Some of the documents you have used to create the previous sections of your business plan should be included as supporting documents. They include:

A personal financial statement of the owner. This might include the owner's personal assets and liabilities, compiled in a manner similar to that of the business plan's balance sheet. This is especially useful for owners of new businesses, since the potential lender wants to see how you have been able to handle your personal finances.

Letters of reference. Again, this is especially important for the owner of a new business. Such letters might be testimonials describing the personal business practices of the owner or top management. These should not be affirmations of the personality of the owner, and they should not be written by relatives or close friends. Those in established companies should ask their vendors, customers, landlords, or professional associates to write business references.

Credit reports. A document describing the business owner's personal credit rating can be obtained from a credit rating agency, or bank. Vendors will be able to provide letters of credit to a business. Established companies may also have a Dun & Bradstreet rating.

Leases. This would include all current leases to which your company is a party. This includes not only rental agreements for office space but also automobile leases and equipment leases.

Contracts. These might include contracts on business loans, agreements to purchase vehicles or equipment, service contracts, and maintenance contracts.

Legal papers. Such documents might include incorporation papers, partnership documents, business licenses, insurance policies, deeds to property, copyrights held by the business, patents owned by the company, and corporate trademarks.

Additional material. Maps, demographic studies, census information for the area, and crime statistics might be included here.