Business owner organizing a lender-ready funding profile with a funding advisor

Before Applying for Business Funding, Build a Profile Lenders Can Review Quickly

Before applying for business funding, build a profile lenders can review quickly. Many funding conversations become easier when the owner already has the core applicant, business, credit and financial information organized. A lender-ready profile may include applicant information, business name, entity type, business formation date, EIN, state of organization, ownership percentage, annual business revenue, nature…

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Business owner comparing different business funding options with a financial specialist

Which Business Funding Options Are Easier to Qualify For?

Not every business funding product has the same qualification difficulty. A business that does not fit a traditional bank loan may still fit another financing category with different credit, revenue or operating-history requirements. The funding guide places business credit cards among the easier financing categories, followed by options such as merchant cash advances and working-capital…

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U.S. business owner reviewing SBA funding readiness while planning future business growth

Planning Global Growth? First Check Whether Your U.S. Business Is SBA-Ready

Business owners planning future growth may consider several financing paths, including SBA-backed lending. Before moving forward, it helps to understand the basic borrower and business factors commonly reviewed in an SBA financing conversation. For SBA 7(a) financing, typical eligibility includes operating as a for-profit U.S. business, meeting applicable SBA size standards, demonstrating an ability to…

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Startup founder reviewing business credit card readiness and business registration documents

Startup Business Credit Cards: Strong Personal Credit May Open the First Door

A new business does not always need years of revenue history before exploring business financing. Business credit cards are typically among the easier funding categories to qualify for, particularly when the owner has strong personal credit. The funding guide identifies good to excellent personal credit, commonly around 740 or higher, as an important benchmark. A…

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Business owner reviewing line of credit qualification documents and financial statements

Business Line of Credit Qualification: 4 Benchmarks Owners Should Check First

A traditional business line of credit can provide revolving access to capital, but banks generally apply stricter qualification standards than many alternative business funding products. Typical eligibility benchmarks can include a personal credit score around 720 or higher, at least one to two years in business and approximately $100,000 to $250,000 or more in annual…

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Business buyer reviewing a lender-ready acquisition funding file with a financial advisor

Buying a Business? Build the Funding File Before You Approach a Lender

Buying a business may require more than finding the right opportunity. When financing is part of the plan, the buyer should also be ready to present a clear financial profile that a funding provider can review efficiently. A lender-ready file can include the business entity type, formation date, EIN, ownership percentage, annual business revenue, business…

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