Question 1

What is a business loan?

Accepted Answer

A business loan is financing issued by a financial institution to a company for business activity – topping up working capital, investments, growth or refinancing. In Latvia, business loans are offered by both banks and non-bank lenders.

Question 2

How can a company secure financing?

Accepted Answer

A company can apply directly to a bank, a non-bank lender or via a financing broker. Working with a broker, the application is sent to several institutions in parallel, saving time and improving the chance of better terms.

Question 3

How fast can financing be secured?

Accepted Answer

Speed depends on the financing type: unsecured non-bank loan – 2–5 business days; secured loan – 2–6 weeks; bank financing – 1–3 months. In urgent cases, bridge financing is available within a few days.

Question 4

What are the requirements for the company?

Accepted Answer

Requirements vary by lender. Banks typically require at least 2 full financial years, stable EBITDA, a filed annual report and a clear growth dynamic. Non-bank lenders are more flexible – they can work with younger companies and non-standard situations. Generally required: annual reports, balance sheet, bank account statement.

Question 5

Can I get a loan without collateral?

Accepted Answer

Yes, unsecured loans are offered by several non-bank lenders in Latvia – funds can be on the account within a few days. They are usually up to €200K–€500K at higher rates. In many cases the owner's personal guarantee is required.

Question 6

What is a loan broker?

Accepted Answer

A loan broker is a financial intermediary who helps the company secure financing. The broker analyses the company, explains the options, selects the most suitable instruments, prepares the application, sends it to the right institutions, negotiates terms and helps choose the best offer. The broker works in the company's, not the bank's, interest.

Question 7

What are the main benefits of working with a broker?

Accepted Answer

Main benefits: lower interest rates (thanks to bank comparison), larger loan amount, longer repayment schedules, lower collateral requirements, access to more than 50 lenders in one place, faster responses and personal support throughout the process.

Question 8

How much do Oferta Finance services cost?

Accepted Answer

Oferta Finance fee model has two parts: an engagement fee (retainer) – a one-off payment for signing the contract and starting work; and a success fee – paid upon successful financing, calculated from the secured amount. Specific percentages are not published – fees depend on the speed and complexity of the deal and are agreed individually before cooperation starts.

Question 9

Are broker services more expensive than going alone?

Accepted Answer

No. Although the broker has a fee (retainer + success fee), the broker's work often leads to better terms – lower rate, longer tenor, fewer collateral requirements. Furthermore, going to a bank alone, the entrepreneur often sees only one bank's offer and cannot compare. In the long run, broker services usually save money.

Question 10

How is the bank or lender selected?

Accepted Answer

Oferta Finance analyses the company profile, financing purpose and financial metrics, then selects the most suitable institutions from the 50+ partner network. Each institution has its own industry preferences, risk appetite and conditions – the broker knows where a specific application best fits.

Question 11

What financing types does Oferta Finance offer?

Accepted Answer

We work with a wide range of instruments: bank loans, unsecured loans, secured loans, refinancing, leasing, factoring, credit lines, real estate development financing (LTV and LTC methods), agricultural and forestry financing, ALTUM programmes, as well as financial restructuring for companies in distress.

Question 12

Can existing loans be refinanced?

Accepted Answer

Yes, refinancing is one of the most common requests. Goals can be: lower interest rate, longer tenor, consolidation of several loans into one or change of lender. The result – better rates, longer tenor and lower monthly payment.

Question 13

How can I improve my chances of getting financing?

Accepted Answer

Key steps: tidy up the balance sheet and increase equity; prepare a quality business plan; resolve tax arrears; ensure stable cash flow; choose the right financing type. Working with a broker, these aspects are optimised before submission – increasing the likelihood of approval.

Question 14

Is there a guarantee that financing will be secured?

Accepted Answer

Guaranteeing financing in 100% of cases is not possible – the financial institution decides. However, Oferta Finance experience shows that most clients secure financing. In the last 2 years we have helped 250+ companies secure more than EUR 24 million in financing.

Question 15

What documents are required?

Accepted Answer

Basic list: annual reports for the last 2–3 years; operational balance sheet (no older than 3 months); bank account statement for the last 12 months; business plan or project description; collateral documents (if applicable). After the application you will receive an exact document list.

Question 16

Can young companies secure financing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but options are more limited. Banks usually require at least 2 years of history, but the non-bank sector has lenders working with younger companies. Important: business plan quality, collateral and the owner's industry experience. ALTUM start-up programmes are also available.

Question 17

How does cooperation with Oferta Finance work?

Accepted Answer

The process consists of 5 steps: 1) Intro call and diagnosis – we understand the situation and assess options; 2) Signing the contract – we sign the financing engagement; 3) Deal preparation and structuring – we prepare documents and a financing strategy; 4) Submission – we submit applications and handle communication with lenders; 5) Negotiation and closing – we negotiate and close the deal.

Question 18

What is the process from application to money?

Accepted Answer

Fill in the application → send the requested documents → we review and prepare the application → send it to financial institutions → receive and compare offers → you choose the best → contract is signed → money is transferred to the account. Total duration: from 1 week to 3 months depending on the financing type.

Question 19

How long does the review process take?

Accepted Answer

In the non-bank sector, an indicative offer is usually received within 2–3 business days. At a bank, the process can take 1–4 weeks to an indicative offer and 1–3 months to full approval and disbursement.

Question 20

Why don't entrepreneurs secure financing when going to the bank alone?

Accepted Answer

More than 80% of applications submitted by companies themselves are rejected – due to incomplete documents, industry risk or a poorly structured application. Moreover, the entrepreneur often sees only one bank's offer and cannot compare terms. The process without a broker usually takes 3–6 weeks, which paralyses business plans.

Question 21

Is Oferta Finance a registered company?

Accepted Answer

Oferta Finance SIA (reg. no. 42103103061) operates as a credit intermediary in accordance with Latvian law. The company has been active since 2019 and has helped 250+ companies secure more than EUR 24 million in financing.

Question 22

Which industries does Oferta Finance work with?

Accepted Answer

We work with companies from various industries – manufacturing, trade, construction, real estate development, services, agriculture and others. For each application, we select lenders interested in the specific industry.

Question 23

Does Oferta Finance work with companies outside Latvia?

Accepted Answer

Our main focus is Latvian companies. However, we can also help Baltic companies that have business activity in Latvia or are looking for financing from Latvian financial institutions.

Question 24

What if the company is in financial distress?

Accepted Answer

Oferta Finance also offers financial restructuring services for companies in distress. We help analyse the situation, structure existing obligations and find a solution – with both existing and new lenders.

Questions and answers

Pieteikties finansējuma izvērtējumam