FINANCING

Start-up businesses can get capital by seeking loans from formal lending institutions like banks/ rural banks, cooperatives or Micro-Finance Institutions (MFI’s). Learn more financing institutions.

However, some budding entrepreneurs don’t access conventional financing because of fear of documentary requirements, lack of collateral, or inexperience. They end up digging into their savings, maxing out their credit cards or mortgaging their homes. In fact, home-equity loans are one of the most popular borrowing routes.

There are other ways of getting capital funding:

• Own savings
• Borrowing against your insurance policy -- provided it is a cash-value life insurance. It cuts the value of your insurance benefit, but if you’re relatively young, you’d still have a long time to pay it back. Interest rates typically run in single digits.
• State pension funds -- If you’re an employee, you can also access other sources of low-cost cash through your state pension funds – SSS or GSIS salary loans or a PAG-IBIG Fund multi-purpose loan. They usually let you borrow at the prime rate, but PAG-IBIG’s interest is relatively the lowest.
• Family loans -- Lastly, you could always try to borrow from your family or relatives, but use this only as your last resort, since there is risk of starting a family feud. Doing business with family is still doing business, so remember to put everything on paper to avoid unnecessary complications.
• High-interest loans -- Pawnshops are also viable sources of funding, and are very accessible. But starting a business is a serious venture and it’s hard to start one using a high-interest loan as capital. Another popular non-formal way to get funding, but which is discouraged, is through five-six loans. This means for every five pesos you borrow, you pay back six pesos after just a few days. Effectively, it is said to be more than 1000% interest rate on an annual basis. So ask yourself if you want to borrow at that rate when you start a business.

Keep in mind that money is not the only capital that you have. Your business skills – your capacity for marketing, people and social skills, technical expertise, even your connections – can be used as capital for your business. Sometimes, by being resourceful, you lessen the need for loans and other expenses.  

Aspiring entrepreneurs should start small, but dream big. Starting small minimizes the financial exposure and the risks involved in business start-ups.  In fact, many successful entrepreneurs nowadays have their inspiring stories to share as most of them started small, either from one small store or peddling operations. By learning from their mistakes and keeping true to their vision, they were able to overcome obstacles and grow their business. Because of their determination, creativity, forecasting skills, and vigilance in reinvesting their profit into the business, these icons and role models have shown that it is possible to become successful.

FINANCING INSTITUTIONS

Need capital? Below are links to resources on funding and financing organizations from both private and public sector.

Financing Resources

• Financing Programs for MSMEs handbook -- Learn about the different government agencies that offer funding for micro, small and medium enterprises by downloading this handbook compiled by DTI .
• Financing Frequently Asked Questions c/o DTI
• Small Business Corporation -- Formerly known as the Small Business Guarantee and Financing Corporation, this government financing institution has more than 16 credit and credit programs, including micro financing through rural and cooperative banks, through NGOs and cooperatives, and through microfinance institutions (MFIs).
• MFI Search Engine -- Find the nearest microfinance institution in your province by searching through the People’s Credit and Finance Corporation database.

Locate MFIs via SMS: If you’re a Globe subscriber, you can also text MICRO FIND [Province],[Town] (ex. MICRO FIND PAMPANGA, LUBAO] and send to 2973 (Php 2.50/text).

Financial Literacy Resources

• Colayco Foundation – Led by personal wealth and finance guru Francisco Colayco, the Foundation works towards empowering Filipinos through books, seminars, media campaigns, and programs on financial literacy.
• Financial Planner (PDF) – This Financial Planner is a learning tool used by IOM and its partner NGO, ATIKHA, in financial literacy training of migrant worker groups, family circles, diaspora communities and trainors from different sectors in order to promote wise spending, savings and investment from migrant remittances.