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United States Learn more about different types of small business loans.
Term loans are one of the most popular types of small business loans. If you've ever taken out a mortgage or financed a vehicle purchase, then you're probably familiar with the mechanics of a term loan. Term loans are delivered via a lump-sum of capital from a lender and paid off in fixed installments according to a schedule until you pay back the principal plus any applicable interest (and any fees). Repayment periods can vary from short term (6 months) to medium term (1 -3 years) to long term (7 years). Term loans are typically secured by a lien on your business assets (a right for the lender to seize those assets if you default on the loan) and may require a personal guarantee, which means your personal assets may be liable if your business defaults on the loan. One of the perks of a term loan is that the interest rate, which could be either fixed or variable, tends to be competitive and lower than other types of small business financing. This is especially true when you consider that you may be repaying the loan over a number of years. Business owners have flexibility with regards to how they can use the funds. For instance, one could use a small business term loan to expand to a new location, replenish inventory, or hire new employees.
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Merchant cash advances (MCAs) aren't exactly small business loans. Instead, they're a cash advance against your future credit card revenue delivered to you in a lump-sum. The advanced amount, which can be a minimum loan amount of $2,500 to a maximum loan amount of $400,000 is determined by the issuer and based on your average monthly credit card sales. Because the cash advance is repaid as a percentage of your daily credit card revenue, it may take anywhere from 90 days to two-and-a-half years to repay. One of the key risks of MCAs is piling on too many of them - known as stacking - which may completely deplete your cash flow. You should also be aware that interest rates (often expressed as a factor rate) can be very high, ranging between 40-350%. Funding Circle does not offer Merchant Cash Advance funding solutions at this time.
A working capital loan is a short-term loan meant to help a business cover its everyday operations needs. It can be directed toward expenses such as payroll, paying rent, or making monthly payments towards debt. A working capital loan is not meant to buy long-term assets or investments. Funding Circle does not offer working capital loans at this time.
A line of credit is a flexible form of short-term financing. You have a set amount of available credit that you can access as you need. With a business line of credit, you do not make any payments or pay any interest until you actually use the funds. A line of credit is ideal for unexpected expenses so that you don't have to rely on cash flow when emergencies arise. For instance, having to replace a major piece of equipment or offsetting a seasonal decline in revenue. When you apply through Funding Circles network of lending partners, you could be eligible for a line of credit for up to $250,000. With a line of credit, you'll only pay interest on the funds you draw. However, there may be other fees attached to lines of credit like monthly maintenance fees, draw fees, and late payment fees. If you'd like to be considered for a line of credit through Funding Circle's network of partner lenders, be sure to ask your Account Manager for more details.
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Invoice factoring is more similar to an MCA than it is to a business term loan. Invoice Factoring works by selling your accounts receivables to an invoice factoring company (also called a 'factor') at a discounted rate in exchange for two lump-sum payments. The first payment is the advance (which represents the discounted invoices) - an upfront payment of 70-90% of the factored invoices, and the second payment is for the remaining balance (minus any fees) once your customers pay the invoices in full. Invoice factoring is best for businesses that need to cover inventory costs or upfront expenses but have delayed payment terms with their customers. The benefit of invoice factoring is that your account receivables are quickly turned into cash rather than having to wait months for customers to pay. Funding Circle does not offer Invoice Factoring as a funding solution at this time.
Small business owners often don't believe they have good enough credit to receive small business financing, but you shouldn't give up just because traditional banking institutions rejected you. Business lenders weigh qualifying factors differently, so you could still be approved even if you've been rejected in the past.
There are certain financing options, like invoice factoring, that don't consider your credit score but your clients' ability to pay their invoices.
If you apply for a small business loan and are able to offer collateral for the loan, you can often get better interest rates as lenders will see you as less of a risk. Borrowers with all kinds of credit and entrepreneurial histories may qualify for small business loans with competitive interest rates.
Business owners can look for small business loans with shorter or longer terms based on their financial needs. The best one for you depends on a few factors. You should consider how you'll use the money, how much you need, and how much you'll pay in interest with each option.
If you're not sure what kind of financing option you want (loan, line of credit, or something else), consider talking to a financial expert (like your accountant) about your situation. They'll be able to talk you through your options, helping you find the best small business loans for you and your business.
There is no shortage of options when it comes to gaining access to small business loans and financing. The product that works best for you will depend on a combination of factors. These range from how you plan to use the loan funds to how quickly you need the loan funds, and the length of time you'd like to repay the financing. Here's a breakdown of small business financing options you'll find in the market:
| Loan Type | Speed to Funds | Average Financing Cost3 | Term Length | Best for Small Businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business term loan | Typically as few as five days | Typically 7%-30% Fixed or Variable interest rate | 6 months - 7 years | With established credit and looking for affordable financing quickly. |
| SBA 7(a) Loan | Typically more than 60-90 days | Prime rate +2.25% to Prime rate+4.75 (Currently 8.0% interest rate1) | Up to 10 years | With excellent credit, looking for best possible rates, and can afford a longer application process. |
| Merchant Cash Advance | As quickly as minutes | Varies based on lender. | 90 days-30 months | Who are developing their credit history and looking for a fast cash injection. |
| Working Capital Loan | Less than a week | Varies based on lender. | 6 months-5 years | Who are developing their credit history, looking to cover operational costs but don't want to take on long-term debt. |
| Line of Credit | Same-day (in some cases instantaneously) | Typically 7-25% APR | Payments and interest don't begin until you draw on the capital. Repayment could be anywhere between 6-12 months. | Who want to keep funds on reserve and need to get financing quickly. |
| Invoice Factoring | One to three business days | Typically 10-60% APR | Payment is due when the invoice is due. | Who are developing their credit history and looking to smooth uneven cash flow. |
Over $20.2 billion lent to 135,000 small businesses globally.
Some business owners use personal loans to fund their companies, but using dedicated small business loans and financing allow you to keep your personal finances separate from your business endeavors. We've helped thousands of established businesses in the US grow, create new jobs, and stimulate economic growth in their local communities with the best small business financing options for their needs.
Boost Your Cash Flow
Cash flow is often one of the top challenges for growing businesses. Get small business financing to free up cash for immediate reinvestment in your company. You'll have more flexibility in financial decisions and be able to prioritize expansion rather than worrying about day to day expenses.
Buy New Equipment
Buying equipment for a growing company can add up quickly, especially if you're looking for the most advanced models. It's important to find the most powerful tools in order to provide the best possible service to your customers. Never underestimate the value of good equipment.
Refurbish Your Premises
Renovating your company's facilities can be a significant expense, especially if you're still in the early stages of growth. You need a clean and modern work environment to succeed and attract talent, so think of this as an investment in the business. Get small business term loans or another type of small business financing to cover some or all of the costs involved in renovations.
Hire Extra Staff
Hiring the top talent puts your business ahead of the competition, but it can be hard for growing companies to put together enough money to bring on more staff. If you need to add someone to your team but don’t have the cash to do it, an option like a small business loan with competitive interest rates could be the way to get funding.
One-off Costs
It's impossible to predict when a variety of one-off costs will come up for your business, and you don't want to miss out on an opportunity just because you don't have cash on hand. A small business loan or line of credit can help allow you to take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.
Grow Your Business
Every small business owner wants to grow their company, but you sometimes need an initial investment in order to achieve any worthwhile returns. Get funds that allow you to invest in your company without giving up equity or becoming responsible to shareholders. In addition to the costs above, you can get enough funding that can help you grow or to pay for many other important additions.
Gain access to flexible, short-term funding to help with surprise expenses such as having to replace a major piece of equipment or offsetting seasonal dips in cash flow.
Learn moreFind out what all the buzz is about surrounding MCAs and how they differ from business loans to determine if this type of future revenue-based financing is right for you.
One thing every business has in common is a need for cash flow, and invoice factoring gives you a way to quickly access funds from yet-to-be-paid invoices.
The Small Business Administration partially guarantees SBA loans, but they don’t issue the loans themselves. SBA loans are issued by SBA approved lenders. Check out the SBA 7(a) loan offered through Funding Circle’s network of lending partners, which can be directed towards a wide range of use cases.
Learn moreGet fast, affordable business funding and join the 135,000 other small business owners getting their financing through Funding Circle today.
Learn moreLearn why it might be worth consolidating your business debt into a single monthly payment.
Learn more1 Based on WSJ prime as of March 22, 2023. Prime is 8.0%.
2 Approval and funding times may vary by lending partner(s).
3 Please note that the Average Financing Cost is the average cost of taking out the particular type of funding and does not include costs to apply or maintain accounts/lines such as: maintenance fees, account opening fees, closing fees, processing fees, termination fees, advance fees, or monthly minimum fees.
