Business loans that require 3 month bank statements are a type of financing that considers your business's cash flow and creditworthiness.
These loans are often used by businesses with irregular income or those that are just starting out.
Typically, lenders will request 3 months' worth of bank statements to assess your business's financial stability and ability to repay the loan.
By reviewing your bank statements, lenders can get a clear picture of your business's income and expenses, helping them make a more informed decision about your loan application.
What Is a Loan?
A loan is a type of financing where a borrower receives money from a lender in exchange for a promise to repay it with interest.
Loans can be secured or unsecured, with secured loans requiring collateral such as a property or asset to guarantee repayment.
Businesses often use loans to cover short-term cash flow gaps or invest in new projects.
Loans can have varying repayment terms, ranging from a few months to several years.
The lender's interest rate and fees can significantly impact the overall cost of the loan.
Businesses need to carefully consider their financial situation and loan requirements before applying for a loan.
Loan Qualification
To qualify for a business loan using 3-month bank statements, you need to be self-employed or in your current line of work for at least two years.
You'll need to provide consistent deposits into your bank account, without overdrafts or transferring money between accounts to cover expenses. Lenders are looking for a clean and accurate picture of your financial situation.
To get started, you'll need to gather the necessary documents, which typically include your application, photo ID, entity documents, professional license, bank statements, and supporting documents to verify deposits.
Bank statement loans are alternative mortgage programs that use a borrower's business or personal bank statements to determine monthly income for financing. These loans are intended for self-employed borrowers and real estate investors whose significant tax write-offs are a roadblock to qualifying for conventional or jumbo mortgages.
Lenders will typically request 3-24 months of deposit history, and expenses will be calculated based on 50% of deposits. You may also be able to provide a profit and loss statement from your CPA to maximize your loan amount.
Here are the key items you'll need to qualify for a business loan using 3-month bank statements:
- Application
- Photo ID/SSN Card
- Entity: Articles, Bylaws/Operating Agreement, & EIN
- Professional License
- Bank Statements (3, 12, or 24 months)
- Supporting Documents to Verify Deposits
Remember, lenders will scrutinize your bank statements to assess your financial reliability, so it's essential to have a clear and accurate picture of your financial situation.
Self-Employed
As a self-employed individual, you know how challenging it can be to qualify for a traditional mortgage. You've got a great business idea, a solid income, but your tax strategy is to incorporate losses and write off all expenses, reducing your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to a very low number in relation to your top line revenue.
You've worked hard to build your business, and now you're ready to take the next step and invest in a new property. But how do you qualify for a mortgage when your income is not easily verifiable? The answer lies in bank statement loans.
To qualify for a bank statement loan, you need to be self-employed or in your current line of work for at least two years. You'll also need to steer clear of overdrafts or transferring money between accounts to cover expenses. Lenders are looking for consistent deposits into your bank account.
Here are the key items you'll need to obtain a bank statement loan:
- Application
- Photo ID/SSN Card
- Entity: Articles, Bylaws/Operating Agreement, & EIN
- Professional License (real estate, general contractor, attorney, medical professional, etc.)
- Bank Statements (3, 12, or 24 months)
- Investment Statement (for asset depletion loan)
- Supporting Documents to Verify Deposits (final settlement statements if a house flipper, invoices, real estate commissions, etc.)
- Insurance Dec Page
Once you've gathered all the necessary documents, the loan process typically takes about 3-4 weeks to close. However, appraisal turn time can be a common delay, especially in busy markets like Seattle and Puget Sound.
Bank statement loans are a game-changer for self-employed individuals like you, who may have difficulty qualifying for conventional and jumbo loans. With a bank statement loan, you can get approved for a mortgage without having to provide tax returns or W-2s.
Loan Options and Alternatives
Loan options and alternatives are available for those who need a business loan, but have only 3 months of bank statements. Conventional loans are a great option, offering better interest rates and terms compared to bank statement loans. They're available through virtually every mortgage lender.
If you're a first-time business owner, FHA loans might be a good fit, due to their flexible qualification criteria. However, keep in mind that some loan options, like asset depletion loans, can be costly.
Here are some other loan options to consider:
- FHA loans
- VA loans (for eligible service members, veterans, and surviving spouses)
- Asset depletion loans (but be aware of the costs)
- DSCR loans (for real estate investors)
- Interest-only loans (but be aware of the potential for higher costs later on)
- Portfolio loans (with more flexible qualifying standards, but often reserved for high-value customers)
Loan vs. Mortgage
Traditional mortgages are more common than bank statement loans, but they're geared towards borrowers with consistent, verifiable income.
You can get approved for a conventional loan with a down payment as low as 3 percent and a minimum 620 credit score.
Bank statement loans, on the other hand, cater to self-employed borrowers or those with inconsistent income.
They typically come with eligibility guidelines that differ from traditional mortgages.
Non-QM
Non-QM loans are a type of mortgage that doesn't meet the conforming standards set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This means they're considered riskier than typical mortgages.
Non-QM loans allow more borrowers to qualify for a loan, but they tend to have higher interest rates, making them cost more. They also lack some of the consumer protections that conforming loans have.
A non-QM loan could negatively amortize or include a balloon payment. This is because they're not backed by Fannie and Freddie, so there's less protection for lenders and borrowers.
Here's a breakdown of the characteristics of non-QM loans:
Non-QM loans are closely related to bank statement loans, which are also considered riskier than typical mortgages.
Alternatives
If you're exploring mortgage loan options, you might be surprised to learn that bank statement loans aren't your only choice. Conventional loans, for instance, offer much better interest rates and terms compared to bank statement loans. They're available through virtually every mortgage lender, making them a more accessible option.
FHA loans are another popular choice, especially for first-time homebuyers, due to their flexible qualification criteria. VA loans, on the other hand, are a great option for eligible service members, veterans, and surviving spouses, who can obtain a VA-backed mortgage with no money down.
Asset depletion loans are an option if you have significant assets but no income, but be aware that these loans can be costly. It might make more sense to sell some assets to get the funds to buy a home.
Here are some alternative loan options to consider:
- Conventional loans
- FHA loans
- VA loans
- Asset depletion loans
- DSCR loans
- Interest-only loans
- Portfolio loans
3M + YTD P&L
Using 3-Month Bank Statements + YTD P&L can be a great option for borrowers who want to qualify for a mortgage without providing 12 months of bank statements. This method is ideal for house flippers who have a high income in a short period.
To qualify, you'll need to provide 3 months of bank statements and a year-to-date profit and loss (P&L) statement signed off by your CPA. This method is a good choice when you have a high income in a short period, but your average income over 12 months is lower.
Here are the typical requirements for this method:
- 3 months of bank statements
- YTD P&L statement signed off by your CPA
The lender will calculate your income as the average of the monthly net income on your P&L statements. Keep in mind that bank deposits must be within +/- 10% of your P&L statements, and you may need to provide additional consecutive bank statements if there are discrepancies.
By using this method, you may be able to qualify for a mortgage with a higher loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, which means you'll need a smaller down payment. However, individual lenders may have different requirements, so be sure to check with your lender for specific details.
Financial Requirements and Calculations
To qualify for a business loan with 3-month bank statements, lenders will consider your gross bank deposits minus a reasonable expense ratio to calculate your income.
Lenders will total all deposits each month to calculate gross income, but transfers between different accounts owned by the same borrower usually aren’t credited as a deposit.
Your bank statements will be reviewed to determine a borrower’s income, and this method can be beneficial for borrowers with irregular income or those who have recently started their business.
When You Need a CPA
You can still qualify for a mortgage even if you don't have a CPA. Many business owners have plenty of income, but don't regularly use a CPA or have months of detailed profit and loss statements at hand.
Some lenders will go through your bank statements and estimate your pro rata income by subtracting the business's withdrawals from the deposits each month and multiplying the result by your ownership percentage in the business.
You may need to provide 3-month bank statements plus a year-to-date profit & loss statement signed off by your CPA, depending on the lender's requirements.
How Income is Calculated
Calculating income for a mortgage can be a bit tricky, but it's essential to understand the process. Most mortgages require borrowers to qualify through their W2s, 1099s, pay stubs, and tax returns to determine income.
However, bank statement loans use a different approach. Lenders will total all deposits each month to calculate gross income, excluding transfers between different accounts owned by the same borrower.
The frequency of bank statements required can vary, with some lenders using 1-3 month bank statements, while others require 12-24 months' worth of statements. Bank deposits must be within +/- 10% of the P&L statements.
To give you a better idea, here's a breakdown of the different methods lenders use to calculate income based on bank statements:
- Method 3: P&L plus business accounts (3 months' statements)
- Method 4: P&L plus business accounts (12-24 months' statements)
These methods require a combination of a P&L statement and bank statements. The P&L statement must be signed by a licensed and certified tax preparer, and bank deposits must be consistent with the P&L statements.
The lender will calculate your income as the average net income from the most recent 12 to 24 months' P&L statements. This can lead to better loan terms, including a higher loan-to-value (LTV) ratio.
Investor-Specific Loans
For investors looking to secure a business loan, there are specific options available that cater to their needs. One such option is the Bank Statement Home Loan, which can be qualified for with just 3-24 months of deposit history.
No tax returns are required, making it easier for investors to apply. Expenses are calculated based on 50% of deposits, which can be increased with a profit and loss statement from a CPA.
Investors also have access to a wide range of lenders through these bank statement loans, providing the largest access to funding options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bank statements as proof of income for a loan?
Yes, bank statements can be used as proof of income for a loan, but they must show a consistent and sufficient income to meet lender requirements.
Sources
- https://www.fctd.com/loan-scenarios/bank-statement-loans
- https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/bank-statement-loan/
- https://www.docsumo.com/blogs/bank-statement-extraction/verification-business-loan
- http://davidakrebs.com/bank-statement-loan-calculation-methods/
- https://trussfinancialgroup.com/bank-statement-mortgages
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