How To Get A Business Loan In 5 Fast & Easy Steps

1. Decide Why You Need Financing

There’s more than one kind of small business loan. Deciding why you need financing will help you choose the right kind of loan. Here are a few common scenarios:

Buy new equipment Some lenders offer equipment loans. This type of loan is designed to help you purchase business equipment, like machinery or office furniture. The loan is secured by the equipment, so the lender can seize it if you fail to repay the loan.
Borrow a small amount of money. If you need to borrow a small amount of money, consider applying for a microloan. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has a Microloan program that allows qualified applicants to borrow up to $50,000. In addition, there are not-for-profit organizations that offer microloans, such as Kiva and the Women’s Microfinance Initiative.
Establish a business. Since most lenders have minimum time in business requirements, it can be tough to find one that will issue you a startup loan for a new business. If you’re just starting out, you may have to apply for a microloan or a business credit card. You may find it easier to qualify for a business credit card than other types of business loans since approval is based on your personal credit score.
Pay for day-to-day operations. A working capital loan—a short-term loan used to cover daily expenses, like rent and payroll—can help you cover temporary cash flow problems.
Borrow money on an as-needed basis. If you don’t know the exact amount you need to borrow, a business line of credit could be a good option. Once a lender issues you a line of credit, you can withdraw funds up to a certain amount to cover business expenses and only pay interest on the amount you borrow.

2. Check Your Eligibility

Although business loan requirements vary, here are four things lenders are likely to consider when reviewing your small business loan application:

Credit score. When you apply for a business loan, a lender will review your personal and business credit scores. They help the lender assess the likelihood you’ll repay your loan. In general, the higher your credit score, the greater your chances of loan approval and receiving a low interest rate.
Collateral and/or personal guarantee. Some lenders require you to pledge collateral—something of value, such as equipment or inventory—it can seize if you default on the loan. Some lenders may also require a personal guarantee, meaning you have to secure the loan with personal assets, such as your savings, home or other valuable possessions.
Time in business. A traditional bank typically requires a business to have been in operation for at least two years, while an online lender usually requires only one year. If you’ve been operating your business for less than one year, don’t get discouraged. Some online lenders will approve qualified applicants who have only been in business for six months.
Annual revenue. Your total annual sales are also a relevant factor. Before applying, ask a lender what the requirements are and review your business finances to see if you meet them.

3. Compare Business Lending Options

There are several places you can find small business loans. Here are three of the most common types of lenders.

Online Lenders

Online lenders offer a variety of loan products to small business owners, including term loans, merchant cash advances, lines of credit and microloans. Loan approval rates were higher for online lenders than traditional banks as of 2019—80% versus 74%, respectively—according to a 2019 Small Business Credit Survey by the Federal Reserve.

One reason for this is that online lenders often have less stringent requirements than traditional banks. As a result, you may find it easier to get approved for a business loan with an online lender if you have less-than-stellar credit. In addition, online lenders often have much faster turnover—some may issue funds as soon as the same business day.

A major downside of taking out a business loan with an online lender, however, is that it often charges higher interest rates than a traditional bank.

Traditional Banks

Traditional banks provide many of the same types of business loans as online lenders. The main advantage of applying for a small business loan with a bank versus an online lender or microlender is that it typically offers lower rates for well-qualified applicants.

One disadvantage of applying for a business loan with a bank is that it often has more stringent eligibility requirements. If you have a bad personal credit score (a FICO score less than 580), you will likely have a hard time qualifying without a co-signer—someone who agrees to repay the loan if you fail to meet your payment obligations.

Traditional banks might also not be the best option if you need quick access to funds—applicants were most frustrated by long wait times, according to a 2019 SBCS survey. For example, SBA loans through a bank can take several weeks to months to process.

Microlenders

Microlenders are typically not-for-profit organizations that issue microloans up to $50,000 to qualified applicants, often designed to provide financing for business owners who don’t qualify for traditional business loans. Microlenders usually have less stringent eligibility requirements.

For example, the microlender Kiva does not have a minimum credit score requirement. Instead, it approves applicants based on “social capital.” To qualify, you have to get a certain number of people to lend money to you through Kiva’s platform before your loan request becomes public on their website.

4. Gather the Required Documents

Once you understand your lending options, gather the required documents. A lender will likely ask for these items:

Personal and business tax returns
Business licenses
Articles of incorporation
Personal and business bank statements
Profit and loss statements
Financial statements
Business plan
Building lease

If you’re unsure what documents are needed, contact the lender before applying.

5. Submit Your Application

The final step is to submit your small business loan application. Depending on what lender you’ve decided to work with, you can do this online or in person.

Here’s some information a lender might ask for:

Your name
Business name
Social Security number (SSN)
Desired loan amount
Loan purpose
Business Tax ID
Annual revenue

Once you submit your application, you’ll have to wait for an approval decision. If your loan is approved, a lender will send you a loan agreement to sign before issuing your funds or a line of credit you can draw from.