BRB Rules

Small Business Financing Options to Cover Repairs

by Brandon Wyson6 minutes / April 5, 2024

Don't let unexpected repairs impact your business operations.

Every minute counts when it comes to addressing needed repairs for small business owners. If your physical business location, equipment, or commercial vehicle ends up damaged or broken down, you need to address the issue quickly and efficiently. Because, as we all know, each day those assets are out of commission, your bottom line suffers even more. When your business is in desperate need of funds to cover costly repairs, it’s not unreasonable to consider using business financing to get things back up and running. There are, of course, more than a few financing options available to business owners to help them quickly address the issue at hand and get back to business. Let’s explore the most commonly considered financing options by business owners to tackle repairs.

Traditional Business Loans

Taking out a traditional business loan to cover business-critical repairs isn’t usually advised. While it may be tempting to use the lump sum that comes from most business loans to cover these costs, the time it can take to go through the application process and get the funds in-hand could be detrimental to your business. Traditional business loans, however, can be a great option if the repairs you need to make can wait – meaning, these repairs will not significantly impact revenue generation and daily operations.

Working Capital Loans

Typically provided by online lenders and non-bank financing companies, working capital loans have a much quicker turnaround than traditional business loans from banks and credit unions. With a simplified application and minimal documentation, working capital loans can usually get funds in your bank in as little as twenty-four hours for qualified borrowers. They do come with a higher cost than traditional business loans, but that cost should outweigh the loss in revenue you would experience waiting on approval for other financing options.

Line of Credit

Depending on interest rates and your overall credit capacity, using a line of credit to expedite repairs for your business can be a great option. Especially when you need to make these repairs quickly. While credit lines generally have higher interest rates than traditional loans, the line itself can also serve as a safety net for your business so that you don’t have to dip into your cash reserves during emergencies such as unexpected repairs.

Before using a line of credit to cover repairs to your business, consider whether you can pay off the full amount you’ll be taking out before your billing period closes. If the price of the repairs are high enough that it could take months or years to pay off, it may be better to look for other options with lower interest rates but longer-term agreements like traditional business loan or equipment financing.

Equipment Financing or Leasing

If a key piece of equipment breaks down suddenly, it’s more than possible that an equipment financing or leasing agreement could help get your business back on its feet quickly. By taking on an equipment financing or leasing agreement, however, you won’t be repairing the equipment, but instead replacing it. When expensive machinery breaks down fully – enough to justify a replacement – equipment financing allows you to quickly replace and potentially upgrade that equipment. Especially if the equipment is insured, financing an upgrade could even be a good move for your cash flow if it lets you get up and running more quickly.

Other benefits of replacing versus repairing with equipment financing is that qualified buyers can finance 100% of the cost of the equipment, the equipment itself acts as collateral for the financing, and the total cost of financing can be significantly more manageable than other

Revenue-based Financing

Revenue-based financing is typically used by already thriving and proven businesses looking to expedite growth and for the business owners to make bigger investments that they are confident will make even bigger returns in the future.

Though, not its intended purpose, revenue-based financing can quickly get capital into your hands to help cover critical repairs, BUT, it can be very expensive and should only be used to cover emergency repairs that would, essentially, shut your business down completely if not addressed where the loss of revenue significantly outweighs the cost of the financing.

Business Credit Cards

For the same reason that a business line of credit is a great lifeline in emergencies, the same can be true for credit cards. Business credit cards, however, generally have one of the highest interest rates when compared to most other financing products available today. Business credit cards, then, are best used for the most inexpensive and quickly repayable kinds of repairs.

Instead of cutting directly into your cash reserves every time a sudden repair comes up, quickly putting it on a credit card and paying it off before the end of the billing period can even be beneficial in the long run. Responsibly using your credit is great for your business credit score and, further, several business credit cards have cash back and points systems that reward regular use.

SBA Loans

Using an SBA 7(a) loan to handle a business repair is uncommon for one key reason: they take a long time to fully pay out. In some cases, SBA-backed 7(a) loans can take up to 90 days to be approved. And anyone who has applied for government assistance in the past can tell you that (no matter the purpose) you’ll be waiting a significant amount of time between your initial application and when you have cash in the bank.

While the SBA does offer loan programs that take less time than the 7(a), such as their express loans which can pay out within fourteen days. if your business can’t operate during that time you should consider other options that provide a quicker way to connect with capital. However, If your business can still operate before the repairs are made, it may be worth it to look more closely at the 7(a) and Express Loan programs.

Balance Interest and Urgency

The last thing you need when taking care of essential repairs is paying more than necessary. So, if you’re thinking about paying for a repair with financing, it’s essential that you balance the overall cost of that financing versus the cost of waiting for those repairs. Especially for infrastructure or equipment covered directly by insurance, the last thing you want to do is lose money by covering repairs through high-interest financing and paying more in the long-run.

Brandon Wyson

Content Writer

Brandon Wyson is a professional writer, editor, and translator with more than nine years of experience across three continents. He became a full-time writer with Kapitus in 2021 after working as a local journalist for multiple publications in New York City and Boston. Before this, he worked as a translator for the Japanese entertainment industry. Today Brandon writes educational articles about small business interests.

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Revenue-Based Financing: Changing the Game of Small Business Lending

Manage Your Money

by Vince Calio12 minutes / April 3, 2024

How revenue-based financing is changing small business lending

For small business owners, getting the capital you need through a bank loan to maintain and grow your business can be a lengthy and difficult process, especially over the past two years as interest rates continue to rise and traditional banks have tightened their lending requirements as a result. Small business loan applicants must have excellent credit and a strong cash flow to even be considered for a loan.

There are, however, certain financing products that have risen to prominence that allow small business owners access to working capital without having to face difficult requirements, give up equity in their business, or fill out lengthy paperwork. One of those products is revenue-based financing, an alternative way to get funds based on your business’s future revenue.

What is Revenue-Based Financing?

Revenue-based financing – sometimes referred to as sales-based or royalty-based financing – is a unique funding method in which a financing “fronts” a lump sum of cash to a small business in exchange for a predetermined percentage, or “factor” of that business’ future sales. In essence, the financing company is purchasing a business’s future sales at a discounted rate.

Let’s say that a financial institution, typically an alternative lender, fronts $100,000 in a revenue-based financing deal to a small business with a factor rate of 1.2. That means that, over time, the business owner will pay 20% of their sales on a daily, weekly or monthly basis back to the financing company until $120,000 has been paid off. There is no set date for when the payments end, they only end until the owed amount has been paid.

Unlike a traditional small business loan which requires fixed payments, there are no fixed monthly payments in a revenue-based financing arrangement. If sales go down, the factor rate won’t change, but the amount being paid back will go down since you’re paying a percentage of your sales to pay back the “fronted” amount.

Why and When Revenue-Based Financing is Needed

Since revenue-based financing is more expensive than a loan or line of credit, it is not for everyone. If you’re seeking to invest in the long-term growth of your business by adding more space, increasing inventory, or hiring additional staff, then a bank loan is a very good financing tool if you qualify.

Revenue-based financing, however, is a great form of financing when you need cash quickly for immediate expenses, short-term growth targets and emergencies. While it is more expensive than a bank loan, it is also easier to qualify for if your business has a strong sales history or can otherwise demonstrate the ability to produce future sales. Generally, you want to make sure your small business is making enough in sales to remain profitable under the terms of a revenue-based financing agreement. Also, since the approval for revenue-based financing is largely dependent on sales history, the financing company will typically place less weight on your personal credit during the underwriting process.

Here are just a few examples of when businesses could use revenue-based financing:

A small construction company is awarded a large contract but needs cash quickly to purchase inventory and hire additional workers. That small business can receive $700,000 through revenue-based financing to fulfill the obligations set in the contract. If the contract is worth $2 million and the company has a factor rate of 1.2 and must pay back $840,000, the revenue-based financing deal would be well worth it, especially if the construction company does not qualify for a bank loan or line of credit.
A small, two-year-old retail store borrowed money from investors when it launched and has produced $250,000 in annual sales. That business needs cash to expand but doesn’t want to dilute its earnings with additional investors. Since most lenders would reject an application for a bank loan from a company that’s only two years old, that small business owner can borrow $50,000 through a revenue-based financing deal and use those funds for immediate expansion, while slowly paying back the money through increased sales due to expansion.
A small software firm is seeking to quickly develop and launch a new product that is expected to increase sales by 20%. However, the owner does not want to pull capital away from other units to pay for the $250,000 in marketing, research, and development that it will take to launch the new product. With a revenue-based financing deal, the firm can get those funds quickly, and the sales of the new product will exceed the cost of capital in the revenue-based financing deal.

Essentially, the rule of thumb for revenue-based financing use is that the cost of the funds you receive in the agreement should be covered by the growth opportunity you are funding while still giving you profit. The idea being that, without the funding, you would not have been able to move forward with your project and would have lost all of that potential revenue.

How is Revenue-Based Financing Different from a Loan?

While revenue-based financing does front your business money, it differs significantly from a traditional business loan. The most significant differences are:

Easier to obtain.

The biggest difference between a loan and a revenue-based financing deal is accessibility. Obtaining revenue-based financing is substantially easier than obtaining a loan. A bank loan usually requires:

A good to excellent credit score;
Several years in business;
A strong cash flow;
In some cases, a business plan presentation, and
A compelling plan on how you will use the proceeds of the loan.

The qualifications for revenue-based financing, however, are considerably less since this form of financing relies heavily on the strength of your sales. When you apply for revenue-based financing, you will often only need:

A fair credit score in the mid-600s, depending on the lender;
Typically two years in business, and
A strong sales history.

No default risk.

With a traditional loan, you must pay back the borrowed amount with interest over a predetermined period. If you fail to make your payments in that confined time frame, you will default on your loan. With revenue-based financing, you don’t have this same risk of defaulting. Instead, you will keep paying the pre-agreed-upon percentage of your future sales until the money that’s been fronted to you is paid back. If sales are low, your payment amount is smaller. If sales are great, your payment amount is larger.

Quicker funding.

Loans from traditional lenders often take time to obtain – sometimes weeks – especially if you’re trying to get a SBA 7(a) loan. Revenue-based financing is typically offered by alternative lenders and non-bank financing companies and requires less paperwork than traditional lenders. In the case of revenue-based financing, the application is far simpler than for a loan, and funding can come in as little as 24 hours.

Revenue-based financing is more expensive.

While revenue-based financing has some unique advantages over traditional loans, small businesses must keep in mind that generally, factor rates are more expensive than an interest rate on a loan, so it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each before deciding on the type of financing to apply for.

Revenue-Based Financing is Changing the Lending Landscape

Data indicates that with the advent of alternative lenders (the predominant financial institutions that offer revenue-based financing), this type of funding has changed the landscape of the small business lending market over the past 15 years. While revenue-based financing has been available to small business owners for the past two decades, it has gained massive popularity as an alternative financing source for small business owners who need funding quickly and may not have all of the qualifications for a loan or do not have the time required to wait on approval for a small business loan.

During periods over the past 15 years when loan requirements from traditional banks tighten and bank loans become harder to obtain, revenue-based has soared in popularity. According to the Federal Reserve of St. Louis, in 2010, two years after the Great Recession, the volume of revenue-based financing grew to $524 million – nearly double the amount from three years prior. According to a study conducted by Benziga Research, the global revenue-based financing market size was valued at $2.8 billion in 2022 and is forecasted to grow to $4.9 billion by 2028.

Economic Woes Bolster Revenue Based Financing

Rising interest rates since March 2022 coupled with rising inflation since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused the cost of capital on bank loans to skyrocket and traditional banks to demand higher borrowing standards such as excellent credit scores and higher cash flows than in the past.

According to the Federal Reserve, applications by small businesses for bank loans and lines of credit decreased from 89% in 2020 to 72% in 2022. Approvals for loans and lines of credit dropped to 68% in 2023 from 76% in 2020. In the Federal Reserve’s latest study, 10% of small businesses that applied for financing in 2022 sought revenue-based financing. That figure was up from 8% in 2020 – when interest rates were very low – and 9% from 2019.

Additionally, approval rates on small business loans and lines of credit have decreased dramatically, making an alternative lending option such as revenue-based financing all the more attractive. Approval rates by traditional banks were 83% in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic, and fell to 68% at the end of 2022.

Pros and Cons of Revenue-Based Financing

As much as revenue-based financing can be an extremely valuable financing tool, it must be emphasized that this type of funding isn’t for everyone nor for every situation, as it’s more expensive than a traditional bank loan and line of credit. However, while bank loans and lines of credit are excellent financing tools, they often carry high borrowing requirements and, therefore, may be difficult to obtain for some small businesses.

Revenue-based financing is a great funding tool under the right circumstances, but it does have potential downsides. It’s extremely important for any small business owner to closely examine the pros and cons of revenue-based financing before choosing this as a financing option.

Pros of Revenue-Based Financing

Revenue-based financing is easier to obtain than a loan or line of credit. Since the main requirement is a strong sales history, you don’t need an excellent credit score or three years in business to obtain revenue-based financing.
There is no default risk since payments are based on a factor of future sales.
Business owners don’t have to give up equity to obtain revenue-based financing like they would with private equity.
revenue-based financing is a good way to boost your short-term cash flow without having to meet the often stringent requirements of bank loans or lines of credit.

Cons of Revenue-Based Financing

revenue-based financing is more expensive than a loan. Depending upon the strength of your sales and your credit rating, the cost of capital can be significantly higher than a loan or line of credit.
In a typical revenue-based financing arrangement, the payments you make are variable and based upon how strong your sales are. Therefore, if sales are slow, the payment arrangement can last for an extended period of time.
You may get rejected for revenue-based financing funding if you don’t have a strong sales history.
You need a strong cash flow to obtain revenue-based financing funding. For bank loans, most lenders will closely examine your cash flow to see if you qualify. Revenue-based financing providers mostly focus on your sales history. Therefore, if you have high monthly expenses and don’t adjust them to make a revenue-based financing arrangement, your business could lose money since you are giving up a percentage of your sales in a revenue-based financing deal.

How to Obtain Revenue-Based Financing

Alternative lenders that operate mostly online offer revenue-based financing funding, so a quick online search can give you an expansive list of providers. Reputable revenue-based financing providers do have requirements for obtaining this form of funding, including

A credit score in the mid-600s
2 years in business, and
At least $250,000 in annual revenue.

Watch out for Bad Actors

Some states are tightening regulations surrounding revenue-based financing, but it remains a loosely regulated industry. Therefore, when searching for a revenue-based financing provider, you may come across some predatory financing companies that are claiming to be legitimate. When researching alternative financial institutions that do offer revenue-based financing, here are some of the signs you should look for that may indicate a “bad actor”:

It will offer you funding despite a very low FICO score (under 600).
It does not have bonafide customer reviews.
It does not offer strong customer service or is difficult to reach.
It will try to rush a deal before carefully going over specific terms with you.
It will try to downplay or gloss over abusive terms of funding, such as exorbitantly high factor rates and transaction fees.
The lender’s history in business is obscure or difficult to research.

Consult a Small Business Financing Specialist

Many reputable financing companies offer small business financing specialists who can assist you in deciding whether revenue-based financing is a good option for your business, and you should work closely with them. The main thing to do is to examine whether you will be using the funding to increase your profits to the point that you can pay the factor rate and still be profitable.

You should also go over the timeliness of receiving funding – are you in need of cash right away and have a strong sales history, or are you seeking to borrow funds for long-term growth? Does your sales history justify a revenue-based financing arrangement? Finally, like with any financing product, you need to go over the specific terms of repayment to make sure you can comfortably afford them.

Vince Calio

Content Writer

Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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How a Line of Credit Works for a Small Business

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by Vince Calio8 minutes / April 3, 2024

How does a small business line of credit work?

Various financing products can help small businesses with specific needs, but few of them are as versatile as a business line of credit. Some of the terms of a line of credit can be confusing, however, so knowing how they work will be key to maximizing its use to benefit your small business and evaluating whether a one is the best option for your business.

It’s also just as important to know the exact terms of a line of credit so you can compare lenders and know beforehand if you’re comfortable with the fees and repayment requirements that come along with a business line of credit, as those terms differ considerably from other types of financing, such as bank loans and even business credit cards.

What is a Business Line of Credit?

A business line of credit gives you access to a credit line that you can use whenever you need it and to spend on whatever business expense you see fit. You only pay interest on the amount you’ve borrowed for your business. Often, a line of credit is used to cover short-term business expenses in between payment periods; but it can also be used for any other business expenses, such as handling growth opportunities, and some financing companies even allow business lines of credit to be used in making small real estate purchases, depending on the credit limit.

Business lines of credit are issued directly by traditional banks, credit unions, and some specialized online lenders, while alternative lenders and small business brokers typically offer lines of credit through a marketplace – a group of lenders that the alternative lenders and brokers have partnered with that will make competing offers for your business.

Also, lines of credit tend to charge a variable rate on the amount you borrow, while a term loan typically charges a fixed rate. Similar to loans, however, lenders and financing companies will base the interest rate on your FICO and business credit scores, as well as other factors.

Business lines of credit are very different from other forms of financing:

Business lines of credit differ from term loans because with a term loan, you are receiving a lump sum of cash for a specific purpose that often must be approved by the lender, and you must start making payments on a loan with interest almost immediately.
Also, while a business line of credit is conceptually similar to a business credit card in that it provides a line of credit that can be drawn upon, it has very different repayment terms and fees than a credit card. While you can draw a limited amount of cash from a business credit card, that cash usually must be paid back at an extremely high interest rate.
Lenders charge a variable interest rate on the amount you draw upon from a business line of credit, which is typically the prime rate plus several percentage points. The interest rate is typically higher than a term loan, but remember, with a term loan you must pay interest on the entire amount of the loan, whereas with a line of credit you only pay interest on the amount borrowed.

What are the Typical Fees of a Business Line of Credit?

For an unsecured business line of credit (one that does not have to be backed by collateral or a personal guarantee), there are fees and repayment terms that differ from most other forms of financing. Some of the fees may be waived if you take out a secured line of credit.

These main fees include:

Origination fee.

The origination fee can be up to 2% of the total line of credit, but may be waived by some financing companies if you have a past relationship with the lender or your credit is exceptional.

Maintenance/non-usage fee.

The maintenance fee is typically charged monthly or annually in order to keep your line of credit open, and can be up to 2% of the total line of credit. It is often charged if you have a business line of credit but don’t draw upon it for long periods of time.

Draw fee.

Some financing companies and lenders may charge you a fee every time you draw upon your line of credit. This fee will depend upon the relationship you have with your lender, as many traditional banks and alternative lenders are willing to waive this fee.

Annual fee.

Many lenders will waive this fee, especially if you are a long-time customer. It is usually a small, flat fee, often of up to $200, depending on the lender.

What are the Conditions of a Business Line of Credit?

Lines of credit have very different repayment and withdrawal terms than term loans and business credit cards and should be a major factor when considering whether you want to take one on. Before you agree to take on a line of credit, you need to carefully consider the terms and shop around for a deal that best suits your small business.

Some of the most common conditions you can expect are:

Somewhat stringent requirements.

Getting approved for a business line of credit is tougher than getting approved for a business credit card, but slightly easier than a business loan. When you apply for a line of credit, most financing companies require good-to-excellent FICO and business credit scores, a minimum annual revenue and a minimum time in business, often at least two years. You must also have a strong cash flow, and if you have borderline credit scores, some may require a personal guarantee and collateral, which includes any high-value assets you may own.

Minimum withdrawal amounts.

Most financing companies require a minimum withdrawal amount when you tap into your line of credit, often $5,000. Additionally, with some providers, it may take up to 24 hours to obtain those funds once you’ve requested them. Unlike a business credit card which can be used for small purchases of specific items, lines of credit should be used for larger business expenses such as payroll or additional inventory.

Pre-scheduled repayments.

Repayment terms of a business line of credit are more stringent than those of a loan or a business credit card. Depending on the terms you agree to with the financing company or lender, you may be required to make weekly or monthly payments once you’ve borrowed against your line of credit. You also may be required to pay off your balance in full on an annual or sometimes monthly basis, depending on your credit agreement.

Renewal schedule.

Most providers require you to renew your line of credit at various intervals, often on an annual basis.

How Can Businesses Use a Line of Credit?

The benefits of a business line of credit are many, mainly because you can use oen for any business expense you wish. That doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t be judicious in how you spend the money that you borrow against your line of credit. Generally, lines of credit can be used for:

Seasonal operating expenses.

A business line of credit can smooth out your cash flow by covering expenses such as payroll, inventory and rent during your small business’ offseason, or to cover short-term expenses when you’re waiting for a batch of invoices to be paid or if there’s a sudden slowdown in the economy.

Marketing tools.

Your business may offer the best products and services in the world, but it won’t do you any good if nobody knows about them. Getting the word out about your business usually requires a strong, multi-front marketing effort. This may include online and social media advertising, a well-optimized website and email campaigns. These services take time and effort and aren’t cheap, especially if you decide to outsource them. This is where a business line of credit can be very handy.

Handling big contracts.

Landing a big contract, especially a government contract, is always exciting for your small business. A business line of credit can help you conveniently purchase the inventory and resources you will need to handle that contract and strengthen your business’ reputation.

New product development.

Your business likely can’t grow without offering new products or services, but developing and marketing those new products can be costly. A business line of credit can help you meet the expenses required to bring a new product or service to market and grow your business.

Get the Business Line of Credit That’s Right for you

There are many lenders and financing companies that offer business lines of credit in both the traditional and online space, but they all have different requirements and different terms. If you are considering taking out a line of credit, make sure you check with several different providers and compare. Each provider will offer different credit line amounts, different rates and varying repayment terms and fees. Make sure you obtain the line of credit with the requirements that are right for you and your business.

Vince Calio

Content Writer

Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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Small Business Financing to Cover Payroll

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by Vince Calio8 minutes / March 1, 2024

Small business owner concerned because he's not going to be able to make payroll.

One of the most important resources you have as a small business owner is your employees, and therefore, one of the most important expenses you have is your ability to meet payroll. What happens, however, when your business hits a slow period or your cash flow is uneven? You don’t want to find yourself in a position in which you can’t afford to pay your employees – this could cause many of them to quit at once and harm your business’ reputation or keep the business from functioning at all.

There are various financing options available to you to help keep your payroll going during periods when your cash flow is tight or customers are slow to pay their invoices.

Fortunately, there are various financing options available to you to help keep your payroll going during periods when your cash flow is tight or customers are slow to pay their invoices. These options can assist you in meeting salaries, payroll taxes, commissions, and bonuses until your business is in a position to meet its obligations.

Should Financing be Used to Meet Payroll?

At first, taking out a loan or other type of business financing product to meet your payroll may not seem like a good idea, but there are plenty of situations in which doing so will help your business stay on its feet and even help it grow. Here are some scenarios in which using financing is something to consider:

Long-term growth plans. If you are seeking to execute a long-term growth plan and need to hire additional staff as part of that plan, you probably don’t have the immediate funds to pay new employees. Financing most likely would come in handy so you can move your business forward without having to worry about how you’re going to pay your workers.
Handling large orders or contracts. When your business suddenly wins a large contract or receives a large order, you may need financing to quickly hire additional staff so that you can fulfill the obligations that came with the new order.
Seasonal needs. Many businesses make the bulk of their revenue during certain times of the year. For example, a retail shop may make most of its sales during the holiday season. In this case, financing could be used as a convenient way to maintain payroll during slower periods.
When customers are slow to pay. Sometimes customers can be slow to pay their invoices, but you still need cash on hand to pay your employees. Short-term financing can conveniently fill the gap between the time you need to meet payroll and the time the customer finally pays up.

Sometimes Financing isn’t the Best Option

While financing can be an easy option to cover your payroll, it isn’t an ideal choice in all situations. If you find you can’t meet payroll because your business is struggling, then taking on additional debt to meet it probably isn’t such a good idea as it will only exacerbate the problems your business is facing.

If your business is struggling to the point in which you can’t meet your payroll, financing will only add to your problems. Your best bet in that situation is to assess why your business is struggling and cut expenses wherever possible. This may even involve the painful step of cutting some of your staff.

What Types of Payroll Financing Are Available?

There isn’t one specific loan product dedicated to meeting payroll, but there are several convenient financing options available to small business owners who need quick funds to cover their payroll obligations. Some of the most popular of these options with small business owners include:

Term Loan

A term loan is a lump sum of cash that is paid back over time with interest – essentially, it’s a traditional business loan. This is a great option if you are looking to implement long-term growth plans and need to hire new employees. A term loan typically offers a lower interest rate than other types of financing, and the duration of the payback period can, in most cases, be pre-negotiated.

The potential drawback of considering term loans to cover payroll is that they are the most difficult type of financing to obtain – they often require a good- to excellent credit score, and if you’re applying for one through a traditional bank, you will often face a lengthy, paperwork-heavy application process.

Business Line of Credit

A business line of credit gives you access to a predetermined amount of revolving credit and is a flexible financing tool if your business is seasonal and you need cash to pay your employees during the slow periods of the year. You are only charged interest on the amount you use, and you don’t have to borrow the full amount when you draw on it.

The potential drawbacks of using a line of credit for payroll is that it typically comes with a higher interest rate than a term loan, and some lenders may require tight repayment terms when compared to a term loan. In many cases, you will likely have to renew the line of credit once at least once a year. Both traditional and alternative lenders offer business lines of credit.

Working Capital Loan

A working capital loan is a short-term loan from a reputable alternative lender that can be used if you’re facing an unexpected cash crunch and need quick funds to meet your payroll. If your business suffered a slower-than-expected month or quarter or had to deal with an unexpected expense, working capital loans typically have less restrictive requirements than a term loan or line of credit, and the payback period is often 6 months or less.

The potential drawback of using a working capital loan for payroll financing is that it comes with high interest rates when compared to a bank loan or line of credit.

Invoice Factoring

With invoice factoring, small business owners can receive cash upfront from an alternative lender for their unpaid invoices in exchange for a factoring fee, meaning that the lender gets to keep a small percentage of the invoices when they get paid in full. This is a good option for small business owners who are facing a cash crunch due to slow or late invoice payments and will enable them to meet expenses – such as payroll – while waiting for customers to pay. What may make this option even more attractive is that borrowers are not held to the same lending requirements as they would be with a typical bank loan, and they can get the funding they need quickly.

The potential drawback of invoice factoring for covering payroll is that it is usually significantly more expensive than a bank loan or a line of credit. Additionally, some lenders might want long factoring contracts, so carefully consider the terms of any deal you have on the table before signing on the dotted line..

Revenue-Based Financing

In a revenue-based financing deal, small business owners sell a portion of their future sales at a discounted rate in exchange for a lump sum of cash upfront. This can be a good option for small business owners that have a strong sales history, but who are facing a cash crunch due to an unforeseen expense or other extenuating circumstance that is keeping them from meet their payroll deadline.

The potential drawbacks of such a revenue-based financing arrangement for payroll is that, like invoice factoring, it can be significantly more expensive than a term loan and, in most cases, you will give up a percentage of your daily sales until you have met your obligation to the financing company.

Before considering any of these financing options, small business owners should carefully consider why they are currently unable to meet payroll. This will help in selecting the best financing type and borrowing terms for their situation.

Obtain Financing Before it’s too Late

As a small business owner, your payroll is one of your most important expenses. If you find yourself in a position to have to borrow money to meet your payroll, it’s important to plan to prevent a situation in which your employees are not getting their paychecks. Not paying them may not only cause them to quit, but it can also hurt your business’ reputation among future potential employees and customers. This can be especially harmful if your business operates in a tight-knit community because word can travel fast that you don’t pay your employees.

If you have to use financing to cover your payroll, carefully evaluate all of your options and choose the financing that best suits your business and its current situation. This includes choosing the payback option that you’re most comfortable with and the fees and interest rates you’re willing to pay.

Vince Calio

Content Writer

Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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How to Use a Business Loan to Hire Employees

Manage Your Money

by Vince Calio7 minutes / February 29, 2024

Needing new employees because your business is growing is a great spot to be

One of the most exciting times for any small business is when it has the opportunity to grow – be it from better-than-expected sales; the development of a new product or service; or physical expansion such as getting a bigger space or a second location. Business growth, however, usually requires the hiring of additional staff, which can be expensive.

Fortunately, small business owners have a wide array of financing options that can help them expand their staff and facilitate their growth plans. Depending on your credit score and the strength of your business plan, a small business loan, a business line of credit, or even an SBA loan can help you hire the team that you need to meet your growth expectations.

Types of Financing

If you’re looking to take your small business to the next level and need to hire additional employees, several types of financing options could be right for you depending on your specific situation.

SBA 7(a) loans

SBA 7(a) loans are perhaps the best financing option when it comes to growing your business and hiring new employees because they generally offer the lowest interest rates and are flexible when it comes to the duration of the loan. Take note, though, that the SBA does not directly administer the loans, rather, they guarantee a large portion of loans given by qualified lenders.

Keep in Mind: These loans require an excellent credit score, a strong business plan, and an excellent cash flow history. They can also take weeks to fund once you’ve been approved, so if you are planning to apply for an SBA 7(a) loan, make sure you have the qualifications beforehand and that you’re not in a hurry to receive the funds.

Traditional loans

Traditional loans, or term loans, are similar to SBA 7(a) loans but they aren’t guaranteed by the SBA. They are offered by both traditional banks and alternative lenders, and like the 7(a) loan, they offer a lump sum of cash upfront to be paid back over a predetermined time frame and a pre-agreed upon interest rate.

Keep in Mind: Traditional banks may require a business plan, especially if you’re borrowing for long-term growth, as well as excellent credit, and will charge an interest rate that is generally higher than a SBA 7(a) loan. An alternative lender won’t require a business plan and may grant you a loan with a lesser credit score than a bank, but if approved, will charge a higher cost of capital.

Business line of credit

A business line of credit is, perhaps, the most flexible financing tool for small business owners seeking to hire new employees as part of their growth plan. A line of credit gives you quick access to cash that can be used to hire new employees as your growth plan progresses – and you’re only charged interest on the amount you borrow.

Keep in Mind: A business line of credit may charge a higher interest rate than a bank loan, and payback and renewal terms can be complicated, so really examine the terms of the line of credit before you sign up for one. You may be able to get a higher line of credit and a lower interest rate with a traditional bank if you secure your line of credit with collateral.

Short-term Loans

Short-term loans, also known as working capital loans, are typically loans with a 6-month duration or less. These types of loans can help you quickly hire new employees as you grow. They are almost exclusively offered by alternative lenders, so the requirements for these loans are usually not as strict as for a bank loan.

Keep in Mind: Short-term loans often charge a higher interest rate than your standard bank loan. Additionally, if you believe a short-term loan is best for you, carefully research the lender, as there are some bad actors in the online lending space.

Define Your Needs Beforehand!

If you’re seeking to expand your business by hiring new employees, there are several types of lending products for you to consider. But, before you begin evaluating your different options, it’s important that you carefully define what your needs are. Doing so beforehand can help you determine factors such as the loan amount you are seeking, whether a traditional bank or online lender is best for you, and the type of financing you need.

The factors you need to define before you delve into the lending market are:

How many new employees do you need to hire and what will they cost? This seems straightforward, but keep in mind that you shouldn’t just consider what you’re going to pay them, you also need to factor in payroll taxes, whether they will be full-time, part-time, or contracted workers, and any benefits you may want to offer them. This should help you determine how much you need to borrow.
Do you have a strong growth plan? In other words, can you make a strong case that your growth plan will succeed with the addition of new employees? If you plan to apply for a business term loan with a traditional bank or go to an SBA lender for a SBA 7(a) loan, they are going to want to see a convincing business plan that demonstrates how you plan to grow your business and that you’re going to make money to cover the cost of your loan.
What is your credit score? The strength of your credit will be a determining factor in the cost of capital for your loan. Put simply, the higher your score, the lower the interest rate you’re going to have to pay, no matter what type of financing you’re seeking. Check your credit score with all three credit bureaus (Experian, Transunion, and Equifax), as well as your business score with Dun & Bradstreet. If it’s low, examine ways you can improve it, or determine if you have collateral in case a lender will only offer you a secured loan or line of credit.
How strong is your cash flow? If you’re seeking to hire temporary seasonal workers, that means your business probably has an uneven cash flow. If you decide to take out financing to pay for seasonal workers, make sure that your cash flow is strong enough during your busy season to justify taking on that debt.
What type of business do you own? The type of business you operate is important because some types of small businesses are considered riskier than others. Restaurants, transportation companies, and real estate brokerages are generally considered among the riskiest industries, and if your business fits in one of these industries, you may have trouble securing a loan with a reasonable interest rate. If you are in any of these industries, it’s especially important to make sure you have an excellent business plan, a strong cash flow and that you can demonstrate future success with your growth plan.

A great small business starts with great planning. Defining your needs before you look to financing will help you select the best financing option as well as keep your cash flow strong while you grow your team.

Vince Calio

Content Writer

Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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Using Business Loans to Cover Your Taxes

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by Vince Calio8 minutes / February 29, 2024

As a small business owner, you may run into a crisis every now and then, and one of those crises could be a surprise tax bill. This situation may arise if you didn’t file your quarterly taxes properly or you spent a long period of time charging incorrect sales tax rates. Figuring out how much you owe to the IRS or your state can be a complicated process and while you want to try to avoid them at all costs, mistakes can and do happen.

If your business is stable but you get a surprise, overdue tax bill that you can’t immediately cover, one of your options is to get financing to pay it. Financing, perhaps in conjunction with a tax relief service that can help negotiate a settlement on your behalf, can get you over the hump and avoid the ugly possibility of having a lien put on both your personal and business finances or, worse yet, your business going under due to an unmanageable tax burden.

What Kind of Financing Can You Use?

There are certain types of financing you can apply for to pay your taxes, but first, it should be noted that there are others that you won’t be able to use. Specifically, bank and SBA loans are out of the question to try and pay off tax debt. Both of those financing tools will require you to provide a specific reason as to why you need to borrow money, and lenders will not consider having to pay off taxes a valid reason.

So what financing options are you left with if you have to pay off a large tax bill? The best ones are those that allow your small business the flexibility to use borrowed funds for whatever purpose it needs to, while also offering convenient payback options.

A business line of credit. A business line of credit is perhaps the most flexible and affordable way to immediately pay an unexpected tax bill. It is a set amount of credit that you can borrow against at any time for any reason, and interest is only charged on the amount you borrow. Both traditional banks and alternative lenders offer lines of credit. For an unsecured line of credit, however, you will need a strong credit score, and for a secured line of credit, you will need to put up collateral.
A working capital loan. A working capital loan is a short-term loan (often up to six months) that gives you a lump sum of cash upfront to pay for immediate operational expenses such as payroll, rent, and, yes, taxes. This type of financing typically charges a higher interest rate than a bank loan but comes in handy if you have consistently strong cash flow but can’t immediately afford to pay for upfront expenses. Working capital loans are usually offered by alternative lenders.
Revenue-based financing. Revenue-based financing (RBF) can give you a lump sum of cash upfront in exchange for a portion of your future receipts, which is referred to as a “factoring fee.” This can be a good option if your business has a strong sales history but is hit with a large, unexpected tax bill that needs to be paid off quickly. The drawbacks are that the factoring fees are usually significantly more expensive than the interest charged on a bank loan or business line of credit.

Additionally, RBF is offered exclusively by alternative lenders, but since it’s less regulated than other types of financing, you have to watch out for bad actors. If you opt for RBF, make sure you are dealing with a reputable lender by checking reviews and doing the proper due diligence.

Invoice factoring. Invoice factoring is when a lender gives you a portion of the cash you are owed for unpaid invoices. This can be a flexible option for you if your business is owed a large amount of cash from customers who are slow to pay or if you can’t afford to wait until the payment due date on your customers’ outstanding invoices.

Much like RBF, invoice factoring can be more expensive than a bank loan or line of credit since it charges a factor fee, but it does provide convenience because it will give you cash upfront to immediately pay your unsettled tax bill. Additionally, when applying for invoice factoring, your credit rating matters far less than it would when applying for a bank loan or line of credit since the lender considers your customer’s creditworthiness over yours.

A home equity line of credit. If you have an unpaid business tax bill that you need to pay off quickly, desperate times may call for desperate measures. One of your options may be a home equity line of credit. If you own your own home, a traditional bank can give you a line of credit against the equity you have in your home. This can give you quick cash to settle a large tax bill, but should only be used if your small business is doing well and you’re confident that you can pay yourself and your bank back, otherwise, you could face a foreclosure on your home.

Financing May Not be an Option

In some cases, if you have a large, unexpected tax bill, it usually isn’t a good idea to use financing to pay that bill, as it may put you in a financial hole that you can’t get out of. In this case, you may have no choice but to declare bankruptcy and start over.

However, the IRS would rather get something than nothing, so another option may be to try to negotiate with the IRS on a payment plan for a reduced amount. There are also reputable tax attorneys who can negotiate with the IRS to try to reduce your tax debt and create a manageable payment plan with them. These could be better options for you if your unpaid tax situation is severe enough.

How to Avoid Large Tax Bills

While there are financing options available to you if you suddenly get an unexpected tax bill, using financing to pay your taxes is not a scenario that you want to be in, and it means you’re not operating your books the way you should be. Still, it’s no secret that running a small business isn’t easy, and one of the more complicated aspects of it is declaring your income and figuring out how much you owe in taxes every quarter.

Whether you operate as a sole proprietor or an llc, it’s strongly recommended that you:

Keep careful records of your transactions. Poor bookkeeping is one of the most common ways small business owners can get into trouble with the IRS. Make sure you record every sale that you make every quarter along with the amount of sales tax that you owe on it. If you’re a sole proprietor or run a pass-through business, proper bookkeeping will give you a clear paper trail to determine how much you owe in both business and personal taxes. Hiring an experienced bookkeeper and/or account can help you with this.
Make sure to remit your payroll taxes. The IRS reported that in 2022, 31% of unpaid taxes from small businesses resulted in the failure to pay part or all of their payroll taxes. If you have employees and take payroll tax out of their paychecks, you are required to set aside those funds and pay them to the IRS on a quarterly basis. Some small business owners may be tempted to use those funds on immediate business expenses with the intent of paying that tax later. It is highly recommended that you don’t fall into this trap, as the IRS can be relentless in enforcing penalties for not paying those taxes on time.
Classify your workers properly. Some small business owners may get confused when classifying their workers as independent contractors and employees, with some classifying part-time workers as independent contractors rather than employees. Each has different tax classifications, and misclassifying them – even if it’s an innocent mistake – can lead to huge fines by the IRS. If you are confused by the difference between an employee and an independent contractor, it’s best to refer to the IRS’ definition of each.
Keep up-to-date on deductions. Make sure you or your accountant stay up-to-date on what expenses can and cannot be deducted as a business expense, as the IRS often changes its guidelines on an annual basis. One of the most frequent ways small businesses get into trouble with taxes is by overstating their deductions, or not understanding what is and isn’t deductible.
Make sure you have good accounting software or a reputable accountant. Even if you believe that you know what you’re doing when it comes to bookkeeping, you should still have very good business accounting software. Some of the top-rated business accounting software includes QuickBooks, Zoho Books and Oracle NetSuite.

Don’t Wait Until it’s Too Late

Getting a surprise tax bill is unpleasant, but you do have convenient financing options to pay that bill. It’s strongly recommended, however, that you consider all of your options to carefully determine if using financing is the best choice. No matter the case, however, you also need to figure out why you got into trouble with your taxes in the first place – be it poor bookkeeping, overstating your deductions, and so on – and avoid running into that problem again.

Vince Calio

Content Writer

Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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The Advantages of Online Lending

Manage Your Money

by Simon Dreyfuss5 minutes / August 21, 2023

a woman holding and showing American dollar banknotes for money

As small businesses look to grow and reestablish themselves in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses with good personal and business credit scores may have access to more simplified application and speedy approval processes through online lenders than they would typically see from more traditional commercial lenders.

Whether you’re a small business services office, construction company or independent medical practice, access to cash to grow your business or get caught up with expenses is crucial. The first thing you need to do is Find out your personal credit score, which you can quickly obtain online – and often for free – through various services such as Experian, Equifax or Nav.

Online Lenders are Better for Small Businesses Because They Offer More Choice

“Technology like blockchain and artificial intelligence will bring in new players that will challenge the hegemony of the traditional banks, and this competition will make it better for small businesses with various options,” said Hitendra Chaturvedi, Professor of Practice, Supply Chain Management at Arizona State University’s School of Business, in a recent interview with AdvisorSmith. “Post-pandemic, this could be the birth of a new small business landscape as we know it—and all for the good.”

While credit history, time in business, cash flow and business collateral will always be factors considered by all lenders, online lenders do offer some unique advantages over traditional lenders:

#1 Fewer Application Requirements

A traditional loan may require long and tedious paperwork from an applicant. Some traditional lenders may require you to submit an outline of your ongoing business plans and give presentations outlining your business goals and objectives. They will also probably require tax returns and other IRS documentation, as well as personal credit card statements and outstanding invoices.

Online lenders, however, often only require a signature, credit score and your three most recent bank statements to apply.

#2 Amount, Flexibility of Funds

What if your business only needs to borrow $10,000 or less? Traditional brick and mortar lenders are typically interested in larger loan amounts in order to make more money. Online lenders, however, are usually more flexible in the amount they are willing to lend and more nimble in their terms for the loan.

Additionally, traditional lenders often will require you to specify how the borrowed funds will be used and may require you to commit to using those funds for the exact reason stated. That requirement is often more relaxed with online loans, which typically allow you to use funds for any legitimate business purpose.

#3 Faster Approval and Underwriting

While all traditional lenders are different, some may take 10 -30 days to review and approve your loan. In some cases, small business loans such as SBA loans may take up to 45-60 days, depending on the lender. Traditional lenders will investigate your credit history, collateral of business and the current and projected income of your business. While online lenders do examine many of the same factors, your approval can happen the same day.

Plus, online lenders often use underwriting sources in loan applications that traditional lenders will not, such as a business’s credit card sales and accounts receivable. As such, small business loans from online lenders may be more suitable to small businesses that may not qualify for traditional bank lending.

#4 Personalized Service

Historically, one of the advantages offered by traditional lenders is the ability to speak face-to-face with a banker who will listen to your story. However, more and more, online lenders such as Kapitus have financing specialists who are also able to hear your story, assess your unique situation and incorporate human factors into the online underwriting and approval process.

In addition, many online lenders use their own proprietary risk models, considering factors such as industry, time in business and current external forces. For example, many online lenders will view the COVID-19 pandemic as an extraordinary event and are willing to consider your three-year cash-flow history to get a better idea of your ability to pay back the loan.

#5 For Those With Less-Than-Stellar Credit

Traditional lenders are likely to reject your application if your personal credit score is less than 680. Online lenders, however, may be more willing to give you a loan with a higher interest rate, depending on why you are looking to borrow and what you plan to use the assets for. You should have a chat with your accountant or a financing specialist about your chances of getting approved in such a case.

#6 Financing for Any Business Needs

Online lenders offer a variety of ways to finance a unique business. They often do not ask to see a business plan and are primarily interested in your business revenue history. Regardless of why you need the money, online lenders, such as Kapitus can offer financing to fit that need. From money to launch a new product, to heavy equipment financing, to lines of credit to handle basic day-to-day operations, online lenders can help you achieve your vision.

Simon Dreyfuss

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Small Business Loan Application Checklist

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by Vince Calio11 minutes / August 15, 2023

Applying for a small business loan can be a tricky process, as there are several requirements you need to meet in order to obtain one. Those requirements can be confusing, as lenders require everything from business licenses and cash flow history to business plans and personal financial statements.

Whether you are applying for a business loan from a traditional bank, alternative lender, or credit union, as a small business owner in need of financing, one of the ways you can untangle the process is to use the following small business loan checklist. This checklist will help to ensure that you are ready to apply with confidence. Knowing what documents are needed for a business loan ahead of time will keep you organized and possibly help you get a reasonable interest rate on your loan.

Things to Consider Before Applying for a Business Loan

Before even beginning to collect your business loan paperwork, there are key factors you should consider:

Why do I need a loan?

This is perhaps the most important question you should ask yourself before applying for a small business loan. Getting a business loan just to have the money you borrowed sit around while you pay interest on it is obviously a bad idea.

Ideally, the proceeds of a business loan should be used towards growing your business so that it can increase its revenue. For example, if you need money to develop and market a new product; purchase or upgrade equipment; expand your business by hiring new employees; or adding to your inventory would all be ideal reasons to obtain a loan.
There are also financing products, such as working capital loans and business lines of credit, that can help your business operate during the offseason or when there’s a downturn in the economy.

Can I afford a loan?

Everyone knows that loans carry interest rates, and those rates are, in part, affected by the current interest rate environment. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates 10 times in the past year-and-a-half, and that’s going to make the interest rate on virtually every type of business loan you want to take out more expensive. If you can afford to wait, you might want to hold off on getting a business loan until rates drop again.

What type of lender suits me best?

There are several types of lenders who can provide you with a small business loan. Those include traditional banks, alternative lenders, trade unions, marketplaces, and brokers. Each one comes with pros and cons that you should consider carefully. Some lenders, such as traditional banks and alternative lenders, offer financing products directly, while brokers typically offer you a marketplace of lenders. Also, some will demand higher business and personal credit scores than others, and some can deliver your funds more quickly than others. Carefully consider which one best serves your needs.

Can I get a grant instead?

There are, of course, several public and private business grants available to small businesses – some of which are backed by the US SBA. These grants often have specific criteria for applying. For example, some may be offered to small businesses in certain industries, and others may be offered only to women- and minority-owned businesses. Determine whether you qualify, but remember, applying for these can be a roll of the dice and you’re not guaranteed to win a grant.

Do I have a plan B?

All small business owners have the best of intentions when applying for a business loan, but life happens, and sometimes it won’t go your way. Before you take out a loan, it’s a good idea to make a contingency plan if things go south and you find yourself struggling to keep up with debt payments. Bankruptcy should be a last resort. Do you have assets you can sell? Do you have a cash reserve that you can draw upon until you get back on your feet?

Small Business Loan Documents Checklist

Go over this business loan documents list to make sure you are prepared for the sometimes overwhelming process of applying for a business loan. Doing so will simplify and hasten the process of getting the funding you need for your small business.

Check your credit scores

All lenders will pull both your personal and business credit reports. You can check your personal FICO scores online for free at the websites of the three main credit bureaus, Transunion, Experian and Equifax. You may have to pay a fee to get detailed reports so that you can check for errors. You can check your business credit score at the website of Dun & Bradstreet, the business credit bureau that is most heavily favored by lenders, for a small fee.

If your personal FICO and business credit scores are less-than-stellar, you may want to consider taking 6-9 months to improve them so that you can increase your chances of being approved and get a better rate on your loan.

Prove that your business exists

All lenders will require documentation proving that your small business is registered as a tax entity. At the very least they will require your employee identification number, which is issued by the IRS, and proof that your business is registered as a LLC, “Doing Business As” (DBA) company, or an S or C corporation. Lenders will also require proof of identity, pay stubs, and your social security number as well. For an SBA 7a loan or a term loan from a traditional bank, the lists of documents required can be even longer and include items such as business licenses, business lease agreements, proof of equity injection and franchise, and licensing agreements if you plan to franchise your business.

Have a business plan

If you plan to apply for a term loan with a traditional bank or for a SBA 7a loan, chances are you will need to show your business plan. This is a plan that shows how your business is organized and typically includes a market analysis and what niche your products and services fill, how they differ from your competitors, and why you believe your small business will be successful going forward. In short, it details why you believe your business is going to make money.

Financial Statements

Almost all types of lenders will want to see your business’s financial documents that indicate it has a strong cash flow history, including, but not limited to 3-6 months’ worth of business bank statements, 2-3 years of tax returns, balance sheet statements and income statements.

Run a cash flow analysis

Cash flow is one of the primary indicators that lenders use to understand the health of your business. Being able to show 3 to 6 months of positive cash flow can increase your chances of approval. It can even get you better financing terms for your small business loan.

Collect your business bank statements

Your business accounts are another good indicator of your company’s financial health. Generally, lenders want to see a positive daily balance on your bank statements for the past 3 to 6 months.

Gather supporting documents for unusually large deposits

Unusually large deposits can act as a red flag for lenders. While the presence of these deposits can delay finalization of loans, they are not necessarily bad. Many businesses understandably have large swings in deposits and credits to their account. If your business is like that, you can expedite your loan application process gathering copies of your account receivables and future contracts to support these large deposits.

Take care of delinquencies

Many lenders only want to lend to people whom they believe are of high character. This is especially true when you’re applying for SBA loans. As such, if you have any tax liens or are late on child support payments, you should take the necessary steps to clear those up before you apply.

Resolve any open tax liens

Unresolved open tax liens can hurt your ability to obtain financing. If possible, try to get a payment plan set up on any open tax liens you may have before you apply for a loan. A payment plan on a tax lien, along with a very strong positive cash flow will typically be considered by alternative lenders and even some SBA lenders for loan approval

Assess any collateral you may have

Before you apply for a loan package, you may want to sit down with a business loan specialist or an accountant to see if you need to put up collateral. This includes real estate, investment holdings, savings and even your car or valuable pieces of equipment you may own. Traditional banks often want collateral if your business credit or personal FICO score is shaky. In rare cases, alternative lenders may ask for collateral. Even if you have good credit, it might be worth applying for a secured bank loan or business line of credit because you may be able to notch a lower interest rate and a higher credit line or loan amount if you put up collateral.

Get trade references

If your business credit score is borderline, you can boost it by getting positive references from either your suppliers or, if you lease a physical space, your landlord. You can give these references to your credit bureaus and, if you’re using a traditional bank, to the loan officer. Having these could mean the difference between obtaining a loan or getting rejected.

If you get Rejected

Getting rejected for a business loan isn’t pleasant, but it can be a valuable lesson on how to get accepted the next time you apply. Traditional banks and alternative lenders want to grant you a loan approval because it’s the way they make money. As such, they will be happy to give you a detailed explanation for why you were denied, and, usually, it will take a bit of time to improve your business to the point where you can obtain that business loan.

While every rejection is different, some of the most common reasons for getting rejected for a business loan are:

Your business credit score is not high enough

Some of the ways you can raise your business credit score include:

reducing the number of creditors you owe money to
making sure you make debt payments on time for at least 6-9 months
having a strong credit mix.

Other steps include being in good standing with your suppliers and increasing the assets of your business.

Insufficient time in business

Traditional banks typically won’t lend to a small business that hasn’t existed for at least three years, while alternative lenders may want to see at least two years in business. If this is the case, hold off on borrowing until your small business has been in operation for a sufficient time. If you can’t wait, see if you qualify for an SBA CDC/504 or SBA microloan, both of which only require 6 months in business.

Too much existing debt

This is actually a common reason why small businesses get turned down for a loan. If you already have outstanding loans, you can always try to retire them with a new loan. Additionally, if you have a line of credit that is close to being fully drawn, you should take steps to pay it down before applying for a new loan.

Your cash flow is not strong enough

If your small business’s cash flow is tight (meaning you are spending almost as much money as you are taking in), take steps to fix it by finding ways to reduce your expenditures.

Your industry is too risky

If your small business operates in an industry in which there are higher than average bankruptcies, or if it operates in what lenders may consider “vice” industries such as gambling, alcohol, or legal marijuana dispensaries, you will most likely get turned down no matter how financially strong your business is. A quick Google search, however, can most likely lead you to legitimate online lenders who specialize in lending to companies in your industry.

Don’t Get Frustrated

Remember, when applying for a business loan, patience and weighing the pros and cons of different lenders are often the keys to getting the funding that you need to help your business grow. Go down the checklist of items that you need to take care of in order to be ready to apply, and carefully consider the pros and cons of the different types of lenders out there so that you can get the financing that is exactly right for your business.

Vince Calio

Content Writer

Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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Getting a Business Loan with Bad Credit

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by Vince Calio13 minutes / August 15, 2023

Most of us have faced financial hardship at some point that resulted in some missed debt payments, defaults or charge-offs, and this has negatively impacted our credit scores. After all, life has its ups and downs, especially when it comes to our finances. For small business owners who find themselves in this situation, one of the questions they may be asking themselves is, “Can I apply for a business loan with bad credit?”

The simple answer is yes. There are plenty of lenders that offer business loan options for bad credit, and there are several types of financing that don’t emphasize FICO scores as much as cash flow history and strong sales. So, if you’re one of the thousands of small business owners wondering where to get business loans with bad credit, you might be relieved to know that you have several financing options.

Before you delve into answering the questions of how to get a business loan with bad credit, there are several factors you should educate yourself on, such as how can you improve your credit score and what you can afford to pay in terms of an interest rate on your loan, given that loans for businesses with bad credit often charge a rate that’s on the highest end of the APR spectrum.

What is Bad Credit?

When looking into how to qualify for a business loan with bad credit, the first thing you need to know is that a low credit score depends on the type of lender you are considering. Traditional banks are still the most popular type of small business lender, but they typically want to see higher credit scores for financing products such as term loans and business lines of credit than an alternative or online lender. Generally, they consider a FICO score below 680 to be poor. Alternative lenders and credit unions, however, generally – but not in all cases – will accept scores within the 650 – 680 range, depending on the type of financing the small business owner is seeking.

There are online lenders that will accept a FICO score as low as 500 but will charge an inordinately high interest rate (cost of capital), depending on the type of financing you’re seeking.

How to Improve Your Business and Personal Credit Scores

Generally speaking, having to obtain a business loan with a poor credit score isn’t an ideal situation. If you can afford to wait several months for a loan and take that time to improve your FICO score, you could save a good chunk of money in terms of the cost of capital. Doing so is not as difficult as you might think.

The two types of credit scores you will need to improve: your personal FICO score, and your business credit score, if you have one. Most lending institutions and credit bureaus such as Transunion, Equifax, and Experian are happy to give you advice on how to improve your personal credit score. For a business credit score, Dun & Bradstreet is the credit bureau looked at the most by lenders.

The main factors that affect your FICO score and how to improve them are:

Payment history. Nothing will drag your FICO score down more than having a history of delinquent payments on your debt. This includes monthly payments on things such as credit cards, car financing, and mortgage/rent. If you want to dramatically improve your credit score, make sure to make on-time payments for at least 6 months. The longer you make on-time payments, the better your score will be.
Debt-to-credit ratio (aka credit utilization). Credit bureaus do not look favorably upon small business owners who have a low amount of available credit compared to the amount of credit available to them, as this tells them that you are having a hard time managing your debt. If you have the time and discipline to do so, try to pay down as much debt as you can over the course of 6-9 months to bring up that ratio. You may even want to consider applying for a new credit card to bring that ratio up. Increasing this ratio will do wonders for your credit score.
Length of credit history. While this is a big factor in determining your FICO score, it’s not one that can quickly be fixed. This is the age of the debt accounts on your credit report. The longer you have open account, in good standing with your creditors – including your credit card companies, car financing company, and your mortgage holder – the higher your credit score.

A business credit score incorporates most of the same factors as your personal FICO score such as your business’ loan and payment histories. There are a few differences, however. First, a business credit score will look at:

Industry risk. Your business credit score will incorporate how risky the industry in which your small business operates is. If it operates in one that has a high failure rate, such as the restaurant/food service industry, that could negatively impact your business credit score. In this case, having a strong business plan becomes even more important.
Good relations with your suppliers. There is a little-known action that many small business owners can take to improve their business credit score: getting trade references. If you have good relationships with your suppliers and have a history of on-time payments to them, they can send a note called a trade reference to the credit bureaus telling them such. Doing this can immediately improve your business credit score.

Where to get a Small Business Loan with Bad Credit

If you need capital now and can’t afford to wait 6-9 months to improve your credit score, there are lenders out there that are willing to lend the capital that you need. Traditional banks are more risk-averse and generally won’t approve loans to those with bad credit. The lenders that do, however, include:

Online lenders. A quick Google search will lead you to a host of reputable online lenders that are willing to supply you with an array of financing options such as term loans and business lines of credit and require a FICO score as low as 500. While every lender has their own set of terms, the cost of capital for these forms of financing is typically extremely high, with some being above 30%.
Alternative lenders. Alternative lenders that operate outside the sphere of traditional banks often allow loans to business owners with lesser credit scores than their banking counterparts. They often charge higher interest rates and will accept borrowers with fair-to-good credit scores in the 620-680 range, depending on the type of financing you are seeking. This is because they often emphasize annual revenue and cash flow history as well as credit score.
Trade credit unions. Credit unions are owned by their members, and many of them will give loans to small businesses in their own industries, even to those with less-than-stellar credit scores. Many credit unions will also look favorably upon small businesses that employ unionized workers.
The SBA. While the SBA 7(a) loan – which is the first loan that most people think of when they think of the SBA – often comes with strict requirements such as a high credit score, other SBA loans do not. SBA microloans and CDC/504 loans do give loans to small business owners with less-than-perfect credit scores through intermediary lenders, and these loans usually carry relatively low interest rates. The two catches for these loans are that they usually do not offer high loan amounts (the maximum for each is $50,000), and depending on the lending agent, these loans are sometimes restricted to minority- and women-owned small businesses, or businesses in underserved communities that are committed to additional hiring and renovating their storefronts.

Types of Financing for Bad Credit

Many people just think of bank loans when it comes to small business financing. There are, however, several types of financing that don’t place a heavy emphasis on credit score and can even offer small business owners a lower cost of capital than they might otherwise be able to get:

Secured business loan. If you have poor credit, securing a business loan with collateral may decrease your cost of capital and could even increase the amount you are able to borrow for your small business. Any savings, real estate, investment accounts and any other personal items of high value can be used as collateral. While you do risk losing these things if you fail to pay back the loan, having enough collateral can even convince a traditional bank to give you a business loan, despite a poor credit score.
Revenue-based financing. Revenue-based financing is offered almost exclusively by alternative lenders and is a form of financing that can quickly offer a lump sum of cash in exchange for a portion of your small business’s future receipts. It’s technically not a loan and lenders often look more closely at your business’ sales history rather than its credit score.
Equipment financing. Most traditional banks and alternative lenders offer equipment financing – loans that enable small business owners to purchase vital pieces of equipment. This type of loan is often made to small business owners with less-than-stellar credit since the piece of equipment being purchased acts as collateral for the loan. Like most loans, however, the lower your credit score, the higher the interest rate, so it’s important to shop around to find the loan with the lowest cost of capital.
Invoice factoring. Invoice factoring gives small businesses a lump sum of cash for their outstanding invoices, and therefore, credit score usually isn’t a factor when lenders decide to approve this type of financing. Rather, the creditworthiness of the customers who owe you money is. Invoice factoring is offered by both traditional and alternative lenders. When using this type of financing, it’s important for small business owners to read the fine print to find out the length of the contract and whether they will be on the hook for a portion of outstanding invoices in case customers do not pay the amount due.
Secured business lines of credit. A business line of credit gives small business owners access to a predetermined amount of cash when they need it and only charges interest on the amount borrowed. If you have poor credit, there are lenders willing to give you access to a line of credit but with a very high interest rate and a limited credit amount. If you offer to secure the line of credit with collateral, however, this could dramatically lower your interest rate and increase your chances of being approved. As with any business line of credit, it’s important to read the fine print to understand the repayment terms and minimum borrowing amounts.

What to do Before Applying

Even if you have a fair or poor FICO score, there are steps you should take before you complete a loan application to get a business loan or other type of financing for your small business to ensure you get the best possible interest rate or APR, as well as avoid hidden fees if possible.

Wait to improve your credit score. As stated, there are better situations than having to get a loan when you have a poor-to-fair credit score. If you’re not in a rush for a loan, consider taking the time needed to improve your score so that you can notch a better interest rate.
Check your credit report. Check for mistakes on your credit report with all of the three main credit bureaus – Transunion, Experian, and Equifax. While you probably generally know what’s dragging down your FICO score, there could be errors and/or false charges on your report that are bringing it down. According to a study by the Federal Trade Commission, 1 in 5 consumers (20%) have at least one error on their credit report.
Compare interest rates. Just because you have a low credit score doesn’t mean that different lenders won’t offer you different rates. While most lenders don’t disclose rates upfront, ask what the rate will be once you’re pre-approved.
Read the fine print. Depending on the lender, it’s crucial that you carefully read the terms of whatever piece of financing you’re taking on. Some lenders may want balloon payments or origination fees, while others may demand weekly instead of monthly payments. Find the repayment plan you’re most comfortable with.
Be comfortable with your lender. This may sound intuitive, but make sure that your lender has sufficient customer service available to you. While you can always walk into a traditional bank, most alternative lenders also provide readily-available, personalized customer service by phone as well.
See if you can renegotiate later. Bad credit takes a bit of time to fix, but it can be done. Ask your potential lender if you can renegotiate the terms of your loan down the road when your credit score does improve.

Additional Advice for Businesses with Bad Credit

Obtaining a small business loan with bad credit isn’t impossible, but it most likely will be costly. If you need a loan and you have poor credit:

Use the loan proceeds wisely. Make sure the loan proceeds will be used in such a way that will increase the revenue of your business. This includes the development, marketing and launch of a new product or service, or for the expansion of your business.

Develop a plan B. No matter what your credit score is, the risk of taking out a loan or other type of financing is that you fall into hard times and can’t pay it back. To offset this risk, some of the ways you can develop a plan B is to build a cash reserve or make sure your lender will be available to refinance until you can get back on your feet.

Don’t overextend. The idea of being able to obtain financing, even with bad credit, can be an exciting one. However, try to only borrow or use the amount of credit that you need and know you can afford to pay back. Finding your small business drowning in debt is obviously not a good place to be.

In all, while bad credit is certainly an obstacle, there are still financing options for small business owners who are seeking to improve and expand their businesses and take advantage of unexpected growth opportunities. Carefully explore the options available to you and, at the same time, work on ways to improve your credit score.

Vince Calio

Content Writer

Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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Traditional Bank vs. Alternative Lender

Manage Your Money

by Vince Calio13 minutes / June 20, 2024

Should I get my business loan from a bank or an alternative lender?

Which is Best for Your Small Business?

The one ingredient every small business needs is capital – capital to grow, even out cash flow, and meet short-term expenses. The question of where you go to get a business loan, however, can be confusing, especially when it comes to choosing the type of lender. When it comes to financing, small business owners have two main choices for a lender: a traditional bank and an alternative business lender. Both come with pros and cons, different interest rates, different speeds at which funds are delivered, and different loan amounts offered so it’s important to fully know what your needs are and which type of lender is best suited for you.

What are Alternative Lenders for Small Businesses?

Most business owners know they can walk into a brick-and-mortar bank and apply for a traditional bank loan, but since the 2008 financial crisis, alternatives have become increasingly popular. There are financial institutions that operate outside of the traditional banking sphere that typically offer financing applications entirely online, while giving borrowers the opportunity to speak to lending experts via phone or online channels. They are just as legitimate as banks and offer distinct advantages over them.

Rise in Popularity

While alternative lenders have been around since the late 1990s, their popularity began to soar after the 2008 financial crisis when many banks struggled for capital and tightened their requirements for getting loans.

While alternative lenders were relatively obscure before the 2008 financial crisis hit, alternative business loans rose in popularity during the Great Recession. Before 2008, alternative lenders represented just 7% of the small business lending market, according to a study by the Federal Reserve. That figure rose to 12% after 2008. In 2016, 19% of small business owners turned to online lenders for their financing needs, and by 2019, the number jumped to 32%.

What is a Traditional Bank?

Traditional banks are the financial institutions in your neighborhood that can be regional or local banks or branches of larger banks such as JPMorgan Chase or Bank of America. They offer you face-to-face service with a loan officer specializing in helping small businesses. Depending on your FICO score, they usually offer slightly better interest rates than alternative lenders. Borrowing requirements, however, tend to be more rigid than alternative lenders, especially now that we’re in a high-interest-rate environment in which lending requirements have significantly tightened.

Also, the application process is typically more complicated than with alternative lenders and, once approved, there could be a relatively long waiting period to get your funds. Still, if you have an excellent credit score, you most likely will notch a lower interest rate, which could save you significant money when it comes to your total cost of capital.

Traditional Banks: Pros and Cons

Traditional banks are still the most popular types of lenders for small businesses and offer several advantages over alternative lenders, but there are also significant drawbacks as well. Small business owners should be aware of the pros and cons of using their neighborhood bank for a loan:

Pros

Lower interest rates. While every bank is different, most offer lower interest rates on bank loans than alternative lenders. However, as interest rates are currently high right now, the difference in the interest rates on a small business bank loan between traditional and alternative lenders has tightened.
Face-to-face service. Many small business owners like to see a familiar, friendly face when they walk into a bank – a lending expert who is already familiar with their business – and this is a significant advantage traditional lenders have over their alternative counterparts.
Direct product offerings. Many traditional banks directly offer a full suite of financing products to small businesses, such as bank loans and equipment financing. Meanwhile, most alternative lenders are usually funded by asset-backed securities, so may not have the capital to directly offer a full suite of financing products, such as business lines of credit. This allows small business owners to directly negotiate the terms of their loans with the lending officer. Many alternative lenders, however, typically partner with several lenders to offer you a marketplace of financing options that they don’t directly offer.
Offers other financial services. Small business owners can simplify things by having all of their financial needs met under one roof. This includes having a business savings and checking account, as well as a business credit card, all with one institution. Most traditional banks can provide this to you.

Cons

Stricter lending requirements. While every lender has slightly different requirements, traditional banks generally have strict requirements for small business loans. You’re often going to be turned down if you don’t have an excellent FICO score (700 or higher). Also, to get a bank loan, your business usually needs to have higher annual revenue than what an alternative lender might want. Alternative lenders usually have shorter applications with fewer requirements.
Longer application process. Traditional banks often require longer application processes than alternative lenders since they are generally more risk-averse.
Slower funding times. In some cases, if you are approved for a loan from a traditional bank it could take several days or even weeks to get your funds.

May be Cumbersome to shop around. If you were shopping for an expensive item such as a new car, you’d probably want to visit several dealerships to get the best possible price. The same holds true for a small business loan. Shopping around for a loan from a traditional bank, however, means you may have to physically visit several local banks to get the best possible deal, and small business owners might not have the time to do that. Many large banks allow you to compare offers online. However, since alternative lenders operate almost entirely online, all you need is your laptop and an internet connection to compare offers.
Systemic risk. Systemic risk is essentially the risk that banks may collapse due to declining economic conditions. Banks shut down during the credit crunch of 2008, and recently, as interest rates have gone up, banks such as Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank were taken over by the Fed earlier this year in high-profile collapses. While this doesn’t happen very often, it’s still a risk when working with a traditional bank.

Alternative Lenders: Pros and Cons

Alternative lenders have become a legitimate borrowing choice for small business owners since the Great Recession, especially when small business lending from traditional banks dropped by some 40% in 2009. These lenders offer significant upsides for small businesses, but they also carry some downsides as well. Here are some of the pros and cons of using an alternative lender:

Pros

Relatively simple application process. Applying for small business financing from an alternative lender typically takes only a few minutes, and it can all be done online. With a traditional bank, there is usually far more paperwork involved and in many cases with regional banks, you need to visit a location as part of the application process.
Fewer requirements. Alternative lenders primarily judge you by your FICO score and cash flow history and require minimal paperwork compared to a traditional bank. Alternative lenders also sometimes require fewer years in business and less annual revenue than a traditional bank. Additionally, loan approval rates from alternative lenders remain far higher than traditional banks. If you’ve been turned down for a loan by a traditional bank because of a borderline credit score (let’s say in the 660 to 680 range), then you may still qualify for a business loan with an alternative lender if you have a strong cash flow history.

Different Financing Products. In addition to traditional business financing products, such as short-term loans, long-term loans and equipment financing, alternative lenders offer some financing options that banks do not. Including:
Revenue-based financing. Revenue-based financing is when a lender gives your small business a lump sum of cash in exchange for a portion of your future receipts – a practice often referred to as factoring. This type of financing is often used when a small business needs cash for an emergency or to finance an unexpected growth opportunity. Most traditional banks don’t offer this, but many alternative lenders do, giving you another option when it comes to financing.
Factoring. Factoring is a form of financing offered mainly by alternative lenders. A financing tool such as invoice factoring, for example, can give you cash based on your outstanding invoices. While this can be an expensive way to get quick cash, it is an example of the types of alternative financing that you can get with many online lenders.
Rapid funding. If you qualify for financing with an alternative lender, you could receive your funds in as little as 24 hours, whereas with many traditional banks it could take several days or even weeks to receive your funds.

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Cons

Higher interest rates. Because alternative lenders are generally willing to take on a bit more risk when giving loans to small businesses, they typically charge a higher rate on those loans compared to traditional banks. However, in the current high-interest rate environment, the difference in the cost of capital charged by traditional banks vs. alternative lenders has dramatically tightened over the past year.
Fewer direct products. Alternative lenders don’t borrow cash from the Federal Reserve, nor do they offer savings accounts upon which they can lend against. Therefore, many don’t typically don’t have the cash reserves to directly offer certain financing products such as business lines of credit or equipment financing.

Many alternative lenders, however, do partner with banks and other lending institutions to offer a marketplace to small business owners seeking those products to get them the best possible deal. The potential drawback to this is that borrowers typically can’t negotiate directly with alternative lenders for the terms of certain financing products like they could with traditional banks.

Key Takeaways

Small business owners in need of capital must make prudent decisions on where to apply for financing. Alternative lending and traditional lending each have pros and cons, so it’s important to be educated on both. Generally speaking:

If you have the time and meet the criteria, traditional banks are probably the best bet for financing.
If you need funding fast, or have a borderline FICO score and a strong cash flow history, then an alternative lender might be the best choice for you to obtain capital.
While traditional banks generally offer lower interest rates on their loans than alternative lenders, the difference in those rates has tightened as interest rates continue to climb.
Traditional banks offer you the opportunity to conveniently have all of your financial services needs – including a business checking and savings account and business credit card – taken care of under one roof.
Alternative lenders have made great strides in providing personable customer service. Most offer small business financing specialists available by phone to help educate you and assist you in deciding which financing product is best for you.
Whether you’re applying for a loan with a traditional bank or an alternative lender, make sure to have your paperwork ready. This includes past bank statements, tax returns, and an updated business plan.

Before you decide how you want to get your business loan, it’s vital that you take the time to closely examine which type of lender best suits your small business needs. Make sure you know what to expect with both alternative lenders and traditional banks in terms of cost of capital and convenience.

Vince Calio

Content Writer

Vince Calio has been a writer for Kapitus since 2021. Before that, he spent three years operating a dry-cleaning store in Rahway, NJ that he inherited before selling the business, so he’s familiar with the challenges of operating a small business. Prior to that, Vince spent 14 years as both a financial journalist and content writer, most notably with Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications.

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Traditional Business Loans

Working Capital Loans

Line of Credit

Equipment Financing or Leasing

Revenue-based Financing

Business Credit Cards

SBA Loans

Balance Interest and Urgency

Brandon Wyson

Content Writer

Related Posts

How to Build Business Credit in 7 Steps

How to Get an Unsecured Business Loan

Should I Get a Business Loan or Line of Credit?

What is Revenue-Based Financing?

Why and When Revenue-Based Financing is Needed

Here are just a few examples of when businesses could use revenue-based financing:

How is Revenue-Based Financing Different from a Loan?

Easier to obtain.

No default risk.

Quicker funding.

Revenue-based financing is more expensive.

Revenue-Based Financing is Changing the Lending Landscape

Economic Woes Bolster Revenue Based Financing

Pros and Cons of Revenue-Based Financing

Pros of Revenue-Based Financing

Cons of Revenue-Based Financing

How to Obtain Revenue-Based Financing

Watch out for Bad Actors

Consult a Small Business Financing Specialist

Vince Calio

Content Writer

Related Posts

How to Build Business Credit in 7 Steps

How to Get an Unsecured Business Loan

Should I Get a Business Loan or Line of Credit?

What is a Business Line of Credit?

What are the Typical Fees of a Business Line of Credit?

Origination fee.

Maintenance/non-usage fee.

Draw fee.

Annual fee.

What are the Conditions of a Business Line of Credit?

Somewhat stringent requirements.

Minimum withdrawal amounts.

Pre-scheduled repayments.

Renewal schedule.

How Can Businesses Use a Line of Credit?

Seasonal operating expenses.

Marketing tools.

Handling big contracts.

New product development.

Get the Business Line of Credit That’s Right for you

Vince Calio

Content Writer

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How to Build Business Credit in 7 Steps

How to Get an Unsecured Business Loan

Should I Get a Business Loan or Line of Credit?

Should Financing be Used to Meet Payroll?

Sometimes Financing isn’t the Best Option

What Types of Payroll Financing Are Available?

Term Loan

Business Line of Credit

Working Capital Loan

Invoice Factoring

Revenue-Based Financing

Obtain Financing Before it’s too Late

Vince Calio

Content Writer

Related Posts

How to Build Business Credit in 7 Steps

How to Get an Unsecured Business Loan

Should I Get a Business Loan or Line of Credit?

Types of Financing

SBA 7(a) loans

Traditional loans

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Short-term Loans

Define Your Needs Beforehand!