Before you borrow from any commercial lender, first make sure that your anticipated loan amount falls comfortably within dollar range that lender is willing to provide. Most lender's have a minimum loan amount of 100k to 300k although you will find occasional institution willing to make loans as low as 25k. While majority of lenders have a loan ceiling reaching $10 million, a few of largest have no limit.

Some commercial lenders also provide opportunities to refinance property that you've previously purchased. While a .5% decrease in interest may not seem like a big deal on a $25,000 loan, it can save you a substantial amount of money on your $50 million loan. A flexible lender may even give you option of borrowing to avoid foreclosure. While this should always be option of last resort, it may buy you enough time to make your business profitable enough to survive a sudden cash flow crisis.

Whether you plan to purchase an apartment complex, industrial facility, or retail outlet, there are few people you'll work more closely with than your commercial lender. When it comes to starting or expanding a business, make sure that your lender is as vitally concerned with your success as you are. After all, they want a return on their investment. It's important to find a commercial lender who is small enough to give you personal attention you will need, but large enough to support your largest commercial real estate acquisitions while giving you options and interest rates that will allow your business to take off.

However, not paying much mind to my statements, I did not know bank sent me a notice that it would raise my rate if I used card past a certain date. I did and I found myself facing an interest rate of 24%. Calling bank and complaining and threatening to take my business elsewhere had no effect.

After that I started to pay more attention to those little slips of paper. Twice more different lenders tried to do same thing. But I followed directions on amendments to credit agreement and wrote bank within time frame given, telling them to cancel my account. You must no longer use card afterward. If you do, you’ve accepted new terms in spite of your letter and you’re stuck with them.

If you have any automatic charges being made to card, including things like credit insurance that lender itself sells you, make sure they are cancelled in writing before cutoff date. One little automatic charge will also constitute an acceptance of changes in credit terms. The bottom line is that lender will consider any little slip in its favor and hit you with higher rate.

As long as you continue to pay your bill under terms of original agreement, bank can do nothing about it. You can pay off bill at whatever pace you see fit, as long as you make minimum payment.

I consider lenders’ actions as akin to kicking you while you’re down. Most people wouldn’t be using up their available credit unless they were already struggling. My credit card payments went up $46 per month on that card. I saved thousands by refusing to go along with other proposed increases.

The issuer of one of my cards that has carried a zero balance for several years has been periodically raising rate to where it is about 25%.

Know your credit card rights and fight back. If you’ve haven’t gone completely over edge yet, you might find a lender willing to work with you.