Most businesses in the United States apply for loans at some point. Lenders are willing to give loans to businesses, but, they are also in business and need to protect their interests. That’s generally how a personal guarantee comes about. A registered business is usually a legal entity that is distinct from its owners. This simply means lenders will lose out whenever a business is unable to repay its loan, lease, or mortgage with no personal guarantee. To avoid this, lenders came up with personal guarantees. This ensures that when businesses default on their payments, the owners or their shareholders will be liable for the debt. When a business owner signs a personal guarantee, the lender knows they can trust that person to pay back the loan if the enterprise is ever unable to make payments.
As much as this is now common for most corporate loans, businesses can still get some credit cards without tying their name or assets to them. But before we highlight some of these cards, let’s see what the personal guarantee is all about.
Personal Guarantee
A “personal guarantee” refers to a person’s legally binding promise to repay credit extended to a business for which they are an executive or partner. In the event that the business is unable to repay the loan, providing personal guarantees implies accepting personal financial responsibility for the remaining sum. This simply means the creditor can relax knowing that they will get back their money via the personal guarantee if the business is unable to pay back the debt.
Types of Personal Guarantees
There are generally two types of personal guarantees. These are limited and unlimited personal guarantees.
#1. Limited Guarantee
When more than one business partner takes out a loan for the company together, they most often use limited guarantees. A limited personal guarantee is a promise to pay back a business loan with your own money. But it limits the amount the borrower can get back from each shareholder. For instance, if a business is unable to pay back its loan, you’ll have to split the cost with any shareholder who owns at least 20% of your business. There are, however, two different kinds of limited guarantees: several guarantees and a joint and several guarantees.
#2. Unlimited Guarantees
A personal guarantee with no limits is a promise to pay back a business loan with all of your personal assets if payment defaults. To most lenders, it’s a form of insurance. As long as you pay back the business loan, you can keep the things you own. If you don’t pay back the business loan, the lender can take you to court to get the money back. An unlimited personal guarantee means that a principal will be liable for the total amount in the event of default. Here, the lender can go as far as taking over assets just to recoup his debt.
The Personal Guarantees Process (How it Works)
Generally, a personal guarantee is common in credit agreements to guarantee corporate capital. They frequently work for startups and small businesses, as well as individuals. But these are people with insufficient credit histories and other types of credit on their own. A personal guarantee is more like a promise that proprietors make on behalf of the firm. It’s a promise to repay a loan with their own funds in the event that the company is unable to. To put it another way, the principal or owner of the company cosigns the credit application.
Lenders may require business owners or executives to provide a personal guarantee to get loans if the company is too new or has a bad credit history. The business owner’s credit history and profile, are the essential foundations for underwriting. The personal guarantee must provide two things. First, is his or her Social Security Number (SSN) for a hard credit search and information about their individual income. Additionally, they must also submit the company’s financial documents and employer identification number (EIN).
Small business owners and executives frequently start out by investing a sizable sum of their own cash. They provide personal guarantees to get loans because they have an interest in the founding and development of their business. Companies can be forced to pay creditors in monthly payments as a result, rather than rewarding equity investors.
Credit Cards for Business With No Personal Guarantee
Personal guarantee credit cards for businesses with no personal guarantee, as the name implies, are generally business credit cards that don’t need a personal guarantee tied to them. This means the credit card is not tied to your personal assets or accounts. The best business credit cards without a personal guarantee requirement were chosen based on the following;
- Welcome bonuses,
- Annual Fees
- Rewards programs, and other perks.
The best option for the vast majority of clients, however, might not be the best option for you. Make sure to undertake careful research before choosing a credit card. Of course, it must best suit your spending patterns and financial goals.
#1. Sam’s Club® Business MasterCard
First on our list of best credit cards for business with no personal guarantee is Sam’s Club Mastercard. This business credit card comes with diverse benefits. First, it exempts membership fees and has no annual fee. It also provides competitive rewards for companies that frequently dine or order takeout and spend a moderate amount on petrol. In fact, the Sam’s Club Business Mastercard is probably the most useful for shoppers at Sam’s Club and businesses who have Plus memberships.
#2. The Stripe Corporate Card
To get a Stripe corporate card, you’ll have to receive an invite from a member. You only need a Stripe corporate account to apply for one. If luck shines on you, you will receive a card that has no annual, late, or foreign transaction fees. The top expense tracking software programs, including Quickbooks, Expensify, and Xero are compatible with the Stripe Corporate Card’s partner offerings. It offers dynamic credit limits that change with your business and immediately credit your awards.
#3. Ramp’s Business Card
Another credit card that doesn’t require a personal guarantee on the application is the Ramp Business Card. Despite not having travel or lifestyle advantages like other business cards, it has no annual fee, earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and provides more than $175,000 in potential partner incentives.
#4. Brex 30 Card
The Brex 30 Card does not need a guarantee because it bases credit limits on cash flow and evaluates a business’ eligibility for qualification based on spending patterns and sales volume. This implies that business owners without established or good credit are excluded from having to go through a credit check. Companies can often get a Brex card if they have $50,000 in well-managed funds or $100,000 in cash in a bank account.
#5. Office Depot® Business Credit Account
Only Office Depot or Office Max stores, both online and offline, accept payments made using the Office Depot® Business Credit Account* because it is a closed-loop card. Your business can replace needed supplies using a credit account without risking the owner’s personal assets by applying for the card without offering a personal guarantee.
Personal Guarantee Loan
A personal guarantee is the pledge to repay a business loan using personal assets in the event that the borrower’s firm defaults. A personal guarantee is similar to commercial collateral in that it provides lenders with certainty and permits some firms to secure the loan they might not otherwise be qualified for. The vast majority of business loans have personal guarantees. Before you sign one, though, be sure you know what it can mean for your business and personal finances.
Do All Business Loans Require Personal Guarantees?
No, not all business loan requires a guarantee. Personal guarantees are quite usual for the majority of business debt, including term loans, business lines of credit, and some company credit cards. Even “unsecured” loans could require a personal guarantee.
- Government lenders: Unlimited personal guarantees are required from borrowers who own 20% or more of the business seeking an SBA loan.
- Bank borrowers: The following lenders require personal guarantees for one or more of their business financing solutions:
- Bank of America
- Navy Federal.
- Chase.
- PNC Bank.
- Internet lenders: A personal guarantee is nearly always required for online loan applications. These lenders, for instance, need a personal guarantee for one or more of their business financing products:
- OnDeck.
- Funding Circle
- Capital for Credibility.
- Kabbage.
- Fundbox.
Is It Possible to Obtain a Business Loan Without a Personal Guarantee?
Yes, it’s very much possible, but this depends on the business loan in question. Despite the fact that most lenders prefer one, a 2020 Federal Reserve survey of small-business financing revealed that just 59% of businesses with debt used a personal guarantee to cover that debt. As a result, it is possible to get a company loan without offering a personal guarantee, but you’ll likely need to come up with a different solution to appease the lender.
For instance, by submitting a larger deposit or a letter of credit, it would be possible to avoid providing a personal guarantee. Additionally, borrowers may be able to persuade lenders to accept a limited personal guarantee that only attaches to selected assets of the borrower or that expires after a predetermined period of time.
Just because a loan is unsecured does not mean that it is not necessary. Since these loans are not secured by real property or other tangible assets, such as machinery, a lender will frequently want a personal guarantee or lien to help ensure repayment.
Should I Put Up My Personal Signature as Security For a Loan or My Business?
Personal guarantees for business loans can be difficult to avoid. But remember to consider the following before signing one:
#1. Are you certain that your business will be able to repay the loan and uphold the other loan conditions?
To determine whether the business can reliably make the payments, review your financial records and business plan. Even if the math makes sense, keep in mind that if the company makes the required payments but violates any other loan terms, the lender may still consider it in default.
#2. Do you understand the terms of the personal guarantee?
Ascertain your future financial responsibilities, the duration of the payback period, and whether the lender would go after certain assets you own first.
#3. Do you have the funds to repay the loan in the event that the company defaults?
Once you are aware of the conditions that would render you personally liable for the loan, think about whether you would be able to tolerate a drop in your credit standing and general financial stability.
Personal Guarantee Mortgage
Through a personal guarantee, a borrower pledges their own assets as security for a commercial mortgage. Because this unsecured written pledge is not tied to a specific asset, like a house, it may be satisfied from any percentage of the borrower’s assets.
In the event that the investor defaults on the loan, a personal guarantee gives the lender the right to go after the owner’s home, money, and other assets in order to collect damages. Even if the owner of the property declares bankruptcy, the lender may still require the guarantor to repay the whole amount of the loan. Only personal bankruptcy, not just business bankruptcy, would be able to discharge this debt.
Personal guarantees are frequently required when a company doesn’t have enough credit to adequately secure the loan in line with the lender’s preferences or to address anticipated risks in the commercial mortgage lender’s underwriting. Many lenders prefer personal guarantees because they believe that if the owners of commercial properties are severely dependent on prompt repayment of the loans for their own financial stability, they will be more responsible and less likely to default.
Personal Guarantee Lease
In the past, it wasn’t common to require a personal guarantee on a commercial lease, but after the 2008 financial crisis, demand for such guarantees has considerably increased. A commercial lease is a big commitment for a company, much like a loan is, and the leasing company wants to be sure that the lease will be honored even if the company files for bankruptcy. The landlord will almost definitely request a personal guarantee in exchange for the rent and common area maintenance (CAM) expenses.
The personal guarantee is a term of the lease, but there may still be an opportunity for dialogue between the landlord and the business owner. There may be a few possibilities accessible from each side. One of them is a time frame designated for the personal guarantee, such as the first four years of a ten-year lease arrangement. If the landlord has enough faith in the business owner after the first four years, the conditional provision could be eliminated. A line of credit or a letter of credit that might take the place of other assets could be used as a backup source. This won’t be necessary unless payments can’t be made.
If you need assistance with these matters, there may be some other possibilities, but it’s critical to obtain legal counsel before signing a business lease as a personal guarantee. There are certain provisions that could change before the agreement is finished, and there are other things that could need to be clarified. Legal assistance could be very beneficial in preventing issues.
Personal Guarantee vs Collateral
There are two ways to ensure a lender that you will repay your debt. The first is collateral, and the second is with personal assurances. A loan from the SBA may require both, so prepare to provide them both.
The lender may be able to seize the collateral, such as your house or your company’s goods, if your company is unable to repay the loan. A personal guarantee may or may not outline your financial strategy for paying the debt back using your assets.
What happens if I am unable to provide collateral or a personal guarantee?
If you’re requesting any form of SBA loan, there’s a good chance you’ll have to provide both collateral and a personal guarantee. Even SBA microloans frequently need collateral as well as a personal guarantee. Without them, getting an SBA loan will be challenging. Some online lenders offer unsecured business loans that don’t require collateral. You might still need to put your signature on a personal guarantee, though.
There are a few business credit cards that are also offered without personal guarantees. If you use a credit card to fund a significant purchase, make sure you have the cash flow to pay off your debt on time because credit cards may have high-interest rates.
What is Personal Guarantee?
A personal guarantee is a person’s official promise to pay back credit given to a company for which they work as an executive or partner.
Is a personal guarantee legally binding?
It is a legally enforceable personal commitment to assume the role of the original contracting party.
How strong is a personal guarantee?
By consenting to a personal guarantee, the company borrower accepts full personal liability for the loan’s full repayment as well as any associated legal, collection, or other charges.
What does signing a personal guarantee mean?
A personal guarantee is an understanding between a business owner and a lender that holds the person signing accountable for repaying a loan in the event that the company is ever unable to make payments.
Does a Personal Guarantee Affect Credit Score?
Personal guarantees don’t directly affect your credit history, score, or business credit until you have financial difficulties.
What Disadvantages do Personal Guarantees Provide?
The primary drawback of a personal guarantee is straightforward. You are responsible for the debt if your company is unable to pay it.
What Happens to a Personal Guarantee When the Guarantor Dies?
When the individual guarantor dies, it doesn’t mean that the guarantee obligations are no longer due. If a Debtor doesn’t pay what’s owed under the guarantee, it could become the debt of the Guarantor’s estate.
Does giving personal guarantee affect credit score?
Being a guarantor shouldn’t show up on your Credit Report, but if you don’t make any payments that the borrower has missed, you could end up with negative marks that will lower your Credit Rating and make it harder to get credit.
Conclusion
It’s very possible to get a business loan without personal guarantees, but, this depends on the amount in question. Most lenders demand one excess for some credit card companies. It’s a big risk that can be disastrous if care is not taken. Imagine what will happen if the business eventually defaults on the debt, trust me you do not wish for that to happen.
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