Loan Proposal Outline - SBA, North Dakota District Office. When applying for a loan, the most important document you must prepare is a written loan proposal. Always begin your proposal with a cover letter or executive summary. Clearly and briefly explain who you are, your business background, the nature of your business, the amount and purpose of your loan request, your requested terms of repayment, how the funds will benefit your business, and how you will repay the loan. Keep this cover page simple and direct.
Many different outlines are available for preparation of a loan proposal.
You may want to contact your commercial lender to determine which format is best for you. Follow your chosen outline to provide more depth. Don't assume the reader is familiar with your industry or your individual business. Always include the industry-specific details to make the reader more comfortable with how your particular business is run and what industry trends effect it. Financial statements should not be older than 90 days.