Two Common Paths to Business Funding When a business needs access to capital, two of the most common options are business credit cards and business loans. While both can provide the funds needed to cover expenses, grow operations, or manage cash flow, they work very differently and are suited to different situations. Understanding those differences … Read more
What Is an SBA Express Loan? An SBA Express loan is a variation of the standard SBA 7(a) loan program designed to speed up the approval process. The main appeal of SBA Express is right in the name: lenders receive an expedited response from the SBA on whether the loan qualifies for a guarantee, often … Read more
What Is a Merchant Cash Advance? A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a form of financing in which a business receives a lump sum of cash upfront in exchange for a percentage of its future sales, typically debit and credit card revenue. Unlike a traditional loan, an MCA is not technically classified as a loan … Read more
Setting Yourself Up for a Stronger Application Getting approved for a business loan often comes down to preparation. While lenders differ in their exact requirements, there are several well-established steps that can meaningfully improve your odds of approval, regardless of which type of financing you’re pursuing. Taking the time to strengthen these areas before you … Read more
What Is an SBA Microloan? The SBA Microloan program is designed for small businesses and nonprofit child care centers that need a relatively small amount of financing to get started or grow. Rather than being issued directly by banks, SBA microloans are distributed through nonprofit, community-based intermediary lenders that the SBA has approved and funded. … Read more
What Is Invoice Factoring? Invoice factoring is a financing option that allows businesses to convert unpaid customer invoices into immediate cash, rather than waiting the typical 30, 60, or 90 days for payment. Instead of taking out a traditional loan, a business sells its outstanding invoices to a third-party company, known as a factor, at … Read more
Why a Business Plan Matters to Lenders For many business loan applications, especially those involving startups, larger loan amounts, or SBA-backed financing, lenders ask for a business plan. A well-crafted plan does more than describe your idea — it demonstrates that you understand your market, have a realistic strategy, and know how you’ll generate the … Read more
What Is an SBA 504 Loan? The SBA 504 loan program is designed specifically to help small businesses finance major fixed assets, primarily commercial real estate and heavy equipment. Unlike the more general-purpose SBA 7(a) program, 504 loans are structured around long-term investments that support business growth and job creation, such as purchasing a building, … Read more
Farming and ranching operations face financing needs unlike almost any other industry, shaped by seasonal cycles, weather risk, and the long timeline between planting or breeding and eventual income. Whether you’re covering the cost of seed and fertilizer for the season, replacing aging equipment, or expanding your land holdings, understanding agricultural financing options can help … Read more
Two Approaches to Pricing Risk Over Time When you take out a business loan, one of the key decisions you may face is whether to choose a fixed interest rate or a variable one. Each approach handles risk differently, and the right choice often depends on your business’s cash flow, how long you’ll carry the … Read more