(FORTUNE Small Business) – In the spring of last year, entrepreneur Pete Holland did the unthinkable: He put away his $350 banana suit--for good. Holland, now 30, wasn't just making a bold fashion statement. He was making a radical career change--namely, from running a venture he co-founded to being the sort of person who's often seen as thwarting those who want to start businesses. That's right: Holland became a banker. He traded in the countertop of his chain of four Jera's Juice stores for a desktop at Cambridge-port Bank, a small savings and loan based in Cambridge, Mass. How could he do it? "Five years in the business was plenty," says Holland, who started the company in 1995. "I miss parts of owning my own business, but this is a welcome transition."

To understand what came over him, it helps to know that while Holland may be the epitome of an entrepreneur, he's hardly wary of bankers. On his very first attempt to secure a loan, he walked away with $95,000. He credits his success to a three-pronged approach: a thorough business plan, the experience both he and his partner had in the juice industry, and the $20,000 investment each had made in the company.

Indeed, any entrepreneur looking for a loan would still do well to take such an approach. In fact, now that he's a loan officer, Holland has more than a few bits of advice for those who come seeking loans for their businesses--growing or otherwise.

Give Them Comfort. Hardly anything matters more to a banker than the standard C's of banking. In addition to collateral, capital, and conditions, give them one more--comfort. "We'd rather work with someone we know than someone new," says Holland. That's why it's best to start with a bank you've worked with before. If that's not possible, make sure you tell the lender that you'll move all your accounts to the bank should the loan be approved.

Ask for What You (Really) Want. It sounds obvious, but asking for money from a banker isn't like dealing with, say, a venture capitalist. Ask for a reasonable (read: realistic) amount. Remember, bankers don't participate in the upside of the deal. "Whether you knock the cover off the ball or hit singles and doubles, the bank makes the same amount of money," says Holland. "So it's best to aim at what you need."

Don't Make Them Work Too Hard. Despite their reputation for short hours, bankers aren't lazy. Still, don't make it hard for them to understand your business. Aside from an executive summary, Holland notes, bankers want to see a balance sheet, three years' worth of P&Ls, an income statement, and a cash-flow analysis. Beyond that, you should bring in anything that will help them understand what it is your company does--including photos or even samples of your product. Holland handed out free Mango Passion smoothies when he was looking for a second loan.

Money Doesn't Talk, So You'd Better. Though your instincts may push you in another direction, it's best to be honest from the outset about any blemishes on your credit record. Include a letter, Holland suggests, explaining past misdeeds in detail and highlighting the positive aspects of your credit history. And once you get the loan, keep the lines of communication open--especially if you expect to ask for more money.

Grow Up. Ditch the dot-com look and put on a suit (not the banana kind). And by all means send a thank you note after the meeting. Despite what Miss Manners says, e-mail is okay. "It sets the stage for a more efficient system of future contact," Holland says. Of course, Holland also sent over free smoothies to say thank you.