Institutions offering the best-unsecured business loans include On Deck, Pop cash Funding, Factory Finance, Rapid Finance, National Funding.
Running a business from a startup to a multi-million-dollar corporation requires funds in loans. Eligible business owners can request loans from banks or other financial institutions to access capital or cover expenses.
Since most business owners do not have a booming business or stellar credit score, it is challenging for them to secure a traditional business loan. These entrepreneurs are looking for the best-unsecured business loans to boost their business.
However, since traditional banks turn down several business persons, they resort to alternative lenders. These lenders are willing to offer unsecured businesses loans to those with unfavorable credit scores.
Most alternative lenders provide an ideal platform for borrowers to access financing faster. You can apply for a loan online and have it processed the same day to continue with your business.
Nevertheless, the market is flooded with alternative financing institutions that could confuse you. We have researched different options and listed the best business loans in 2022 to simplify your selection.
- OnDeck: Best for unsecured business loans
OnDeck is an alternative financing platform founded in 2006, providing the best unsecured business loans and lines of credit to entrepreneurs. They have extended over $14 billion in loans to small businesses, demonstrating stability and reliability.
It is one of the best alternative financial institutions with various business loan products. Borrowers are awarded credit the same day they qualify for the loan.
Their loan term ranges from $5,000 to $250,000, which you should repay in 2 years. They also have a line credit limit of $6,000 to $100,000 repayable within 12 months. Though the process is done online, you can talk to their representative on the phone and inquire about any concerns.
Eligibility: You are also required to have a good FICO credit score of 600, and your business should have gross annual revenue of $100,000. The institution also requires that you have a business checking account and must have been operating for one year.
The only setback with this unsecured business loan platform is that it is unavailable in some states like North and South Dakota and Nevada. It also does not serve certain industries.
- Popcash funding: Best for fast unsecured business loans
This lending platform provides entrepreneurs with online installment loans. They do not consider your credit score, meaning you can get a loan even with a fair or weak FICO credit score.
Popcash funding credit limits range between $200 and $5,000, providing you with the opportunity to get quick access to capital or loan to cater to immediate business expenses. You can also acquire personal loans such as payday loans by filling out a single application form.
Their loan form is simple to fill, and you can know whether you qualify within minutes. The money is wired to your bank account on the next business day. PopCash funding platform connects you with an appropriate lender based on your provided details.
Ensure you read the loan terms before signing it and ensure the terms and charges are what you want. Also, avoid taking loans you cannot repay because missed or late repayment will incur additional charges.
- Finance Factory: Best for startup business loans with no revenue.
Every business starts somewhere with no revenue; however, they also need loans to advance operations. Finance Factory is your best bet, providing startups business loans with no revenue streams or business history. However, they require that you have at least one of the Cs- cash flow, credit, or collateral.
If you do not have collateral or cash flow and want to finance your startup, Finance Factory can still provide you with the best unsecured business loan if your credit score is above 600 but ideal at 680 scores. The loan application process from this platform is also streamlined to allow you to request a loan faster.
Furthermore, they also provide cash advances for business owners who want to grow their businesses in the United States. Their range for startup funding involves a loan range of $5,000 to $35,000, with a loan term range of 0-7 years.
They charge an interest rate ranging from 0% (the 21 months) to 15% and a fee range of 4.5% to 9.9%. After application, it takes 7-10 days to process your loan, and the loan would be in the form of lines of credit, business credit cards, and personal loans.
You do not need business history or annual revenue; however, the platform requires you have at least a $1,000 account balance to cover the payments. Ensure your business does not have late payments, liens, collections, or public records; otherwise, you will not qualify.
- National Funding: Best for flexible business loans for those with fair and average credit
National Funding is an alternative lender that provides small businesses with short-term financing, leasing, and equipment financing. It provides immediate cash advances for businesses that do not have a sterling credit score and can repay their loan promptly.
Some of the factors making National Funding stand out are its quick application process and funding within the same day. The qualification standards are not too high since you can get a loan with a lower credit score of 600. If you repay your equipment financing early, you will receive a 6% discount on the balance.
Nevertheless, National funding requires that you do daily or weekly repayments, which could strain a startup. The borrowing costs (15% to 30%) are relatively high compared to other alternatives in the market.
- Rapid Finance: Best cash advance for business
Rapid finance offers the best-unsecured business loans for entrepreneurs who need quick cash advances. If you have a startup or running a business with a bad credit score of 550, you can still qualify for a cash advance for businesses from Rapid Finance.
This merchant cash advances company provides loans of up to $500,000 with a rating factor starting from 1.12. You can apply for Merchant Cash Advance online from Rapid Finance and receive your funding within 24 hours. You only need a government-issued ID, business bank account statements (the last three), credit card processing statements (the last three), and your business checking accounts voided checks.
Though Rapid Finance could be relatively more expensive than some of its competitors, it is flexible and fast, thus an excellent option for individuals unable to qualify for other credit facilities. With Rapid Finance, you can access other loan products like lines of credit and short-term loans, providing businesses with several financing options.
- How do business loans work?
A business loan is commercial financing qualified businesses receive from credit unions, online lenders, and traditional banks. Entrepreneurs apply for these loans to cover their operational and development costs.
Business loans follow the following process:
Lenders provide business owners with financing options: a credit line or lump-sum payment. The business receiving the loan agrees to repay the money over a stipulated period with the interest and fees.
Loan terms differ from one lender to the other, with some lenders requiring daily, weekly, or monthly repayments. It is should also be noted that business loans can be secured or unsecured.
Secured loans are supported by collateral- which the lender can repossess if you are unable to pay the loan. Collateral can be equipment, real estate, or investments. On the other hand, unsecured loans are not supported by collateral; you only sign an agreement agreeing to be personally liable for the loan if the business fails to repay the debts.
Types of Unsecured Business Loans
If you are considering a business loan for a startup or growing your business, you could go for one of the common business loans available. Here are some funding options worth considering.
· SBA Loan
These loans are available in the United States and are supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA guarantees part of the loan you borrow from the lender, thus lowering the default risk. Most lenders agree to extend credit to businesses that could not have otherwise qualified for financing.
Furthermore, SBA loans attract favorable interest for qualified borrowers with a handsome range of ($30,000 to $5 million) to be repaid within 25 years. However, be ready to go through the long qualification process and ensure your credit score is not below 680.
· Term loan
Traditional banks and online lenders are the major providers of this type of business financing. Startups do well to consider online lenders with lower qualification requirements. The loan term average is 10 years, and the loan amount caps at $500,000. Your loan term is determined by your business’s annual revenue, history, and creditworthiness.
· Working capital loan
WCL is a short-term credit offered to businesses that need cash to cover their daily operational expenses, such as salaries. Seasonal businesses are the greatest beneficiaries of this loan type, especially during low seasons. The terms for this depend on the type of funding and the level of the borrower’s risk. Working capital loans range from $2,000 to $5 million.
· Lines of credit
Lines of credit is a flexible borrowing option preferred by entrepreneurs who do not know the amount they need upfront. It allows you to access credit between $2,000 to $250,000, which you can take whenever needed. It is like a credit card available for business purposes. The beauty of lines of credit is that your credit limit is available for reuse as you repay through the loan period.
Other best-unsecured business loans include:
- Merchant cash advances for businesses
- Invoice factoring
- Equipment financing.
Conclusion
Do you lack money to start a business or grow an existing venture but have an unfavorable credit score? There are several financing alternatives with less stringent requirements. These financing alternatives will provide you with the needed finances to keep your businesses running.
What best-unsecured business loan would you recommend to a business with low credit scores?