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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Fred helping a US business owner compare Medical and Dental Practice Loans: Funding Equipment, Fit-Outs and Expansion

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

Medical and dental practices can finance equipment, acquisitions, fit-outs and expansion through equipment loans, practice loans, SBA programs or commercial real-estate finance. Eligibility and pricing depend on the practice's cash flow, owner profile, asset and project.

14 min read
Fred helping a US business owner compare Purchase Order Financing vs Trade Finance vs Working Capital Loans: Complete US...

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
Fred helping a US business owner compare Trucking Business Loans: Fuel Volatility, Equipment Payments and Working Capital

Trucking Business Loans: Fuel Volatility, Equipment Payments and Working Capital

Trucking companies use equipment finance and working-capital products for vehicle purchases, repairs, fuel, insurance and payment gaps. Compare collateral, repayment frequency, total cost and whether payments remain affordable when freight demand or fuel prices change.

15 min read
Fred helping a US business owner compare How to Qualify for a Business Loan: Step-by-Step Guide to Lender Requirements

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.

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

US startups may consider SBA microloans, CDFI loans, equipment finance, online lenders, grants or equity. Availability depends on revenue history, owner credit, collateral, experience and use of funds; pre-revenue businesses usually have fewer debt options.

13 min read
Fred helping a US business owner compare Using Retirement Accounts to Fund Your Business: Loans, Rollovers, and Tax...

Using Retirement Accounts to Fund Your Business: Loans, Rollovers, and Tax Implications

Retirement accounts can legally fund a business through two main routes: a 401(k) loan (borrow up to $50,000 or 50% of your vested balance) or a Rollover as Business Startups (ROBS) arrangement (roll existing retirement funds into a new 401(k) that buys stock in your C corporation). Both routes carry real tax risks and compliance requirements.

13 min read
Fred helping a US business owner compare Equipment Financing in the US: Loans, Leases and Section 179 Deductions

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.

12 min read
Fred helping a US business owner compare Merchant Cash Advances in the US: Factor Rates, Holdbacks and Alternatives

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.

10 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

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