Thinking about buying or building a veterinary practice? Managing Director of First Financial Bank’s Professional Services Division, Schwanda Flowers, PharmD, provides some insights to help you navigate the business loan process successfully.
We understand your concerns. Many of us at First Financial Bank have been business owners in the past and remember how stressful it was to apply for that first business loan. The process can feel overwhelming, but there are some specific things you can do to make it more manageable.
It’s all about the preparation. Here are some tips to help you prepare to be successful:
1. Build Your Financial Story
As you look to become a business owner (or grow a business), you should know your net worth. An up-to-date personal financial statement is a requirement to be submitted with your loan application. You can find the template here from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Your lender will expect that there may be student debt, but we need to know your net worth outside of those loans. Take your time to be sure the information is accurate – and don’t forget to sign it.
2. Check Out Your Credit Before the Lender Does
Your lender will check your credit as part of the process, but you want to do it first. Give yourself the chance to work with the reporting bureau to clear up any mistakes or be ready to provide context to anything that might appear less than stellar. The three major credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion and you are entitled to a free credit report from each agency every year.
3. Identify Your Advisory Team Early
When your furry patients have a complex issue to address, you may assemble a team of specialists to increase the likelihood for a positive outcome. Buying or building a business is no different. You need a team of professionals with a variety of skills that can round out your expertise. This will include a good accountant, attorney and insurance broker/agent. They will need time to assess, advise and provide you what you need in time to meet deadlines, so plan ahead.
4. Know the Value of Your Planned Acquisition
If you are buying a piece of property to start a practice or planning to acquire an existing practice, you’ll need an accurate assessment of what it is worth before you apply for a loan. Competition for existing veterinary practices from the corporate vet businesses can inflate prices. The bank can’t loan you more than the actual value and will conduct a business appraisal and valuation as part of the loan process. Be prepared and know before you apply.
5. Start at Least 90 Days in Advance to Assign Life Insurance to Bank
You’ll need a variety of insurances to protect your business. One insurance that may not be top of mind is life insurance. If you are applying for an SBA loan, you’ll need to assign your life insurance benefits to the bank (this is not the same as making them a beneficiary). This can take time to establish, so start at least 90 days in advance with your insurance agent. Having this settled well in advance will avoid it slowing down the processing of your loan.
