How can I qualify for a loan?

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(FORTUNE Small Business) -- Dear FSB: If borrowing won't get any easier, then how will potential new small business owners go about getting qualified quicker?

- Cynthia Lee, Charlotte, N.C.

Dear Cynthia: Cash is king, says Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann, executive VP and head of the small business segment at Wells Fargo (Charts, Fortune 500). "If you really understand your cash flow and what your needs are, you are going to do better at the bank."

When sifting through potential loan candidates, bankers look at the Five C's of credit: character, conditions, capital, cash-flow and collateral. For small business owners already in business, this analysis includes both personal and business credit history. An already-established relationship with a bank can speed things up, too.

For business owners who are just starting out, The Five C's also apply. Bankers will again look to see how much of yourself is invested in the business and if you already have some collateral, such as a building or equipment. Inform the bank of any previous experience you have in the industry and make sure the details are included in your stellar business plan.

Bottom line? Banks want to see that you have invested some of your own money in your venture. "Start with your bootstraps before borrowing from a bank," Macieira-Kaufmann suggests.