Best Small Business Loans Of October 2024 – Forbes Advisor

Most small business loans are underwritten based on the business owner’s personal credit score and are personally guaranteed. The minimum credit score required to qualify for a small business loan depends on the lender and the type of loan. So, it’s generally a good idea to check your personal credit score and then research each lender to compare minimum credit score requirements.

Some business financing lenders offer a prequalification process. This means prospective borrowers can share details about their financing needs, revenue and other relevant information to find out what loan amounts, rates and repayment terms they may qualify for. This process typically only requires a soft credit inquiry, which has no impact on your credit score.

Two of the most common ways you can receive and access your business funds are through a lump-sum payment or on an as-needed basis. If you want to receive your funds up front, choose a traditional working capital or term loan. However, if you want to use funds only as you need them, consider a business line of credit.

Each business financing lender has its own repayment structures. While some types of financing require monthly payments, others may require daily or weekly payments. Take this into account when choosing your preferred lender and business loan.

The amount of time it takes to process an application and receive funds varies widely by lender and loan type. In general, it can take anywhere from a couple of days (in the case of a merchant cash advance) to several months (for an SBA loan) to receive funds after submitting an application. If you need a loan quickly, choose a loan type and lender that can meet those time constraints.

Some lenders offer fee-free business loans that don’t require borrowers to pay origination fees, late payment fees, prepayment penalties or any other common loan costs. However, this is not always the case. Be sure to confirm a lender’s fee structure when shopping for the best terms. Factor in additional fees into your decision-making process.

If you’ve found a lender that’s prepared to offer the money you need at acceptable terms, consider the lender’s support options before signing the loan agreement. Customer support can make a huge difference down the line if you encounter issues with repayment. Research the lender’s customer service resources and read reviews to make sure it’s a good fit.

SBA loans are small business loans that are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, including the SBA 7(a), 504, CAPLines, Export, Microloan and Disaster loan programs. These loans typically range from $30,000 to $5 million and come with low interest rates and extended repayment terms—up to 25 years. That said, qualification requirements are more demanding than for other loans not backed by the government, and the application process typically takes longer.

Common types of SBA loans  include:

• SBA 7(a) loans. With maximum loan amounts up to $5 million, the SBA 7(a) loan program is the SBA’s main offering. Loans are commonly used to purchase real estate but may also be used for working capital , debt refinancing and the purchase of business supplies. Current interest rates, as of Oct. 7, for SBA 7(a) loans range from 5.5% to 11.25%.
• SBA 504 loans. Available up to $5 million, SBA 504 loans must be used for major fixed assets, like existing buildings or land, new facilities and long-term machinery and equipment. As such, 504 loans may not be used for working capital, inventory or other common business uses. Rates on SBA 504 loans are lower than those imposed by the 7(a) program, and range from about 2.81% to 4%.
• SBA microloans. SBA microloans extend up to $50,000 and are intended to help small businesses start or grow. This may involve using the funds for working capital, inventory, machinery, equipment and other fixtures and supplies needed to do business. Rates typically range from 8% to 13%, but this varies by lender.

Terms loans are a traditional form of financing that’s repaid over a set period of time. In general, short-term loans range from just three to 18 months, whereas long-term business loans may be extended for up to 10 years. While some term loans are designed for specific uses—like financing equipment or inventory—term loans traditionally can be used to fund most large business-related purchases. Business term loans are typically available up to around $500,000, and annual percentage rates (APRs)  start around 9%.

Unlike a term loan that’s paid out in a lump sum, a business line of credit  is a set amount of money that a business owner can access on a revolving basis. This means the borrower can draw against the line of credit for a set period of time—usually up to five years. If the borrower pays back a portion of the line of credit early, they can access it again until the draw period ends.

Once the draw period is over, the borrower enters the repayment period and can no longer access the revolving funds. Rather than pay interest on the entire amount, as with a term loan, a business owner who accesses a line of credit is only charged interest for what they actually use.

Lines of credit are a good option for businesses that want to access cash on an as-needed basis for things like unexpected expenses and other cash-flow issues. Borrowing limits generally range from $2,000 to $250,000 and come with APRs from 10% to 99%.

Invoice factoring  is the process of selling a business’ outstanding invoices in exchange for a lump sum cash payment. Invoices are sold to a third-party factoring company at a discount, so you won’t get paid for invoices in full. And, once you sell an invoice to a factoring company, the factoring company assumes responsibility for collections.

However, this form of financing can be an effective way to access cash quickly without having to wait the 30 to 90 days customers usually have to pay invoices. For that reason, invoice factoring is a helpful strategy when you need short-term financing or help managing cash flow. In general, invoice financing amounts can extend up to $5 million with APRs between 10% and 79%.

Merchant cash advances (MCAs) let business owners access a lump sum of cash by giving the lender—often a merchant services company —a portion of future sales receipts. In contrast to a traditional business loan, a merchant cash advance and related fees are repaid from the business’ individual sales or through automatic clearing house (ACH) payments on a daily or weekly basis.

Under this strategy, a business owner borrows a set amount of cash at a factor rate usually between 1.2 and 1.5. To repay the loan, the business must repay the advance with a set percentage of daily credit card sales over an estimated repayment term. A merchant cash advance may be a good option for businesses that experience a high volume of sales and need to access cash quickly—without qualifying for a traditional business loan.

Equipment financing is a form of small business loan that helps businesses purchase the equipment and machinery needed to start and maintain operations. This flexible financing can typically be used for everything from office furniture and electronics to manufacturing equipment.

Equipment loans are collateralized by the items being purchased, so the size of a loan depends on the value of the equipment and the size of the down payment. However, the best equipment financing companies  offer terms and limits of up to 25 years and $1 million or more.

Interest rates on equipment financing may be lower than available through other types of financing and typically range from 8% to 30%. As with other small business loans, rates vary by lender and borrower creditworthiness.

Commercial real estate loans are used to purchase property for business use. These loans differ from residential mortgages since they’re not backed by a government entity and may be more difficult to qualify for—especially for smaller businesses.

Interest rates for commercial real estate loans are generally lower than other forms of financing, ranging from 5% to 15%. Lengthy repayment terms—up to 20 years or more—are often available.

That said, some business owners also opt for shorter-term balloon mortgages, which have lower interest rates but require a lump sum payment at the end of the term. Commercial real estate loans may come with additional costs like appraisal and legal fees.

Borrowers can acquire bank loans through traditional banks, credit unions and online lenders. Bank loan amounts vary depending on the lender but can range from thousands to millions of dollars. They can be used for various business purposes, including working capital, equipment purchases and real estate acquisitions.

Bank loans are typically repaid in fixed monthly payments over a set period and may include origination fees and prepayment penalties. This type of financing usually comes with lower interest rates than other alternatives—usually between 5% and 13%—but may also come with stricter eligibility requirements and longer application processes.

Traditional banks and credit unions typically offer a limited range of small business loans, including those backed by the SBA. While traditional banks often have tighter borrowing standards than online lenders, small business owners may still find it easier to qualify at an institution where they have an existing banking relationship.

Not only will the bank already have the business’ financial statements on file, but it may also be easier to get approved with a local lender who is familiar with your operation.

In general, online lenders may have more flexible borrower qualifications than larger, traditional banks. And, while APRs may be higher through online banks than traditional lenders, approval rates also are higher and borrowers are less likely to need collateral. What’s more, many online lenders provide faster funding speeds than their brick-and-mortar counterparts, making them a good option for businesses that need a fast personal loan.

While a business loan disburses funds as a lump sum, you have access to a predetermined credit line with a business line of credit. You can draw on this credit line during the draw period, and you only owe interest on the amount you borrow, not the full credit line. Once the draw period ends, you enter the repayment period, when you’re required to repay your outstanding balance plus interest and any fees.

Business lines of credit  are more flexible than business loans and are handy as a rainy day fund.

Business credit cards  work similarly to consumer credit cards, except you use the card to pay only for business-related expenses. In some cases, business credit card rates may be higher than business loan rates; however, they tend to have more flexible qualification requirements.

A business card may be better than a business loan if you don’t need to borrow a large sum. Plus, some cards offer cash back or points-based rewards programs. You may even be able to find a card with no-interest financing for a certain period of time, which can be equivalent to an interest-free loan if you repay your balance during the introductory period.

Crowdfunding can help you reach your funding goals without taking out a loan. You can use popular sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo to raise money for your business or product. On these sites, you’ll set a funding goal and typically create reward tiers for people who pledge funds. However, if you don’t reach your goal, you usually get nothing.
¹The required FICO score may be higher based on your relationship with American Express, credit history, and other factors.

Some lenders allow you to take out a personal loan to fund your business. This loan is tied to your personal credit, not the business credit score, which means you’ll be personally liable to repay the loan.

A personal loan can be a good option to fund your business if you don’t have sufficient revenue or time in business to qualify for a business loan. The funds from a personal loan can be used however you need to fund your business, but the amounts may be lower than what’s offered on many business loans.

Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be repaid. Small business grants can provide financial aid for specific projects or purposes that align with the grant’s criteria. However, securing a grant can be highly competitive and requires extensive research and preparation.

You will need to demonstrate how your project or business aligns with the mission of the grant provider and show a solid financial plan for using the funds.