If you recently started a business, you might be wondering whether it’s a good idea to take out a small business loan. Small business loans can make it easier for you to buy equipment, hire employees, and get your business off the ground.
And fortunately, it’s never been easier to apply for a small business loan. This article will explain how to apply for a small business loan and seven different online lenders you might consider.
Best Small Business Loans
Banks and credit unions used to be the go-to source for small business loans. But increasingly, borrowers are turning to online lenders because of the easy application process and quick funding. Listed below are seven online lenders we recommend trying.
BlueVine
BlueVine is a one-stop-shop for all your lending needs. The company offers small business loans, lines of credit, and invoice factoring for up to $5 million. And unlike other lenders, BlueVine charges minimal fees.
Pros
- Our pick for Best for Invoice Factoring
- Invoice factoring for up to $5 million
- No origination, prepayment, or monthly maintenance fees
- Low credit requirements
Cons
- Minimum $10,000 in monthly sales to qualify for invoice factoring
- Invoice factoring fees quickly add up
- May not be available in every state
Lendio
Lendio is a lending marketplace, which means they don’t loan you any money. Instead, they match you with lenders that might be a good fit for your business. So all you have to do is fill out a 15-minute application, and you’ll be able to compare offers from multiple lenders.
Pros
- Best Lending Marketplace
- Simple, straightforward application process
- You’ll gain access to multiple lending offers
- Will save you time shopping for lenders
Cons
- Some lenders have higher interest rates
- A possible hard inquiry on your credit report
Kabbage
With just one short application, you could receive up to $250,000 in funding from Kabbage. You’ll need to have a business checking account or a PayPal account to apply. The company refers to these loans as lines of credit, but the repayment terms will be the same as a traditional business loan.
Pros
- Best for Fast, Convenient Loans
- Low annual revenue and credit requirements
- No origination fees
- Convenient access to funding
Cons
- Must have been in business for at least a year
- High APRs on loans
Funding Circle
Funding Circle is a peer-to-peer lender, which means that it’s connecting you to investors instead of directly funding the loan. But borrowers won’t notice much of a difference. If you can qualify for a small business loan through Funding Circle, the rates will be much lower than what other lenders offer.
Pros
- Best P2P Lender
- Low interest rates
- Easy online application
- Can take out a loan for up to $500,000
Cons
- Must have been in business for at least two years
- Must have annual revenue of at least $150,000
- High origination fees
Fundbox
Instead of filling out an online application, Fundbox will connect to your bank account or accounting software. Using an algorithm, the company will determine whether they want to work with you. Not only is the application process extremely quick, but Fundbox is a great option for borrowers with less-than-ideal credit scores.
Pros
- Best for Poor Credit
- Fast approval process
- Low credit requirements
- Quick funding
Cons
- Loans come with high APRs
- Loan amounts will be lower than what other lenders offer
Fundation
Fundation offers loans for up to $500,000, and lines of credit for up to $150,000. All of their loans come with flexible repayment terms and quick funding.
Pros
- Best for Flexible Repayment Terms
- Flexible repayment terms
- Low APRs
- Generous loan amounts
Cons
- Must have been in business for at least a year
- Must have at least three employees
- Minimum $100,000 in annual revenue
LendingClub
LendingClub is one of the largest peer-to-peer lenders on the market. The company offers competitive interest rates and flexible application requirements.
Pros
- Best for Low Annual Sales Requirements
- Offers loans up to $300,000
- Low fixed interest rates
Cons
- Borrowers must have a credit score of 640 or higher
- Must have been in business for at least a year
- High origination fees
Are small business loans hard to get?
Many people believe that it’s next to impossible to qualify for a small business loan, but this isn’t true. If you go into it with a plan, then you can successfully qualify for the funding you need.
One thing that will affect your likelihood of approval is the lender you apply with. Some lenders have much more stringent application and credit requirements and make it harder to qualify for a loan.
If you want to apply for a small business loan, there are three main types of lenders you’ll want to consider.
Banks or Credit Unions
If you’re hoping to qualify for the lowest interest rates, a bank or credit union will be your best bet. These lenders may also offer more flexible repayment terms as well.
However, these loans are very competitive and can be hard to get if you don’t already have an established business. You’ll most likely need to provide some sort of collateral, and it could take weeks or even months to receive the funding.
SBA Loan Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration backs an SBA loan, so it’s less risky for banks to loan you the funds. The most popular SBA loan program is the 7(a) Guaranty Loan Program.
If you can get approved, SBA loans are a great option thanks to their low interest rates and longer repayment terms. But they are notoriously difficult to qualify for. And if you’re looking to receive the funds immediately, you’ll want to consider other options.
Online Lenders
And finally, online lenders are growing in popularity thanks to their quick application process, variety of lending options, and quick funding. And there is no shortage of online lenders for you to choose from.
With an online lender, it’s likely that you’ll qualify for a business loan even if your credit score isn’t very high. However, the trade-off is that online lenders charge higher interest rates.
How do you qualify for a small business loan?
So now that you know where to go to apply for a small business loan, how can you maximize your chances of getting approved? Listed below are four steps you should take to qualify for a small business loan.
Step 1: Improve your Credit Score
Having a low credit score doesn’t necessarily rule you out from qualifying for a small business loan, but it does make it much harder. So the first place to start is by trying to improve your personal credit score as much as possible.
Improving your credit score takes time, but here are a few simple steps you can take that can make a difference:
- Check your credit report and request to have any derogatory marks removed
- Dispute any inaccuracies on your credit report
- Make sure you pay all your bills on time since this counts for 35% of your score
- Consider taking out a small unsecured loan to build your business credit score
Step 2: Get Your Paperwork Together
There is a lot of paperwork involved in applying for a small business loan. You’ll make the process much easier on yourself if you organize everything you need before you start the application process. This paperwork includes the following documents:
- Personal tax returns
- Business tax returns
- Bank statements
- A copy of your driver’s license
- Article of incorporation
- Your resume
- A detailed business plan
- Financial projections
Step 3: Shop Around and Compare Lenders
Before you spend a lot of time filling out small business loan applications, it’s a good idea to compile a list of possible lenders. Decide whether you want to apply with a bank, credit union, or online lender.
If you’re interested in using an online lender, lending marketplaces can be a great place to start. You’ll apply once, and the site will match you with multiple lenders. Using a lending marketplace can be a great way to save time and get the most bang for your buck.
Step 4: Choose the Lender That’s Right for You
Now it’s time to choose a lender and finalize the application process. Here are a few things you’ll want to consider when you’re choosing a lender:
- What kind of credit requirements does that lender have?
- What is the average loan amount the lender offers?
- How long are the repayment terms?
- What is their average turnaround time for funding loans?
- What is the APR range?
- Does the company have a good reputation?
What if my application is denied?
Even if you do everything right, there’s always a chance you could be denied for your small business loan. If this happens, there are other options you can consider.
For instance, you could try applying for a business credit card. Business credit cards are easier to qualify for than small business loans, but they do come with much higher interest rates. And with the right business credit card, you can take advantage of cashback rewards.
If you’re looking for a lump sum of cash, then you might consider applying for a personal loan. Personal loans come with lower interest rates than credit cards. A small personal loan could give you the momentum you need to get your business off the ground.
Summary
If you’re interested in applying for a small business loan, then there are plenty of options available. If you want to qualify for the lowest interest rates, you’ll probably want to consider applying with a bank or credit union. If your goal is an easy application process and fast funding, then an online lender will be your best bet.
Make sure you understand the lender’s requirements and go into the application process prepared. Don’t get discouraged if your application is denied because there are plenty of other options available.
Source: crediful.com