Business letter: Asking for a loan

1. A letter to the bank manager.

Read and complete the letter, using the phrases below.

2. Word order.

Put the words in order to make the sentences from the letter.

3. Can you remember?

Put the sentences in the order that they appear in the letter.

4. Write.

You have decided to start your own business. Choose one of the services in the adverts below, or invent your own convenience service and write a letter to your bank manager asking for a loan.

Drive-in hardresser's Need a haircut but don't have time for one? If you can spare 20 minutes on your way to or from work, time is NOT a problem. You don't need to park or make an appointment, just drive in and let one of our professionals care for your hair. You won't even need to leave your car!
Dial-a-dogwalker
If you're too busy to take the dog out for a walk, then give us a ring. A member of our team of animal lovers will be round in minutes to take your dog for a walk, leaving you with time to play with your children, make dinner, watch a video...
Rent-a-tool
Like most of us, you probably don't want to buy an electric drill just to hang up one picture. And there's no need to when you can pop along to Rent-a-Tool and hire the tool you need for as long as you need it and at very reasonable rates. Delivery service available.

Your letter should include all of the following:

  1. A short paragraph saying why you are writing.
  2. A brief business plan. For example, what will your company be called? What service will it provide? Have you found premises? How many people will you need to employ? Have you carried out any market research? How will you advertise your company? etc.
  3. An estimate of how much money you think you will need to start your business and a brief outline of how you arrived at this figure.
  4. An ending in which you suggest possible times and dates for an interview and tell your bank manager how he/she can contact you to arrange the interview.

Your letter should be between 150 and 250 words long. Check grammar, spelling and the organisation carefully.