← The network
Lenders
Lenders for buyers.
Funds the larger part of most small-business acquisitions. In the US that is usually a bank writing an SBA 7(a) loan, sometimes a non-bank lender, and often a seller note sitting behind the bank. A lender who has closed acquisitions in your size band knows what the file needs before you do.
When you need one
As soon as you have a rough size in mind. A pre-qualification conversation early tells you what you can afford and what the seller's books will need to show. Bring the lender in properly once you have an offer accepted.
Worth asking before you work together
- 1How many acquisition loans did you close last year, and at what size?
- 2What is the smallest equity injection you have accepted, and where can it come from?
- 3How do you treat a seller note and an earn-out in the structure?
- 4What in the seller's financials most often kills a file at underwriting?
- 5How long from a signed letter of intent to funds, in practice?
Listed lenders
List yourselfNo lenders listed yet. If that is you, put yourself forward.