C&I Loans


Assets America® is a top provider of commercial real estate loans (CRE loans), but we also offer Commercial and Industrial Loans (C&I loans) starting at $10 million.

C&I loans are for businesses rather than individuals. They provide funds for capital expenditures, working capital and other legitimate business financing requirements. C&I loans are usually backed by non-real-estate collateral. In most cases, they provide short-term financing.

In this ultimate guide, we cover:

  • CRE Loans vs C&I Loans
  • Pros and Cons
  • Types of Lenders
  • Types of C&I Loans
  • Online Resources
  • Glossary of C&I Lending Terms
  • Related Articles
  • How Assets America Can Help

Assets America® Offers C&I Loans

We invite you to contact us today to explore a competitively priced C&I loan. Whether you need working capital, new equipment, or some other requirement, we will be happy to work with you. We can do C&I financing up to 100% LTV; this depends of course on your financial qualifications and the age of the asset!  Call us today at (206) 622-3000, or simply fill out the below form for a prompt response!

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The Differences Between CRE Loans and C&I Loans

CRE loans and C&I loans have in common the fact that they are made to businesses. But there are several differences between the two.

Commercial Real Estate Loans 

CRE loans are for real estate, typically to build/acquire income-generating properties such as hotels, apartment buildings (multifamily), office buildings, and retail stores (shopping centers). The volatility of real estate makes CRE loans somewhat more difficult to obtain than C&I loans.

Both commercial real estate loans and C&I loans can overlap, as when equity from refinancing an existing asset loan (a C&I loan) funds a rental-property investment (a commercial real estate loan transaction).

Commercial real estate loans have these characteristics:

  • They are exclusively for the acquisition, refinance, and construction of commercial real estate.
  • CRE loans typically have lower LTV values than home mortgages.
  • Commercial Real Estate loans are often adjustable rate or include balloon payments.
  • CRE Loans can extract equity from an existing property for additional real estate investments.
  • Commercial real estate short-term loans are typically replaced by mini-perm and takeout loans (permanent commercial loans).

High-tech machines purchased with C&I loan funds build a dodge charger

C&I Loans 

Commercial and Industrial loans are applicable to numerous business sectors. For example, these include:

  • Retailers
  • Manufacturers
  • Industrial companies
  • Professional firms
  • Health-care providers
  • Hospitality companies (hotels, motels, etc.)

C&I loans also have these characteristics:

  • Loans are for capital expenses and operations, such as hiring workers, filling seasonal revenue gaps or purchasing equipment.
  • C&I loans may be used for construction activity (but are not collateralized by real estate), although commercial real estate loans are more appropriate for this purpose.
  • C&I loans are typically not secured by real estate collateral but may be secured by other assets such as equipment, accounts receivable or future credit card receipts.
  • Unsecured C&I loans may require a blanket lien that exposes the assets of the business owner to legal claims upon default.
  • C&I lenders, lacking the backing of real estate collateral, must closely monitor borrower cash flows and operations, looking at financial ratios like receivables aging and inventory turnover.
  • Commercial and Industrial loans may be lump sums or revolving lines of credit.
  • C&I short-term loans are frequently granted without the expectation of eventual replacement by a takeout loan, such as in commercial real estate loans.

Commercial & Industrial Loans – Pros & Cons

C&I Loans Infographic with Pros and Cons of C&I lending

 

Bank vs Non-Bank Lenders

In 2016, the Federal Reserve began to report that C&I non-bank lenders were taking C&I loan market share away from traditional banks. The basic reason is that C&I non-bank loans are often easier to obtain. C&I non-bank lenders include commercial lenders such as large private money funds, pension funds, insurance companies, and other institutions.

Non-bank C&I lenders can fund commercial and industrial loans that many typical banks cannot fund due to federal bank regulations. These lenders avoid the often cumbersome rules and regulations that FDIC insured banks must follow in most cases.

For example, non-bank lenders enjoy non-price advantages including credit-line limits, loan covenants, maximum maturity, and collateral requirements.

Another dynamic is risk tolerance. Banks have reserve requirements that limit their ability to assume risk, a factor that is less stringent to nonbank C&I lenders. Asset America® can often provide easier access to funding due to our numerous funding sources, lender relationships, and expert financial package submissions.

Types of C&I Loans

There are at least six types of C&I loans:

  • Secured and Unsecured Term Loans
  • Asset-Based
  • Leasing & Equipment Finance
  • Small Business Administration
  • Merchant Advances
  • Factoring

These C&I loan types vary in several dimensions, including term, pricing, structure and monitoring. Assets America® is proud to participate in the C&I market.

An automobile assembly line with expensive machines financed through C & I lending

1. Secured and Unsecured C&I Term Loans

Short term commercial and industrial loans are typically one to two years. The interest rate may be tied to an index such as LIBOR (London Interbank Offering Rate) or the prime rate, especially if the lender is a bank. However, a non-bank C&I lender may use a different fee structure or different index altogether.

Unsecured short-term C&I loans are granted based on the creditworthiness of the business borrower. Lenders assess cash flows and the business’ cash conversion cycle to verify that the borrower can make the periodic payments.

Secured C&I loans are collateralized by non-real-estate assets of the business. The lender might require a blanket lien that uses personal collateral belonging to the business owners or directors, should a default occur. For a blanket lien to be effective, however, C&I lenders must closely monitor the owners/directors and stand ready to quickly seize and liquidate collateral, if the need arises.

2. Asset-Based C&I Loans

Asset-based loans are short-term. Assets such as inventory and accounts receivable serve as collateral. Lenders must monitor the quality of the collateral. For example, as inventory ages it may become obsolete, damaged or stolen. Receivables that slip beyond 90 days past due might have to be written off. Lenders set a fixed percentage of the underlying assets that serve as collateral to accommodate valuation risk.

Commercial & Industrial loans finance a room full of commercial equipment

3. C&I Leasing/Equipment Finance

Leasing with a bargain purchase option is an alternative way for a business to buy equipment, vehicles and other assets when the lease term has expired. The lease residual value is often low or zero. In general, interest rates are higher than those for C&I term loans, but monthly payments are lower. The equipment under lease is the collateral, which is subject to repossession if a default occurs.

4. Small Business Administration C&I Loan Guarantees

The SBA offers loan guarantees for businesses that would otherwise have trouble qualifying for a loan. SBA loan programs cover both commercial real estate loans and C&I loans. Although the SBA programs widen access to financing, they can be more complex and time-consuming.

Video:  SBA Loans for Businesses Explained

5. C&I Merchant Cash Advances

These are upfront payments predicated upon future credit card receivables, which in turn repay the advance. The commercial and industrial loan lender deducts the loan payments from the credit card payments and forwards the remainder to the borrower.

6. C&I Factoring

Factors provide funding based upon unpaid customer invoices or accounts receivable. The factors might purchase the invoices from the business or might advance a loan to cover a portion of the invoices.

A room full of printers bought with a C&I loan

C&I Loan Glossary

TermDefinition
AcreA parcel of land measuring 43,560 square feet (can be any shape); for reference, a football field is 1.32 acres of land
Square AcreA parcel of land measuring 208.71 feet on each side (a square)
Adequate Truck TurnaroundA term used to denote the amount of space necessary for semi-trucks to smoothly load and unload in succession
Blanket LoanA kind of loan that covers multiple pieces of real estate mortgaged to a single individual or entity
Butler-Type BuildingA kind of pre-engineered and pre-fabricated building often used on commercial and industrial sites
DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio)Also called the "debt coverage ratio" (DCR), it is the ratio of cash available for debt servicing to interest, principal, and lease payments
Defeasance ProcessA means by which borrowers can get out of a mortgage by substituting a portfolio of U.S. Treasury-backed securities for collateral
Exit StrategyThe method by which a venture capitalist or business owner intends to get out of an debt or loan
Light IndustrialRefers to a type of industrial property wherein the day-to-day processes involve minimal heavy-duty usage; common uses include warehousing and storage, utility plants, and distribution centers
Line of Credit (LOC)Also called revolving credit, an LOC is an amount of money extended from the lender to the borrower
Max LTVDenotes the maximum loan-to-value ratio that a lender is willing to agree to lend
Total General ExpensesThe combination of expenses, including rent, repairs & improvements, property taxes, real estate and other professional fees, payroll, etc.
Total Capital ItemsThe combination of all capital expenses for a single property, whether for construction, demolition, or any other kind of development
Trailing BasisReferring to a recently completed time period. For example, trailing 18-month earnings refers to a company's earnings over the 18 months ending on the last day of the most recent month

Online Resources

Related Articles

 

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Testimonials

Eric D.
Pleasure to work with and extremely knowledgeable

Ronny was a pleasure to work with and is extremely knowledgeable. His hard work was never ending until the job was done. They handled a complex lease and guided us through entire process, including the paperwork. Not to mention a below market lease rate and more than all the features we needed in a site. We later used Assets America for a unique equipment financing deal where once again Ronny and team exceeded our expectations and our timeline. Thank you to Assets America for your highly professional service!

exp MFGroup
Great experience with Assets America

Great experience with Assets America. Fast turn around. Had a lender in place in 30 minutes looking to do the deal. Totally amazing. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for financing. Ronny is fantastic. Give them a call if the deal makes sense they can get it funded. Referring all our clients.

William P.
Assets America guided us every step of the way

Assets America guided us every step of the way in finding and leasing our large industrial building with attached offices. They handled all of the complex lease negotiations and contractual paperwork. Ultimately, we received exactly the space we needed along with a lower than market per square foot pricing, lease length and end of term options we requested. In addition to the real estate lease, Assets America utilized their decades-long financial expertise to negotiate fantastic rates and terms on our large and very unique multimillion dollar equipment purchase/lease. We were thankful for how promptly and consistently they kept us informed and up to date on each step of our journey. They were always available to answer each and every one of our questions. Overall, they provided my team with a fantastic and highly professional service!

Bob B.
The company is very capable, I would recommend Assets America

Assets America was responsible for arranging financing for two of my multi million dollar commercial projects. At the time of financing, it was extremely difficult to obtain bank financing for commercial real estate. Not only was Assets America successful, they were able to obtain an interest rate lower than going rates. The company is very capable, I would recommend Assets America to any company requiring commercial financing.

Ricardo L.
Assets America was incredibly helpful and professional

Assets America was incredibly helpful and professional in assisting us in purchasing our property. It was great to have such knowledgeable and super-experienced, licensed pros in our corner, pros upon which we could fully rely. They helped and successfully guided us to beat out 9 other competing offers! They were excellent at communicating with us at all times and they were extremely responsive. Having them on our team meant that we could always receive truthful, timely and accurate answers to our questions. We would most definitely utilize their services again and again for all of our real estate needs.

HMG R&D
Assets America is a great company to work with

Assets America is a great company to work with. No hassles. Recommend them to everyone. Professional, fast response time and definitely gets the job done.

DAC Team
Great experience

Ronny at Assets America has been invaluable to us and definitely is tops in his field. Great experience. Would refer them to all our business associates.

MF Group
We were very pleased with Assets America’s expertise

We were very pleased with Assets America’s expertise and prompt response to our inquiry. They were very straight forward with us and helped a great deal. We referred them to all our business associates.

Manny C.
Worked with this company for decades

I’ve worked with this company for decades. They are reputable, knowledgeable, and ethical with proven results. I highly recommend them to anyone needing commercial financing.

David B.
Top-notch professional

Ronny was incredibly adept and responsive – top-notch professional who arranged impressive term sheets.

Monte M.
Assets America helped us survive a very difficult time

Assets America helped us survive a very difficult time and we most definitely give them 5 stars!

Brent G.
Gave me direction to go

Ronny was very friendly and though we were unable to make something happen at the moment he gave me some direction to go.

Allan E.
Highly recommend them for any type of commercial financing

My business partner and I were looking to purchase a retail shopping center in southern California.  We sought out the services of Ronny, CFO of Assets America.  Ronny found us several commercial properties which met our desired needs.  We chose the property we liked best, and Ronny went to work. He negotiated very aggressively on our behalf. We came to terms with the Seller, entered into a purchase agreement and opened escrow.  Additionally, we needed 80 percent financing on our multimillion-dollar purchase.  Assets America also handled the commercial loan for us.  They were our One-Stop-Shop. They obtained fantastic, low, fixed rate insurance money for us.  So, Assets America handled both the sale and the loan for us and successfully closed our escrow within the time frame stated in the purchase agreement.  Ronny did and performed exactly as he said he would. Ronny and his company are true professionals.  In this day and age, it’s especially rare and wonderful to work with a person who actually does what he says he will do.  We recommend them to anyone needing any type of commercial real estate transaction and we further highly recommend them for any type of commercial financing.  They were diligent and forthright on both accounts and brought our deal to a successful closing.

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