Types of Small Business Financing
Navigating business credit can be difficult because commercial lending is not subject to the same consumer disclosure rules (such as the Truth in Lending Act APR mandates in certain states).
1. Revolving Business Line of Credit (LOC)
- Functions similarly to a high-limit business credit card.
- You are approved for a maximum borrowing limit (e.g., $100,000) and only pay interest on the exact dollar amount drawn.
- As you repay the principal, your available credit replenishes automatically.
- Best for: Cash flow fluctuations, emergency repairs, payroll buffer.
2. Short-Term Business Loans
- Fixed lump-sum capital with fixed weekly or monthly repayments over 6 to 24 months.
- Underwriting focuses on your last 3–6 months of business bank statement cash flows rather than multi-year tax returns.
- Best for: Equipment purchase, expansion, bulk inventory discounts.
3. Invoice Factoring & Accounts Receivable Financing
- Advances up to 85% - 90% of outstanding B2B invoice values immediately.
- The factoring company collects from your client and remits the remaining balance minus their factoring fee (1% - 3% per month).
- Best for: B2B companies with Net-30 or Net-60 payment terms.
---
Warning: Factor Rates vs. True APR
Many short-term commercial lenders quote a Factor Rate instead of an APR. A factor rate of 1.20 on a $100,000 advance means you repay $120,000 ($100,000 × 1.20).
While this sounds like "20% interest", if the loan term is only 6 months with daily or weekly ACH debits, the effective annualized APR can exceed 45% to 75% because the principal balance decreases while the flat fee remains fixed. Always calculate the true APR before signing.
---
What Underwriters Require in 2026
- Annual Revenue: Most modern fintech lenders require at least $100,000 in gross annual revenue ($8,500/month in bank deposits).
- Time in Business: At least 6 to 24 months of operational history.
- Personal Credit Score: While your business financials dictate loan size, most lenders require a personal owner FICO score of 600+.
- Bank Account Health: Clean bank statements with minimal non-sufficient funds (NSF) or overdraft flags.