The Latino population in the US is considered the biggest minority and the fastest-growing demographic. Thanks to its contribution, the US economy is growing, and we are seeing more young entrepreneurs.
So, does this mean the Hispanic business community within the US is getting equal opportunities?
The simple answer is NO. While we are noticing more Hispanic business owners, most of these entrepreneurs still report higher discrimination, especially when it comes to finance.
Three years ago, when I started my small business, I had no capital or seed money. When I applied for a loan, I was denied multiple times. Apart from this, investors were hesitant because of my young age and Hispanic origin.
Three years, decent experience in businesses, and a few successful side hustles later, I am still noticing the same financial challenges.
So, why are Latino entrepreneurs facing so many financial challenges? What are some of the common financial challenges faced by Latino entrepreneurs, and ways to avoid these issues?
If you are also a young aspiring business owner living within the US, then keep reading. We will mainly look at some of the basic financial issues faced by Latino business owners and the best ways to resolve these issues.
Common Financial Challenges Faced By Latino Entrepreneurs
- Language Barriers
Most Hispanic Entrepreneurs, particularly first- or second-generation Hispanics, usually use Spanish as a basic medium of communication with staff and vendors. While this cultural fluency can work as a strength, it also creates a strategic language and cultural gap when they have to formally work with US customers, seek loans from local banks, and serve the English-dominant US consumer market.
This gap has encouraged businesses to rethink/reconsider how they communicate with customers. Now that businesses are recognizing the importance of language, even the local non-Hispanic-owned businesses are using English and Spanish as their brand language.
For instance, Xfinity is an internet service provider in the US. The brand has a solid reputation due to its affordability and reliable service; they also offer Xfinity Servicio al Cliente for their Hispanic customer so they can seek support regarding the service.
- Lack of Official Funding
Banks are known to be the leading sources of business funding. You can start a business and get in touch with any bank of your choice, pitch your idea, show your feasibility report, and with some basic loan scanning, you will end up landing a decent business loan.
However, sometimes banks and financial institutions do not cater to Hispanic business owners. This can be due to cultural issues, language barrier, or the immigration status of the individual. In fact, most foreign-born businesses are denied a loan regardless of their background, political affiliation, religion, or social status.
- Low Credit Score
A credit score is one of the most important requirements when it comes to securing a business loan. However, most Hispanics within the US do not have a decent credit score that can help them secure a business loan.
A study conducted by the Latino small business in 2019 concluded that for the average Hispanic business owner, the credit score is somewhere between 588 and even lower. This credit score is not considered ideal for a business loan.
- Fear and Mistrust
Although there are so many different government-owned banks and institutes that aim to help the young business owners with a visionary business idea. However, Hispanics as a community value family, friends, and relationships more. So, it is easier for them to borrow money from private loan firms, from families, friends, or people they know. However, family loans are not just challenging to manage, but in the long run, they can be taxing for the family and the relationship as well.
Regardless of the complicated situations, most Hispanic business owners have no other choice but to rely on these loans. This highlights the two-way mistrust between the financial institutions and the Hispanic business owners. These private forms, although they offer loans easily, have a high interest rate, which makes it challenging for the business to return.
- Low Collateral Value
Banks and other financial institutions issue loans against an asset. This asset is known as the collateral. While most people get money by keeping real estate, jewelry, gold, business inventory, savings, and other important things as collateral, Hispanics do not usually own these things.
This is mainly due to their immigrant status, low income, or being new to America. While most Hispanics might have a decent net worth in their home country, they do not have enough when they move to a new country. So, low-value collateral is also one of the biggest reasons most financial institutions do not grant loans to Hispanic business owners, and they need to get private loans at a higher interest rate.
Simply put, while there are so many other challenges faced by Hispanic businesses, financial challenges are still the biggest. The above-mentioned reasons will help you understand why Hispanic business owners are facing these issues.