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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Equipment Financing in the US: Loans, Leases and Section 179 Deductions
Equipment financing in the US: loans, leases and section 179 deductions work together to help businesses acquire machinery, vehicles, and technology while managing cash flow and taxes. Equipment loans provide ownership with potential Section 179 deductions up to $1.22 million in 2025, while leases offer lower payments but different tax treatment.
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.
How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Step-by-Step Guide to Lender Requirements
To qualify for a business loan, lenders typically evaluate your personal credit score (usually 670 or above for banks), time in business (at least two years for traditional lenders), annual revenue (often $50,000 to $250,000 minimum), and supporting documents like tax returns and bank statements.
Merchant Cash Advances in the US: Factor Rates, Holdbacks and Alternatives
Merchant cash advances in the US provide fast funding by purchasing future sales at a discount, using factor rates (not interest rates) and daily holdbacks from revenue. With factor rates typically ranging from 1.1 to 1.5, the effective annual cost often exceeds 50% APR.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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