Getting a farm or real estate loan doesn’t have to be a scary, uneasy process. Knowing what a lender looks for during the application process can reduce the uneasiness.
Lenders review several credit factors when determining if an applicant is a viable credit risk. Five of those factors are often referred to as the Five C’s. They are: character, capacity, capital, collateral and conditions. This article is the beginning of a five part series that will discuss all five factors. The character factor begins when an applicant makes the initial contact with a loan officer, so this series will begin by discussing the importance of character.
Character
The analysis of character uses specific performance data and a subjective analysis of the applicant. A credit report is the first tool a lender will use to analyze an applicant’s character. The credit report provides a picture of an applicant’s credit worthiness. Unreported liens, missed and late payments are items a lender does not want to see on a credit report.
Check Credit Report Annually
An applicant should annually check their credit report with one of three credit bureaus to ensure that everything is correct. Errors on a credit report can be corrected, but it is a timely process so it is important to know what is on the credit report prior to applying for a loan.
Your Public Record
Lenders will also search public record documents to analyze an applicant’s character. Any type of court record will show up so this should be explained to the lender when the application is submitted.
Your Background
Educational background, length of time at current residence, management ability and experience in the field play a role in determining character. Completing continuing education shows commitment to completing a project.
Management ability is demonstrated by planning for the future through property, crop, life and health insurance, tax management, marketing and cash flow plans. Experience in the field in which you are applying for a loan is vital. An applicant applying for a loan to purchase a farm will need to show their past farming experience. For example, an individual who has grown up on a parent’s farm will be seen as having direct farming experience when they decide to purchase their own farm.
References
References can also play a role in character analysis. Think of a loan application as the beginning of a relationship with this lender. The references listed should be able to provide sound, solid feedback regarding both your financial and personal relationships.
Greg Brown is a Vice President, Team Leader with FCS Financial in Springfield, Mo.
