US Business Loan Guides
Compare business loans by cost, eligibility, repayment, and speed — plain-English guides to help you choose the right lender and apply with confidence.
Business loans explained
Use these guides to compare business loan options by cost, eligibility, repayment structure, speed, and lender fit before you apply — so you walk into a funding decision already knowing the answers.
What to compare before you borrow
Total cost of borrowing
Look past the headline rate at the APR, arrangement fees, and the total amount repayable over the full term.
Repayment structure
Fixed monthly payments, a share of card takings, or a flexible facility — match it to how your revenue actually arrives.
Eligibility & trading history
Most lenders weigh time trading, turnover, and credit profile. Knowing yours up front avoids wasted applications.
Speed to funding
Some lenders pay out in 24–48 hours, others take weeks. If timing matters, prioritise lenders built for speed.
Security & guarantees
Check whether the loan is secured against assets or needs a personal guarantee before you commit.
Early repayment terms
If you might clear the balance early, confirm whether there are exit fees or interest savings.
Latest guides
Revenue-Based Financing in the US: How It Works and What It Costs
Revenue-based financing in the US provides working capital in exchange for a percentage of future monthly revenue until you repay a predetermined multiple of the original advance. Unlike traditional loans, there's no fixed payment schedule, you pay more when revenue is high and less when it's low.
Accounts Receivable Financing vs Business Loans: Which Fits B2B Companies
Accounts receivable financing converts unpaid B2B invoices into immediate cash, while traditional business loans provide lump-sum funding based on overall creditworthiness. AR financing works faster and focuses on invoice quality, but costs more.
Business Credit Scores: What Small Business Owners Need to Know in 2026
Business credit scores use different scales and inputs depending on the bureau. Lenders may review PAYDEX, Experian Intelliscore Plus, FICO SBSS, personal credit and cash flow together, so no single score guarantees approval or a particular rate.
Business Loans for Real Estate Investors: Fix-and-Flip, Rental, and Portfolio Financing
Real-estate investors use different financing for short-term renovation projects, stabilized rentals and multi-property portfolios. Compare total cost, loan-to-value, recourse, collateral, experience requirements and exit strategy rather than choosing on headline rate alone.
Disaster Loans for Small Businesses: What You Need to Know Now
SBA disaster assistance can provide loans to eligible businesses in declared disaster areas. Loan type, rate, maximum amount, filing deadline and permitted use depend on the specific declaration and the applicant's verified losses, so check the current SBA declaration before relying on a figure.
Franchise Financing in the US: SBA Loans, Bank Loans and Alternative Lenders
US franchise acquisitions may be financed with SBA 7(a), conventional bank, equipment, seller or alternative funding. Lenders assess the franchise agreement, ownership and control, borrower injection, experience, cash flow and total project cost; there is no current public SBA Franchise Directory requirement.
Private Credit vs. Traditional Business Loans: What Main Street Borrowers Need to Know
Private-credit and traditional bank loans differ in underwriting flexibility, documentation, covenants, pricing and repayment structure. Private credit may fit a complex or time-sensitive case, while bank debt may be cheaper for a strong conventional borrower; compare the full term sheet.
Restaurant Business Loans in the US: Working Capital Solutions for Food Service Owners
Restaurants use working-capital loans, equipment finance, SBA programs and revenue-based products for inventory, payroll, repairs and expansion. The right structure depends on revenue stability, use of funds, repayment frequency, security and total cost.
SBA 504 vs 7(a) Loans: Which Works Better for Real Estate
SBA 504 loans focus on eligible fixed assets such as owner-occupied real estate and major equipment, while 7(a) loans can cover a broader mix of eligible costs. Compare occupancy, use of funds, borrower injection, rate structure, fees and processing requirements.
Business Loans questions
The important details before you check eligibility.
What should a business compare before choosing a loan?
Compare total repayment cost, repayment frequency, eligibility criteria, security requirements, application speed, and whether the loan fits the way the business earns revenue.
How much can a business typically borrow?
Loan sizes vary widely by lender and depend on turnover, trading history, and affordability. Facilities commonly range from a few thousand to several hundred thousand pounds, with larger amounts available to established businesses.
Do I need to be a homeowner to get a business loan?
Not always. Some lenders ask for a personal guarantee that can take homeownership into account, but many business loans don't require you to own property.
Will checking my options affect my credit score?
An initial eligibility check is often a soft search that doesn't affect your score. A full application may involve a hard credit check, so confirm with the lender before you proceed.
How quickly can the money arrive?
It depends on the lender and how ready your paperwork is. Some online lenders approve and fund within a day or two, while traditional lenders can take longer.
Are business loan requirements the same in every market?
No. Eligibility, terminology, credit checks, and lender expectations vary by market, so each Funding Fred guide is written for the relevant country.
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