A self-paced course outline
BankReady Academy
A practical learning path through commercial lending basics and borrower preparation for small-business owners and commercial real-estate investors.
The learning path
Start with the request. Build the full picture.
Commercial lending foundations
- Lesson 1
How commercial lending is framed
Get oriented to business and commercial-property financing requests, and learn why lender and transaction requirements vary.
- Lesson 2
Define the request
Clarify the amount, timing, use of proceeds, and sources and uses so the request is easier to understand.
Repayment and cash flow
- Lesson 1
Understand repayment
Explore operating cash flow and, for income-producing property, NOI and debt service as preparation concepts—not approval tests.
- Lesson 2
Map obligations and liquidity
Organize existing debt, payments, maturities, recurring obligations, and available liquidity.
The borrower’s financial and ownership picture
- Lesson 1
Organize financial records
Review commonly requested statements, tax records, current results, and forecast assumptions; confirm the requirements with each lender.
- Lesson 2
Clarify ownership and support
Describe the borrowing entity, decision-makers, potential guarantors, authority, and relevant business or property experience.
Commercial real-estate readiness
- Lesson 1
Summarize property operations
When applicable, gather property status, occupancy, leases, rent roll, income, and expenses.
- Lesson 2
Prepare the project picture
Organize the purchase, refinance, or project purpose; budget, funding sources, timeline, existing liens, and available valuation material.
Prepare for a lender conversation
- Lesson 1
Connect the request story
Bring the purpose, repayment source, borrower and property facts, and open questions together.
- Lesson 2
Ask about terms and next steps
Prepare questions about documents, proposed structure, costs, timing, and follow-up without predicting an outcome.
Preparation-only education: this outline does not assess eligibility or make lending decisions, and it does not predict or guarantee approval. Requirements vary by lender and transaction.
Keep preparing
Put the outline into practice.
Continue with RivetRatio’s existing preparation resources.