If you’ve been hoping banks will loosen their loan purse strings, Mike Moebs says 2013 may be your year. But, Moebs adds, bankers will make up for continuing low loan rates with higher fees and compensating balances, and risk will be a big part of the loan equation.
“Don’t be misguided by what appear to be really great rates,” Moebs said. “Banks are looking at yield. 2013 will be the year of commercial loan yield.”
Moebs is an economist and CEO of Moebs $ervices Inc., a Lake Bluff economic research firm. More to the point, he is a longtime consultant to banks and credit unions. Moebs’ generally more positive view of the small business loan arena is indeed a positive.
There are, of course, alternatives to bank financing: Accion Chicago, which makes microloans — $50,000 max; private investors, including angel networks; crowdfunding, a popular Internet option; the SBA’s real estate focused 504 loan program, a partnership with banks; and credit unions.
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