#borrowing
Smart borrowing strategies and debt management
The Fed raised rates to 3.75–4% on Sept 16, 2026 and prime hit 7.00% the next day: every prime-plus business line, SBA 7(a) loan and card reprices now.
FHA, VA and USDA mortgages can be assumed at the seller's 3% rate while new loans cost 6.76%; the catch is the equity gap due at closing.
SBA SOP 50 10 8, effective June 1, 2025, dropped the 7(a) collateral trigger from $500,000 to $50,000, requires liens on personal real estate with 25%+ equity for 20%+ owners, and tightened equity injection rules — HELOCs need outside income, seller notes must sit on full standby, and phased ownership buyouts are gone.
A below-market loan triggers Section 7872, which treats forgone interest as taxable income to the lender even when no cash changes hands. This guide covers the $10,000 and $100,000 de minimis exceptions, the gift tax connection, and how charging the AFR avoids the whole problem.
Merchant cash advances can fund your business in 24 hours—but at effective APRs often exceeding 100%. Learn how factor rates work, how to calculate your true cost, when MCAs make sense, and what cheaper alternatives to consider first.
APR bundles a loan's interest rate and all lender fees into a single number, revealing the true cost of borrowing. Learn how to calculate APR, compare competing loan offers, and spot red flags in merchant cash advances and short-term financing.
Understanding the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is essential for making informed financial decisions when applying for business loans or credit cards. This guide clarifies what APR is, how it differs from the interest rate, and why it matters for borrowers.
