What is a term loan and how does it work?
A term loan, also called an instalment loan, long-duration credit facility, or fixed-period borrowing instrument, is a structured financial product wherein a lender disburses a lump-sum principal amount to the borrower, who repays it through equated monthly instalments (EMIs) over a predetermined repayment tenure. The EMI comprises both principal repayment and interest accrual, ensuring the loan is fully amortised by the end of the tenure. Term loans are used for capital expenditure, business expansion, machinery acquisition, working capital augmentation, and asset purchase. In Coimbatore, Katir Associates facilitates term loan approval with competitive interest rates, flexible repayment structures, and minimal documentation for salaried professionals, self-employed entrepreneurs, MSMEs, and large enterprises.
What is the difference between a term loan and a working capital loan?
A term loan, also referred to as a long-term borrowing facility or fixed-tenure credit instrument, is a lump-sum disbursement repaid over a fixed period through EMIs and is typically used for asset creation, machinery purchase, factory expansion, or business scaling. A working capital loan, also known as a short-term operational credit facility or revolving credit line, is designed to finance day-to-day business operations such as inventory procurement, raw material purchase, salary disbursement, and accounts receivable management. The key difference is that a term loan has a defined amortisation schedule while a working capital loan operates on a drawdown-and-repayment cycle.
What are the types of term loans available?
Term loans are classified into multiple subtypes based on tenure, purpose, and security. A short-term loan, also called a bridge loan or working capital term loan, has a tenure of up to 12 months and is used for immediate cash flow needs. A medium-term loan, also referred to as an intermediate credit facility, has a tenure of 1 to 5 years and is used for equipment purchase, vehicle acquisition, or business expansion. A long-term loan, also known as a fixed-tenure facility or amortised credit instrument, has a tenure of 5 to 10 years and is used for infrastructure development, factory setup, and large-scale capital projects. Additionally, term loans can be secured (backed by collateral such as property, machinery, or inventory) or unsecured (based on creditworthiness and income assessment).
What documents are required for a term loan application?
Documents required for a term loan include identity proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, driving licence), address proof (utility bills, voter ID, rent agreement), income proof (salary slips for the last 3 months, Form 16, Income Tax Returns for the last 2 years, profit and loss statement, balance sheet), bank statements for the last 6 to 12 months, business registration documents (GST registration, incorporation certificate, partnership deed, MSME Udyam registration), collateral documents (property papers, machinery invoices, stock statements), and a completed loan application form with passport-size photographs.
What is the interest rate on term loans in Coimbatore?
Term loan interest rates in Coimbatore typically range from 10% to 18% per annum depending on the borrower's credit score (CIBIL score above 750 qualifies for the lowest slab), annual turnover, business vintage, loan amount, repayment tenure, and whether the loan is secured or unsecured. Secured term loans, also called collateral-backed lending facilities, carry lower interest rates between 10% and 14% per annum, while unsecured term loans, also known as signature-based credit instruments, range from 14% to 18% per annum.
Can I prepay or foreclose a term loan early?
Yes, a term loan can be prepaid or foreclosed before the end of the original tenure. Prepayment, also known as early repayment or advance settlement, involves paying a portion of the outstanding principal before the due date, reducing the overall interest burden. Foreclosure, also referred to as full early settlement or loan termination, involves repaying the entire outstanding principal in a single lump-sum payment. Most lenders charge a prepayment penalty or foreclosure fee ranging from 2% to 5% of the outstanding principal, though some institutions waive this penalty for floating-rate term loans as per RBI guidelines.
What is the eligibility criteria for a term loan?
Salaried individuals must be between 21 and 60 years of age with a minimum monthly income of ₹25,000, a CIBIL score of 650 or above, and at least 2 years of employment history. Self-employed professionals must have a minimum annual income of ₹3 lakhs, a business vintage of at least 2 years, and a CIBIL score above 650. MSMEs and businesses must demonstrate a minimum annual turnover of ₹10 lakhs, valid GST registration, and audited financial statements for the last 2 years.
How long does it take to get a term loan approved?
Term loan approval time typically ranges from 3 to 15 working days depending on the lender, loan amount, and documentation completeness. Small ticket term loans up to ₹10 lakhs can be approved within 3 to 5 working days for pre-qualified borrowers. Medium to large term loans between ₹10 lakhs and ₹5 crores may take 7 to 15 working days due to additional verification including collateral valuation, credit committee review, and legal scrutiny of property documents.
What is the maximum loan amount available under a term loan?
The maximum term loan amount varies based on the borrower's income, business turnover, creditworthiness, and collateral provided. Salaried individuals can avail term loans up to ₹50 lakhs. Self-employed individuals and small businesses can access term loans up to ₹5 crores with adequate collateral. Large enterprises and MSMEs can secure term loans up to ₹50 crores or more depending on project cost, cash flow projections, and security offered.
What is the difference between a fixed-rate and floating-rate term loan?
A fixed-rate term loan, also called a constant-rate borrowing facility, carries an interest rate that remains constant throughout the entire loan tenure, providing EMI predictability. A floating-rate term loan, also known as a variable-rate lending facility, has an interest rate that fluctuates based on external benchmarks such as the RBI repo rate, the lender's MCLR, or the External Benchmark Lending Rate (EBLR). Floating-rate loans typically start with a lower initial rate but carry the risk of EMI increases if benchmark rates rise.
Can a self-employed person get a term loan in Coimbatore?
Yes, self-employed individuals, sole proprietors, and business owners can avail term loans in Coimbatore. Eligibility requires a minimum business vintage of 2 years, annual income of ₹3 lakhs or above, a CIBIL score of 650 or higher, and audited financial statements. Self-employed borrowers can access term loans ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 crores depending on business turnover and repayment capacity.
What happens if I default on my term loan EMI?
Defaulting on a term loan EMI triggers a late payment penalty, typically ranging from 1% to 3% of the overdue amount. Repeated defaults result in the loan account being classified as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) after 90 days of continuous default as per RBI guidelines, negatively impacting your CIBIL score. The lender may initiate recovery proceedings or legal action under the SARFAESI Act for secured loans. Katir Associates provides debt restructuring advisory to help borrowers negotiate revised repayment terms and avoid NPA classification.
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