There can be more to a bank business loan than making interest and principal payments. Your firm may get a great rate on its new credit line or term loan but you may cry on the way home when you discover the hidden fees and charges.

Even seasoned borrowers can be caught off guard. Borrowing costs can be boosted by thousands of dollars and the effective rate on the loan increased by many basis points as a result of these hidden charges.

Here are some of the fees and charges that can increase your firm's costs on bank loans:

Commitment fees

Many banks charge commitment fees of ½% - 1% or more to issue a commitment to lend money. The fee is calculated on the available credit amount. Commitment fees significantly increase the effective rate on outstanding loans.

These fees can be negotiated. If your firm has a strong credit profile or if the competition among banks in your area is fierce, ask for a lower commitment fee or ask to have it waived.

Non-use fees

These fees may be charged in lieu of or in addition to commitment fees. Non-use fees usually range from ¼% to ½% of the unused credit facility. Although these fees are less onerous than commitment fees, they also increase the effective borrowing rate.

As with a commitment fee, you may be able to get the non-use fee reduced or waived if your firm has a strong credit profile or if the banking environment is very competitive.

Restructuring fees

When your firm has reason to restructure an existing loan, you can expect your bank to charge a restructuring fee for the privilege. For example, if your company has reason to convert a short-term loan into a long-term one, it will probably be charged for this restructure.

These fees can range from ½% to 2% or more plus any bank legal fees or out-of-pocket expenses. If your firm has been a long-term bank customer in good standing, you may be able to negotiate or eliminate the fee. But don't expect to eliminate the bank's attorney fees and out-of-pocket expenses.

Bank attorney fees

Attorney fees usually come into play when the bank uses an outside law firm. Making matters worst, many outside bank attorneys require a borrower to hire an outside attorney to issue an opinion letter covering the transaction.

Usually, only the strongest borrowers in very competitive banking situations can totally eliminate paying bank attorney fees. However, if your firm is a valued customer, your bank may be willing to have these fees capped or reduced. Often banks have some leverage with their law firms to get a discount.

Appraisal/environmental evaluation fees

These fees are charged on many asset-backed loans. They usually involve bringing in an outside expert to evaluate equipment or real estate. These fees can be significant, depending on the type of appraisal or environment issue.

Like attorney fees, appraisal or environment evaluation fees are almost always for the account of the borrower. Perhaps the best result one can expect is to have these fees capped or have the lender split the amount in some way.

Unanticipated audit expense

Many banks reserve the right to audit borrowers or to send bank personnel in for inspections. An audit may be required to review accounting procedures or to monitor collections, inventory or another aspect of your firm's operation. Also, some banks require outside audits by CPA firms in connection with extending credit. Any of these scenarios can create significant expense and involve a substantial time commitment for your firm.

Before signing, review your loan agreement carefully to identify any audit or bank inspection requirement. If your bank requires an audit or inspection that you did not anticipate, try to get it eliminated or try to negotiate limits. You may be able to get a less-stringent requirement or to negotiate a less-expensive alternative to the audit or inspection required by your bank.

If all else fails, try to get audit or inspection fees capped.

Late charges

Charges for making late payments to your bank are generally in your control. These charges can be onerous and can add significantly to your firm's borrowing cost. It is not unusual to see banks tack 300 basis points onto a customer's borrowing rate for delinquent payments.

While it is worthwhile during the negotiating stage of the loan to ask for a lower late- payment charge, the best solution is to try to avoid these charges. If you can, try to get the late-payment rate knocked down to 75 to 150 basis points above your borrowing rate.

Expiry of or Failure to Get a Rate-lock

In a stable rate environment, many banks are willing to lock the rate on fixed-rate credit transactions. Rate-locks protect the borrower from adverse rate movements prior to closing. In most cases, rates can be held up to 60 days. Rate-locks are not uncommon in real estate loans and equipment installment loans.

If your firm is negotiating a fixed-rate loan, try to negotiate a rate-lock. You may pay loan interest that is a tad higher, but a locked rate can eliminate an unpleasant interest rate swing.

Once you have locked the rate, try to stay within the holding period for closing the transaction. Most banks will eagerly and aggressively pass on rate hikes in a rising rate market, if you fail to comply.

Many hidden bank fees and charges can be reduced or eliminated if you plan ahead and are prepared to negotiate. You are in your strongest negotiating position before your bank issues a commitment letter and before you sign the credit agreement. Always read commitment letters and loan agreements carefully. Look for hidden fees, hidden charges and unexpected requirements. You can also ask your bank to prepare a separate list highlighting all potential fees and charges.

George Parker is a Director and Executive Vice President of Leasing Technologies International, Inc. ("LTI"). He is responsible for overseeing the company's marketing and financing efforts. One of the co-founders of LTI, Mr. Parker has been involved in secured lending and equipment financing for over twenty years. Mr. Parker is an industry leader, frequent panelist and author of several articles pertaining to equipment financing.

Headquartered in Wilton, CT, LTI is a leasing firm specializing nationally in direct equipment financing and vendor leasing programs for emerging growth and later-stage, venture capital backed companies. More information about LTI is available at http://www.ltileasing.com.