Business funding
Financing for the business itself: working capital, equipment, inventory, acquisition and expansion. Requests typically run from $50,000 to $50 million and up.
The pre-qualification form takes about a minute.
Find the right program
We place business funding across four tiers. They are different products, with different lending partners, timelines and paperwork behind them. This table points you to the right one.
| If you need | Typical amount | Typical speed | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working capital, equipment, inventory, acquisition | $50K to $5M | 15 to 60 days | SBA business loans |
| Capital fast, with minimal documentation | $50K to $350K | 1 to 2 weeks | Business term loans |
| Large acquisition, receivables facility or rural project | $1M to $50M+ | 60 to 90 days | Institutional programs, below |
| To buy or refinance property | From $250K | 21 to 90 days | Commercial real estate loans |
The small business programs require an operating business with at least two years of history. Institutional programs are underwritten deal by deal.
Small business funding: $50K to $5M
Most businesses that come to us land here. There are two options, and they trade cost against speed.
SBA business loans
SBA business loans typically carry the lowest pricing available to most small businesses. Published rates start at Prime + 2%. That’s possible because the U.S. Small Business Administration guarantees part of the loan.
- Typical size: $50,000 to $5 million
- Smallest tier can close in about 15 days
- Two years in business and a 640+ credit score on the smallest tier
- No real estate required
Business term loans
Business term loans close in one to two weeks when an SBA timeline won’t work. They cost more, and that’s the trade you make for speed.
- Typical size: $50,000 to $350,000, repaid over three to five years
- Published APR range: typically 15% to 23%, plus a 5% origination fee
- Three years in business and a 675+ credit score
If your timeline allows 30 to 60 days, the SBA route will almost always cost less.
Large and institutional funding: $1M to $50M+
These are capital-markets programs with institutional lending partners. Sizing, structure and timelines differ sharply from the small business tier. Expect 60 to 90 days and a full diligence process.
A few terms first, in plain English:
- Loan-to-cost (LTC): the loan as a share of the total project or purchase cost.
- Warrants: the right for the lender to buy a small equity stake in your company.
- Yield maintenance: a prepayment charge that makes up the lender’s lost interest if you pay off early.
- Bullet to maturity: you pay interest along the way and repay the full principal at the end.
Acquisition program
For buying a larger business, including software businesses.
| Loan amount | Typically $5 million to $50 million and up |
| Loan-to-cost | 65% to 70%; seller carry or retained seller equity may cover part of the equity |
| Company warrants | Case by case, normally 5% to 10% |
| Interest rate | Market rates; ask us for current pricing |
| Term | 2 to 3 years, interest only |
| Yield maintenance | Flexible |
| Recourse | Case by case |
| Geography | East Coast, plus primary and secondary markets nationwide |
Working capital program
An accounts receivable (AR) facility for businesses in a growth phase that need capital to expand.
| Loan amount | Typically $1 million to $35 million and up |
| Advance rate | Up to 85% of eligible receivables |
| Eligible receivables | 60 days old or less |
| Interest rate | Market rates; ask us for current pricing |
| Term | 2 to 3 years, bullet to maturity |
| Unused line fee | 0.25% |
| Annual facility fee | 1% |
| Geography | East Coast, plus primary and secondary markets nationwide |
USDA program
For businesses and projects in communities of 50,000 people or fewer.
| Loan amount | Typically $2 million to $50 million, up to $25 million per project |
| Equity | 10% or more |
| Loan-to-cost | Up to 75% |
| Interest rate | Published at Prime + 2.75% |
| Term | 10 to 25 years, depending on equipment or real estate |
| Uses | Refinancing debt, ground-up construction, buying real estate, machinery and equipment, working capital |
| Recourse | Full recourse |
| Eligible assets | All commercial assets except golf courses and churches |
| Closing time | Typically 75 to 90 days |
Financing property instead?
If the money is going into real estate rather than operations, this is the wrong page. See conventional commercial loans to buy or refinance property. If your business will occupy the building, see SBA 7(a) loans for commercial real estate. Commercial real estate loans start at $250,000.
How it works
- Apply online. A short, 1-minute form tells us about your request and your business.
- Talk to your loan expert. A Standout loan expert is assigned to your file and guides you through the process.
- Choose your loan. Your loan expert brings you the best available options from our lending partners.
All rates, fees and requirements on this page are typical published figures. They are subject to credit approval and can change without notice.
Common questions
What's the smallest business loan you can place?
$50,000, through either an SBA business loan or a business term loan. Below that, we're not the right fit, and we'd rather tell you now.
How long does business funding take?
From about 15 days on a small SBA request, or about a week on an application-only term loan. Institutional acquisition and USDA financing typically take 60 to 90 days.
How long do I need to have been in business?
Two years for SBA business loans and three years for business term loans. Institutional programs are underwritten deal by deal. We don't have a startup product.
Do I need real estate as collateral?
Not for SBA business loans or business term loans. Collateral may be required depending on loan size, but the SBA won't decline a loan solely for insufficient collateral.
Can I use business funding to buy another business?
Yes, at two scales. SBA 7(a) covers acquisition on requests above $350,000. The institutional acquisition program typically starts at $5 million.
What credit score do I need?
Typically 640 for the smallest SBA tier and 675 for a business term loan. Time in business and cash flow usually carry more weight than the score.
Other options to compare
All loan programs- Loan program SBA business loans Government-backed capital for working capital, equipment, inventory, acquisition and expansion. No real estate required
- Loan program Business term loans A structured term loan for established businesses that need capital faster than an SBA timeline. Funded in 1–2 weeks
- Loan program Conventional commercial loans Bank and credit-union financing. For strong credit and full documentation, usually the lowest-cost path. Banks and credit unions
Ready to take the next step?
Apply in about a minute. Your loan expert will guide you from there.