US funding guides

US Business Funding Guides

Plain-English guides to lenders, eligibility, and costs — so you can walk into a funding decision already knowing the answers.

Business Loans

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Business owner comparing US business loan options online

Business Loans for Women, Minority and Veteran-Owned Businesses in the US: Complete 2026 Guide

Women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses can access specialized loan programs offering up to $5 million in funding through dedicated lenders, SBA programs, and community development financial institutions.

14 min read
Business owner comparing US business loan options online

Medical and Dental Practice Loans: Funding Equipment, Fit-Outs and Expansion

Medical and dental practice loans provide funding from $10,000 to $5 million for equipment purchases, office renovations, and practice expansion.

14 min read
Business owner comparing US business loan options online

Purchase Order Financing vs Trade Finance vs Working Capital Loans: Complete US Business Guide

Purchase order financing funds specific customer orders when you lack cash to pay suppliers upfront, while trade finance covers broader supply chain needs including imports and inventory cycles. Working capital loans address general operating expenses like payroll and rent when you have ongoing revenue but need flexible cash flow support.

16 min read
Business owner comparing US business loan options online

Franchise Financing in the US: SBA Loans, Bank Loans and Alternative Lenders

Franchise financing in the US comes through three main channels: SBA 7(a) loans offering up to $5 million at competitive rates for approved franchises, traditional bank loans with stricter requirements but faster processing, and alternative lenders providing flexible terms for borrowers who don't qualify elsewhere.

17 min read
Fred helping a US business owner compare Refinancing Business Loans: When, How, and Whether It Makes Financial Sense

Refinancing Business Loans: When, How, and Whether It Makes Financial Sense

Refinancing a business loan means replacing your existing debt with a new loan that has better terms, a lower rate, or a longer repayment period. It can reduce monthly payments and total interest costs, but only when the savings outweigh the fees.

11 min read
Fred helping a US business owner compare Business Credit Scores: What Small Business Owners Need to Know in 2026

Business Credit Scores: What Small Business Owners Need to Know in 2026

Business credit scores range from 0-300 (FICO SBSS) or 1-100 (PAYDEX, Intelliscore Plus), with scores above 80 (for 100-point scales) or 165+ (for 300-point scales) considered good for loan approval. These scores track your company's payment history and creditworthiness separately from personal credit, directly affecting loan terms and interest rates.

13 min read
Fred helping a US business owner compare Business Loans for Real Estate Investors: Fix-and-Flip, Rental, and Portfolio...

Business Loans for Real Estate Investors: Fix-and-Flip, Rental, and Portfolio Financing

Real estate investors borrow differently from most small business owners. The loan type, approval criteria, and cost structure shift significantly depending on whether you're funding a short-term flip, financing a stabilized rental, or scaling a multi-property portfolio.

11 min read
Fred helping a US business owner compare Business Loans for Startups: SBA and Non-SBA Options for New Companies

Business Loans for Startups: SBA and Non-SBA Options for New Companies

Most startups can access funding through SBA programs, online lenders, microloans, or equipment financing — even with limited revenue history. The right option depends on how long the business has been operating, the owner's personal credit, and how quickly capital is needed.

13 min read
Fred helping a US business owner compare Disaster Loans for Small Businesses: What You Need to Know Now

Disaster Loans for Small Businesses: What You Need to Know Now

Disaster loans for small businesses are low-interest federal loans, primarily administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), that help businesses recover from declared disasters.

13 min read

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