How to Write a Loan Application Letter

Sometimes, taking out a loan can become inevitable. Whether dealing with piled-up medical bills or a financial emergency, it’s common to turn to fast and convenient borrowing options. According to statistics, advances and loans accounted for more than 60% of bank assets in the European Union in 2021. 

If you wish to take out a loan, you’ll have to fill out a loan application or request letter that details what you need the money for and how you’ll use it. The best way to appeal to a lender is by using a convincing tone and showcasing a clear plan for the money. Keep reading as we look at ways you can achieve this and ensure that your loan is granted successfully. 

What is a Loan Application Letter?

A loan application letter is a typed or handwritten letter provided to your lender, helping them decide whether to approve your loan request. This letter is written when the borrower is seeking financial assistance from a lender to pay off some bills or other expenses. 


When Do You Need One?

You might require a loan application letter in the following financing situations:

  • When you wish to borrow money from the SBA (Small Business Administration) since it recommends and encourages applicants to start their loan proposals with an executive summary or a loan application letter
  • When a borrower opts for a loan from a conventional bank lender and has to demonstrate that their business is financially viable and experiencing growth

In some situations, you aren’t required to write a loan application letter. These include scenarios like when a borrower is seeking equipment financing and said equipment serves as collateral, when someone requests a business line of credit with business bank statements or financial statements, and when a borrower seeks a term loan online using alternative lenders who want to go over your recent bank statements. 

Essential Loan Application Elements

There are specific guidelines you need to follow when writing a loan application:

1. Header and Greeting

Whether you’re filling out a loan application letter for a personal or business loan, it’s crucial that you start with a header and greeting. Include several sentences that outline the necessary, accurate details of your loan request in the header. If you’re opting for a business loan, then you need to include the following details:

  • Your name
  • Company name
  • Company phone number
  • Company address
  • Loan agent or lender’s name and title
  • Loan agent or lender’s contact details
  • A subject line stating the desired loan amount

 

Follow this by incorporating a greeting right below the header so that you introduce your application with a friendly tone. 

2. Loan Request Summary

You will have to provide your lender or loan agent with an overview of your loan request in this section. Ensure this section is concise, detailing only crucial information that’ll enable the lender to reach the letter’s body quickly. Entrepreneurs applying for a business loan should state why they are trustworthy borrowers, basic business details, the ideal loan amount, and the use of the loan. 

3. Basic Business Details

It would be best if you started by making a clear loan request which includes the amount you wish to borrow. When you write a few sentences about the workings of your business, they should include the following information:

  • The legal business name 
  • Any DBA used by the organization
  • The amount of time the business has been operating
  • The business structure
  • Number of employees
  • An overview of what the company does
  • Profits and annual revenue, if applicable

Once this is done, you can move on to the next step, which is explaining why you need a loan. Don’t also forget to outline how you plan to repay the owed amount if the lender grants the loan.

4. Loan Usage

Every lender’s goal is to minimize risk as much as possible, so don’t be surprised if they carefully scrutinize your application before deciding whether to accept or disapprove it. They will assess whether you can pay back the loan entirely on time. Make a solid outline of how you intend to use the loan and why granting you the funds is a wise investment. It’s essential to inform the lender that you have clear goals you will accomplish if the loan application is approved. 

5. Proof of How You’ll Pay Back the Loan

In order to show your company’s financial health, you’ll need to use figures from the latest balance sheet or income statement. These records are essential because they demonstrate that you can repay the loan. 

Additionally, you must include any additional business finances to prove you’re a low-risk investment. State down any existing debt and a schedule detailing how you’ll pay it back if you owe someone else money. Perhaps, you’re a new business, but profits are stable. In that case, ensure you mention this, as it proves your ability to repay the loan. 

Once you achieve this, you can add a particular cash flow prediction to give the lender an idea of your payback plan, including the principal and interest amount. 

6. Give Accurate Information

There’s no doubt that lending money is a risky investment. You can make your lender’s life easier by providing factual and correct details to ensure both parties agree with the terms of the deal. For example, include your accurate credit history. If you are dishonest during the loan application process, you will be considered a fraud, and there will be repercussions for your actions. 

Tips for Writing a Loan Application Letter

  • Before sending a loan letter request, check your business and personal credit scores and whether you need to take specific steps to improve them
  • Provide transparent, genuine, and concise explanations
  • Ensure all information is factual and relevant
  • Keep all your financial statements ready, such as business balance sheets, cash flow statements, PSL statements, etc
  • Submit every relevant credential with your loan application request letter
  • Include the date, time, method, and manner you’ll use to make your payment
  • Avoid writing a letter that is unnecessarily wordy and long
  • Follow the rules available online on writing formal letters, so you don’t use an informal tone while assembling your loan application letter
  • Whether including your business’s current assets, liabilities, or financial health, don’t jot down false information that can get you into legal trouble.

Loan Terms and Penalties

If you fail to pay your loan on time, cancellation fees or penalties may apply that depend on the number of days you’re overdue on the payment. For example, if you’ve looked into how to get a title loan with a lien, you know that your car will be used as collateral. In case you default on payment or provide false information, you are likely to lose ownership of the vehicle.

You should go through the loan terms and conditions as this will enable you to determine how many days your payments can be delayed, how much penalties are for late payments, and the amount you’ll be charged if you cancel your loan. Choosing a loan provider that offers the lowest and most amenable terms is recommended. 

Endnote

Whatever reason you have for acquiring a loan, writing a solid loan application letter will improve your chances of obtaining the financial help you need. This application letter should be composed in a polite, convincing tone and include accurate information. You can do thorough research to pick a lender whose provided options align with your requirements. Consider beforehand how much money you need and apply for the relevant loan. 

 

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By Susan Barlow

Dr. Susan Barlow is retired from academia after teaching business administration, project management, and business writing courses for over 20 years.

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