Real Answers to the Questions Business Owners Ask

No. Applying is completely free. Talking to us is completely free. Our fee comes from the lender when your deal closes — you pay nothing directly, ever. If your deal does not close for any reason, you owe nothing.

Fill out the application at our apply page, call us at (877) 935-8266, or email info@smallbusinesslendingus.com. We start with a conversation — not a stack of paperwork. Tell us what you need and we will tell you immediately what options exist for your situation.

A bank decline is not a universal decline. Banks have one product and one credit box. We have 250+ lender sources and 9 products. Deals that banks decline every day get approved through our network. Tell us why you were declined — that helps us target the right sources immediately.

Our initial review does not require a hard pull. A hard inquiry occurs when we formally submit to lenders. We minimize unnecessary pulls by targeting only the most likely approvals before submitting — we do not shotgun your application to everyone in our network.

It varies significantly by product:

• SBA Loans: 640+ preferred. Some lenders go lower.
• Equipment (A credit): 720+. Best rates.
• Equipment (B credit): 650–719. Good options available.
• Equipment (C credit): 580–649. Programs exist, rates higher.
• Working Capital: 580+ preferred, revenue matters as much as credit.
• Merchant Cash Advance: Credit score is secondary — card revenue history is primary. 500+ is usually fine.
• Hard Money: Asset value is primary. Credit less critical.

If your credit is challenged, tell us — we focus on the products where credit matters least.

Most products prefer 2+ years. But MCA often only requires 3–6 months with consistent revenue. Equipment financing considers startups with strong personal credit. SBA can fund business acquisitions for buyers without prior operating history. Do not assume you are disqualified — call us first.

It varies by product and loan size:

• MCA: $10,000+/month in credit/debit card processing
• Working Capital: $15,000+/month gross revenue typically
• SBA Loans: Sufficient cash flow to service the new debt — typically 1.25x DSCR
• Equipment (app-only under $150K): Minimal revenue requirement — credit and business history matter more

An active open bankruptcy is disqualifying for most products. A discharged bankruptcy that is 2+ years old may still allow qualification for certain products — particularly equipment financing and MCA. Describe your specific situation and we will assess honestly what exists.

It depends entirely on the product:

• Merchant Cash Advance: 24–72 hours from application to funding
• Working Capital / Term Loan: 3–10 business days
• Equipment (app-only, under $150K): 2–5 business days
• SBA 7(a) Standard: 30–90 days
• Commercial Real Estate: 30–60 days conventional; 7–14 days hard money

If speed is critical, tell us upfront. We match you with the fastest viable option, not just the fastest one we have.

The Merchant Cash Advance is the fastest product we carry — 24–48 hour approvals and 1–3 day funding in many cases. It is also typically the most expensive product. If you need capital that fast, we will be upfront about the cost and let you decide whether MCA or a slightly slower but cheaper option is the right call for your situation.

Varies by product:

• MCA and small working capital: 3–6 months business bank statements + voided check
• Equipment under $150K (app-only): Application + equipment description or invoice
• Larger equipment and working capital: 2 years tax returns, current P&L, 6 months bank statements
• SBA Loans: 3 years tax returns, current financials, personal financial statement, business licenses
• Commercial Real Estate: 3 years returns, rent rolls, property financials

We tell you exactly what is needed for your specific deal — not a blanket checklist.

Current approximate ranges:

• SBA 7(a): ~9–11% (prime + 2.75–4.75%)
• Equipment (A credit): 4–8% implied
• Equipment (B/C credit): 9–18% implied
• Working Capital: 8–25% depending on profile and term
• Commercial Real Estate: 6.5–9.5% conventional
• MCA: Factor rate 1.10–1.50 (not an interest rate)
• Hard Money: 9–14% + 2–4 points

Call us for a current estimate on your specific deal type and profile.

A factor rate is used for Merchant Cash Advances. It is a multiplier, not an annual rate. If your advance is $50,000 at a factor rate of 1.30, your total repayment is $65,000 — regardless of how long it takes. There is no interest accrual over time.

Converting to an APR equivalent depends on your repayment speed. A $50,000 advance at 1.30 repaid over 6 months might be equivalent to a 60% APR. The same advance repaid over 12 months might be 30%. The cost is fixed; the effective rate depends on speed. We will calculate the APR equivalent for your specific deal so you can compare it honestly to alternatives.

We itemize all fees before you sign anything. Common fees depending on product: origination fees (1–3%), documentation fees, appraisal costs on real estate, prepayment penalties on some SBA and CRE products. Nothing is hidden. No surprises at closing — we guarantee it.

We receive a fee from the lender when your deal closes. You do not pay us directly. Our fee is built into the lender's compensation structure. If you want to know what we earn on your deal, ask — we will tell you. Transparency is not something we selectively apply.

Use MCA when: You need capital in 24–72 hours. Your credit is challenged. You are a newer business. You have consistent high card processing volume. You need a bridge while other financing is arranged.

Use a working capital term loan when: You can afford 1–2 weeks. You have 2+ years in business with solid revenue. You have a specific one-time need. You want a fixed payment over a defined term.

Our policy: We show you the lowest-cost option you qualify for first. If a term loan works, we recommend it over MCA. Always.

Lease: Lower payments. Upgrade at end of term. May be off-balance-sheet. Payments may be fully deductible as operating expense. Best for equipment that depreciates fast — technology, vehicles.

Equipment Finance Agreement (EFA / Loan): You own it Day 1. Eligible for Section 179 depreciation. Fixed payments. Early payoff typically allowed. Best for long-lived equipment where ownership and the tax deduction matter.

Sale-Leaseback: You already own equipment and need cash now. Sell it to a financing company, they lease it back to you. Immediate lump sum. No disruption to operations.

It depends on the product. MCA requires no collateral — approval is based on card revenue. Working capital loans up to $2M are often unsecured for qualified borrowers. Equipment financing is secured by the equipment itself. SBA loans under $25K require no collateral; above that, lender discretion applies. Commercial real estate and hard money are secured by the property.

One call handles everything. Many businesses need a combination — for example, equipment financing for a new machine and a working capital line for operations. We structure the full package and manage all of it simultaneously. One contact, one process, one closing timeline.

We target 2–4 lenders specifically suited to your deal — not everyone in the network. We tell you which lenders we are submitting to and why before we submit. You are not in the dark about where your information is going.

We present all offers in plain language — rate, term, total cost, conditions. We give you our honest recommendation. You decide. No pressure to accept any offer on any timeline. If none of the offers work for you, you owe nothing and are under no obligation.

No problem. No obligation. No fee. We simply remain available if your circumstances change or if a different need arises. Many clients come back to us months or years later when the timing is right.