Things to Know When Making Your Wife a Guarantor for Your Business

Most small and medium businesses need to stabilize before they can make profits. This initial phase requires capital and may make or break a new business venture. That is why most startup owners look for funding or business loans to meet their immediate asset creation and working capital needs. Now, getting a business loan can be a harrowing experience if it is your first ever project. Indian banks are already reeling from a bad loan crisis and are particularly wary of lending to new SMEs. Plus, banks need a guarantor who will vouch for you in case of a loan default.

What is the role of a guarantor?

A guarantor is the surety provider for repaying a debt if or when the original borrower fails to repay the debt. He or she signs a document to that effect and hence the guarantor is contractually obliged to repay the debt of the principal borrower in the case of default.

According to a Supreme Court of India verdict, the guarantor becomes equally liable for repaying a debt when a loan goes bad. Therefore, if you have made your wife or a close relative your guarantor for a small business loan, chances are that they will be dragged into legal troubles if you fail to service the liability.

Furthermore, the loan contract also gives the lender the power to attach the property of a guarantor (in this case the wife) to recover the loan amount.

How to safeguard your wife’s assets in advance?

There are two scenarios in which a lender cannot attach the asset of your spouse in a loan default recovery case.

1. Register your business as LLP: New businesses are run under several categories such as sole proprietorship, partnership, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or private limited. In case of LLPs, the assets of inactive partners cannot be attached in a loan recovery lawsuit.
2. Set up a Parental Trust: Discretionary trusts set up at the time of a daughter’s marriage are also exempt from business loan recovery proceedings. Having one set up for your would-be wife can help minimize personal asset loss in case of a business failure.

Instances when a lender cannot hold your wife liable in case of a business loan default

• If a woman has no direct or indirect role in her husband’s business, the Married Women’s Property Act prevents lenders from attaching her belongings in the case of loan recoveries.
• If the husband and wife are joint holders of a disputed asset, the lender has to reimburse the wife’s portion upon liquidation of the asset.
• If your wife is a director in the company but not the guarantor, her assets cannot be seized by the lender.

Avoiding the hassles of a business loan from banks

As you can see, there is a lot of hassle and risk involved in securing a business loan from a bank. The red tape, the bureaucratic process and finally the stringent terms dictating recoveries are simply not worth the trouble in this modern day and age. Switching to alternate means of business finance can save you all that trouble and facilitate fast business loans at the same time.

Non-banking financial companies, or NBFCs as they are popularly known, offer instant business loans without any collateral and have a flexible recovery process that allows you a chance to settle the dues. Here are some of the benefits of applying for a business loan with an NBFC.

• Online application and processing allow faster business loan approvals.
• Money is transferred directly into your bank account and instantly available for exploiting new business opportunities.
• Minimal processing charges and lower interest rates reduce the payback burden on your books.
• Break down your loan repayments in bi-weekly or monthly installments or repay early without a worry as there are no prepayment charges.
• Reapply for a business loan and get the previously sanctioned loan amount instantly.

These benefits, not only allow you to get loans quicker but also help your business grow faster, which means you are better equipped to face a financial blowback. Moreover, the recovery process is also very business friendly as NBFCs allow you to restructure your loans in cases of market upheavals.

Concluding thoughts

When you are setting up a new business, it is always a wise thing to have a comprehensive look at the business scenarios that will benefit you and the scenarios in which things can go south. Making your wife a guarantor for your business loan liabilities is one of those things. While, initially, it may seem like a good choice if your wife has a business of her own or has significant personal wealth, you may soon realize your mistake if things do not work as planned on the business front. Thus, taking some prudent steps in advance will help you and your wife avoid simultaneous bankruptcy. Moreover, financing your business through a FinTech lender like Lendingkart may be a better alternative altogether. Non-banking financial companies offer business-friendly financial products and services and are better suited for small and medium enterprises looking for business loans up to ₹ 1 crore.

Want to apply for a business loan with Lendingkart? Check your Eligibility.