Guides
Guides for choosing and working with a business lender
How lenders decide, which lender type fits your deal, what to bring to the first call and how each loan type works, so you walk in with the file a loan officer can say yes to.
Start here
Four guides to read before you call a lender
How to choose a business lenderA practical sequence for narrowing your lender search, comparing written offers and choosing payments your business can support.
3 min readQuestions to ask before choosing a lenderA lender-call checklist covering eligibility, total cost, repayment, guarantees and the written answers to request before signing.
3 min readBank, credit union or online lender: which one fits your businessHow banks, credit unions and online lenders differ on speed, cost, paperwork and approval odds, and how to tell which one fits your business today.
6 min readWhat to bring to your first call with a lenderThe documents, numbers and answers to have ready before your first lender call, so you leave with a clear next step instead of a homework list.
5 min readLender basics
5 guidesHow business lenders decide: the five things every underwriter checksEvery business lender weighs the same five things: cash flow, credit, capital, collateral and conditions. Learn how each is measured and how to strengthen it.
6 min readHow long each type of lender takes to fundTypical time from application to funding at banks, credit unions, SBA lenders, online lenders, factors and more, and what speeds each one up.
5 min readHow to read a lender's minimums before you applyTime in business, revenue, credit score and loan size minimums decide whether a lender will look at your file. Here is what each one really measures.
5 min readWhat a commercial loan officer actually doesHow a commercial loan officer finds, shapes and defends your loan, what they can decide alone, and how to make them your advocate inside the lender.
6 min readWhat an SBA preferred lender is and why it mattersSBA preferred lenders approve 7(a) loans themselves instead of waiting on the SBA. Here is what that changes for your timeline and how to find one.
5 min readChoosing a lender
10 guidesBank, credit union or online lender: which one fits your businessHow banks, credit unions and online lenders differ on speed, cost, paperwork and approval odds, and how to tell which one fits your business today.
6 min readComparing equipment finance providersCompare equipment lenders using the same purchase, full project cost, contract structure, repayment schedule and early-payoff terms.
2 min readComparing invoice factoring providersCompare factoring providers using the same invoices, cash timing, fees, customer contact and responsibility for unpaid bills.
2 min readHow to approach a loan officer and get a real answerHow to open with a loan officer so you get a clear yes, no or what it takes, instead of weeks of polite silence.
5 min readHow to choose a business lenderA practical sequence for narrowing your lender search, comparing written offers and choosing payments your business can support.
3 min readHow to compare business loan offersCompare written financing offers using net proceeds, total cost, payment dates, early payoff and personal obligations.
2 min readQuestions to ask before choosing a lenderA lender-call checklist covering eligibility, total cost, repayment, guarantees and the written answers to request before signing.
3 min readWhat to bring to your first call with a lenderThe documents, numbers and answers to have ready before your first lender call, so you leave with a clear next step instead of a homework list.
5 min readWhen a CDFI is the right lender for your businessCDFIs lend to businesses banks pass on, with real underwriting and hands on support. Here is who they serve, what they look for and when to choose one.
5 min readWhen to use a business loan broker instead of going directWhen going straight to a lender makes sense, when a business loan broker earns their fee, and how to tell a good broker from an expensive one.
5 min readYour situation
10 guidesBuying a business: acquisition lenders and how they underwrite the dealWhich lenders finance a business purchase, how they judge the seller's cash flow and your experience, and the order to approach them.
5 min readBuying a franchise: how franchise financing works and who lends itHow franchise financing works, which lenders fund new and resale franchises, what to prepare and the order to approach them in the US and Canada.
4 min readBuying equipment: lender, lessor or vendor financingHow banks, equipment lessors and vendor programs finance equipment, which one fits your purchase, and the order to approach them.
5 min readEmergency capital: the fastest lenders and what speed costsWhich lenders fund a business in days, what each one trades for speed, and the order to approach them when cash is needed now.
4 min readGrowth capital: funding expansion without giving up equityThe debt options that fund hiring, new locations and inventory without selling equity, which lenders offer each, and the order to approach them.
4 min readLow credit score: which business lenders look past itWhich business lenders approve owners with weak personal credit, what they weigh instead, what to prepare and the order to apply in.
4 min readRefinancing a merchant cash advance: lenders that take out MCA balancesWhich lenders will pay off a merchant cash advance, what they need to see first, and the order to approach them to cut daily payments.
4 min readSeasonal businesses: lenders and structures that match your cash cycleHow seasonal businesses borrow: the lenders and loan structures that fit uneven cash flow, what to prepare, and the order to approach them.
4 min readUnder two years in business: lenders that work with young companiesWhich lenders fund businesses with under two years of history, what they look for instead, and the order to approach them in the US and Canada.
5 min readYour first business loan: where to start and who says yesWhich lenders approve first time business borrowers, what they check, what to prepare and the order to apply in, for owners in the US and Canada.
5 min readLenders by loan type
9 guidesAsset based lending: borrowing against inventory, receivables and equipmentHow asset based lenders set a borrowing base on receivables, inventory and equipment, what they audit, typical advance rates and how to apply.
5 min readBusiness lines of credit: how lenders size and price themHow lenders set the limit on a business line of credit, what drives its cost, how renewals work, and which lenders to approach for one.
4 min readBusiness term loans: who lends them and what they look forWho makes business term loans, how lenders judge cash flow, credit and collateral, typical structures, timing, and which lenders to approach first.
5 min readCommercial real estate loans for owner occupied propertyHow lenders finance a building your business occupies, what they underwrite, typical terms, SBA 504 and 7(a) options, and which lenders to approach.
5 min readEquipment financing: lenders, lessors and how they underwrite the assetHow equipment loans and leases work, who offers them, how lenders value the asset and your business, typical structures, timing and who to approach.
5 min readInvoice factoring: how factors buy receivables and what they checkHow invoice factors buy your receivables, what they check on you and your customers, typical advance terms, and how to choose a factor.
6 min readRevenue based financing: how funders decide and what it costs you in practiceHow revenue based funders size an offer, what they read in your bank and sales data, how the cost works out, and which funders to approach.
5 min readSBA 504 loans: real estate and equipment through a CDC and a bankHow SBA 504 loans split a real estate or equipment project between a bank, a CDC and you, what lenders look for, timing, and who to approach.
5 min readSBA 7(a) loans: how the program works and which lenders to approachHow the SBA 7(a) program works, loan limits and guarantees, what lenders look for, timing, and which SBA lenders to approach for your deal.
4 min readLenders by place
8 guidesBusiness lenders in California: the landscape and how to chooseWho lends to California businesses, from banks and SBA lenders to CDFIs and IBank programs, and how to choose the right one for your loan.
5 min readBusiness lenders in Florida: the landscape and how to chooseWho lends to Florida businesses, from banks and SBA lenders to CDFIs and the state's SSBCI programs, and how to choose the right one.
4 min readBusiness lenders in Georgia: the landscape and how to chooseThe banks, SBA lenders, CDFIs, credit unions and state programs that finance Georgia businesses, and how to choose the right lender for your loan.
5 min readBusiness lenders in Illinois: the landscape and how to chooseWho lends to Illinois businesses, from Chicago banks and SBA lenders to CDFIs and Advantage Illinois, and how to choose the right one.
4 min readBusiness lenders in New York: the landscape and how to chooseWho lends to New York businesses, from banks and SBA lenders to CDFIs and Empire State Development programs, and how to choose the right one.
5 min readBusiness lenders in Pennsylvania: the landscape and how to chooseThe banks, SBA lenders, CDFIs, credit unions and state programs that finance Pennsylvania businesses, and how to pick the right lender for your loan.
5 min readBusiness lenders in Texas: the landscape and how to chooseWho lends to Texas businesses, from banks and SBA lenders to CDFIs and the Texas Small Business Credit Initiative, and how to pick the right fit.
5 min readBusiness lenders in Washington: the landscape and how to chooseThe banks, credit unions, SBA lenders, CDFIs and state programs that finance Washington businesses, and how to pick the right lender for your loan.
5 min readCanada
3 guidesThe Canada Small Business Financing Program: how it works and which lenders offer itHow the CSBFP works, its loan limits, fees and eligible uses, what participating lenders look for, and how to apply through a bank or credit union.
5 min readBusiness lenders in British Columbia: the landscape and how to chooseThe banks, credit unions, BDC, Community Futures and online lenders that finance BC businesses, and how to choose the right one for your loan.
5 min readBusiness lenders in Ontario: the landscape and how to chooseBanks, credit unions, BDC, online lenders and provincial funds that lend to Ontario businesses, and how to pick the right one for your loan.
5 min read