新视野大学英语视听说教程 3 Unit 5-5

IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1   I am having cash problems.
Bill:  Helen, you started this company only a year ago. If you want it to grow, I’m afraid you need to do something about cash flow.
Helen:  Bill, although you’ve worked here only for a couple of months, you already know this company inside out. I am having cash problems.
Bill:   Clearly you don’t have the money you need to buy the equipment to be competitive. You have just barely enough funds to cover your day-to-day operational expenses.
Helen:  I think my best bet is to secure a small-business loan.
Bill:    I don’t think that’s possible. It seems to me you don’t have the collared for a loan.
Helen:  What can I do then?
Bill:    Try the Small Business Association. They help underwrite loans for a small business.
Helen:  So, even though I don’t have much collateral¹, I can still quality for a loan?
Bill:    Under this special program, possibly.
Helen:  That would really help me cover our overhead. I just need to get some time to get the revenues up.
Bill:    Apply for the small-business loan, and keep your fingers crossed!

1 collateral   

adj.平行的；旁系的；n.担保品

参考例句：

• Many people use personal assets as collateral for small business loans.很多人把个人财产用作小额商业贷款的抵押品。
• Most people here cannot borrow from banks because they lack collateral.由于拿不出东西作为抵押，这里大部分人无法从银行贷款。