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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SBA 7(a) Loans Explained: Eligibility Requirements and Application Guide
The SBA 7(a) program supports eligible business purposes through approved lenders. The maximum loan amount is $5 million; eligibility, collateral, pricing and terms depend on the use of funds, business profile and lender underwriting.
SBA 7(a) vs Online Business Loan: Which Route Is Faster, Cheaper and More Realistic?
SBA 7(a) loans can offer longer terms and regulated rate caps but require fuller documentation. Online business loans may reach a decision sooner, but cost and repayment frequency vary widely.
SBA Microloans for Small Businesses: When a $50K Loan Makes More Sense Than a Bank Loan
SBA microloans offer up to $50,000 with 8-13% interest rates and seven-year repayment terms through nonprofit intermediaries, making them ideal for small businesses that need working capital but don't qualify for traditional bank loans.
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.
US Business Loan Approval Checklist: What Lenders Ask For Before They Say Yes
Lenders evaluate business loan applications based on five core criteria: personal credit score (typically 600+ for alternative lenders, 680+ for banks), business revenue ($15,000+ monthly for non-bank lenders, $25,000+ for traditional banks), time in business (6 months minimum for alternative funding, 2+ years for banks), debt service coverage ratio of 1.15-1.35, and comprehensive financial documentation including bank statements, tax returns, and business formation documents.
Business Loan Uses: How American Small Businesses Deploy Working Capital in 2026
Business loans serve multiple strategic purposes for American small businesses, from managing cash flow gaps and purchasing inventory to funding payroll, equipment purchases, and growth initiatives. The most effective use depends on your business model, revenue patterns, and specific operational needs.
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.
Business Credit Cards vs Business Loans: When Each Makes Sense
Business credit cards work best for everyday expenses, short-term cash flow gaps, and purchases you can pay off monthly. Business loans suit larger investments like equipment, inventory, or expansion where you need structured payments over months or years at lower interest rates.
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.
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