Average Business Loan Rates: What You Need to Know
When starting a business, your initial costs are one of the first things on your mind. How much will this cost me? How much can I reasonably borrow? What’s the interest rate? While these questions might seem trivial at first, they can have a significant impact on your company in the long run.
To get started and keep your business running, it’s important to find the right financing options. Business loans are an excellent way for your company to get access to capital quickly and at a reasonable cost. However, there are many different types of business loans available and each one has its own pros and cons.
These various financing options have different rates and terms that may or may not work for your business at this time. So let’s take a look at some of the most common forms of business loan interest rates today.
Need Money Fast?
Best Business Loan Lenders With Their Interest Rates
When you’re launching a new business, financing can often feel like the biggest hurdle. Even if you have enough cash to get started, small businesses often need financial assistance to get over the hump from a start-up to an operating company. Business loans are a great way for small businesses to access capital in a timely and affordable manner.
When your business needs money fast, it’s important to know your options and how much you can expect to pay back. To help you out, we’ve broken down the average loan rates for business loans so that you can understand the costs and potential benefits of each type of finance.
Balboa Capital
Balboa is a part of the Ameris Bancorp division. This direct lender offers unsecured loans to businesses with less than stellar credit who have been in operation for at least one year and have an annual revenue of $300,000. They offer multiple lines of financing options including credit lines, equipment financing, and short-term loans with a relatively fast decision process.
Borrowing amounts range from $5,000 to $5000,000, with repayment terms of 6 months to 5 years. Their interest rates aren’t fully available (although their short-term and line of credit rates are 1.1 to 1.2 factors) which means that the deciding factor will be your credit limit, amount, and length of repayments.
Credibility Capital
Credibility Capital has helped tens of thousands of people start their own businesses in over 200 countries worldwide. This direct lender provides competitive, low-interest options (8.99% to 17.99%) for entrepreneurs in business for two years, with an annual revenue of $200,000.
They offer small businesses amounts of $500,000, and lines of credit of $250,000 with a relatively fast payout – five days if all information provided is correct. Their lending criteria are rather strict, though. Borrowers need to have a high credit score (650), and no outstanding liens or bankruptcies. And while there are no fees involved in the application, there is a closing fee.
American Express (business loan)
This loan is only available to current Amex cardholders. American Express is a short-term, unsecured financing that is designed for businesses with a healthy credit score. They have flexible terms (6 months to three years) and average interest rates (6.98% to 19.97%).
Their $3,500 to $75,000 loans can be used to cover expenses such as payroll, inventory, rent, and utilities. They help companies get back on their feet after an unexpected expense or financial setback by not stipulating what their funds are used for. There are no origination fees and collateral is not needed to qualify.
Credibly
With Credibly, small and medium-sized businesses can get a reasonable loan from a direct, online lender. They also have offices in Arizona, Michigan, and New York for those who prefer a face-to-face application for peace of mind. A great thing about Credibly is their same-day payouts and no minimum credit score requirements.
As long as two years have passed since the discharge, they also work with businesses that have declared bankruptcy. Credibly offers loans from $5000 to $500,000 to businesses that have been operating for at least six months with factor rates from 1.15 to 1.45, and 9.99% APR depending on credit score.
BlueVine
BlueVine’s lines of credit are provided by Celtic bank and are perfect for start-ups operating for at least six months with a low credit threshold. Although their loans ($250,000 maximum) are quite easy to qualify for, they do have above-average stipulations. These include a very high APR (15.00-78.00%), and a guarantee to secure the credit.
Nonetheless, their application is no fuss, with borrowers needing to link their business accounts for verification, and decisions can be made instantly. Repayment terms range from six months to one year, but some borrowers may have to make weekly payments.
Big Think Capital
Big Think Capital finds various loans for small businesses. The first thing to note about this business lender is their wide range of borrowing options. These include short and long-term financing options (7.00%- 30.00%), as well as alternatives for those who can’t qualify for traditional lending.
Some of their options include equipment financing (8.00%- 20.00%), SBA loans (6.00%- 13.00%), invoice financing (1.50%- 3.50%), and cash advances (1.15%- 1.45%). Borrowers interested in Big Think Capital will have to find a guarantor to secure the loan, but they do offer financing to those with less-than-perfect credit.
Fundbox
Fundbox is an online lender that provides lines of credit as well as capital loans. To qualify, borrowers must be operating for at least six months and have an annual revenue of $100,000. Money can be available instantly to those even with a less-than-perfect credit score.
They offer loans of up to $150,000 with weekly repayment terms between one and two years. Their interest rates are high, ranging from 10.1% to 79.8%, depending on financial history. But their lending requirements are not as stringent as others on the market, those with a low credit score are able to qualify.
Average Business Loan Interest Rates by Loan Type
Business loans are available in a variety of forms and at varying interest rates. Depending on the type of business you operate, you may qualify with a lower interest rate or one that offers longer repayment terms. You may also qualify with flexible terms that allow you to pay over time instead of all at once.
To determine which one is right for you and your business, it helps to understand the different types of options available and the criteria each type of loan is based on. Let’s take a look.
SBA 7(a) loans
An SBA loan is a low-interest government financing to small businesses that have a goal of helping them grow or expand their operations. You can apply through the US Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA helps you to qualify by looking at your business plan, financial health, and other factors.
There are two main types of 7(a) loans: fixed-rate and variable-rate. In general, the difference between a fixed rate and a variable rate is how much interest you pay per year. A variable rate may be higher than a fixed rate, but it will also fluctuate with market interest rates.
SBA 7(a) variable loan interest rates
With a variable rate, the interest rate may rise as your business earns more. This means that you could end up paying more in interest over time than if you had borrowed a fixed rate.
Interest rates for SBA loans are determined by the prime rate, which is the measure financial institutions use to determine rates on consumer loans, and a margin agreed upon by both parties. The variable interest rate is determined by the maturity and size and length of the loan.
Variable rates for SBA 7(a) loans are as follows:
|
LOAN SIZE |
LOAN PAID OFF IN SEVEN YEARS OR LESS |
LOAN PAID OFF IN SEVEN YEARS OR MORE |
|
Less than $25,000 |
9% |
9.5% |
|
Amounts between $25,001 and $50,000 |
8% |
8.5% |
|
Over $50,000 |
7% |
7.5% |
SBA 7(a) fixed loan interest rates
Fixed-rate SBAs typically have lower interest rates and longer repayment periods than variable-rate SBAs. They also offer more flexibility in terms of how much you can borrow and when you can repay it. Essentially, a fixed-rate will have the same amount of money paid back over time, regardless of how much your business earns.
Fixed rates for SBA 7(a) loans are as follows:
|
LOAN AMOUNT |
FIXED RATE |
|
Less than $25,000 |
12.75% |
|
Amounts between $25,001 and $50,000 |
11.75% |
|
Amounts between $50,001 and $250,000. |
10.75% |
|
$250,000 or more |
9.75% |
Traditional Bank Loans and Lines of Credit
In some countries, banks are the only source of credit for many businesses. In these situations, a business that has a good credit rating can still struggle to find a line of credit. For many small-business owners, a traditional loan might seem like the easiest option – but in reality, it can be one of the most expensive.
This can result in high-interest rates, long repayment terms, and up-front fees. If you’re looking for a more affordable solution, a line of credit from your bank can be an attractive option because it typically has lower interest rates and shorter repayment terms.
Online loans
An online loan is accessed online, through a bank or other financial bureau. They are often short-term and are typically used to finance business or personal expenses. They can be very useful if you need quick cash flow to cover unexpected expenses.
As a general rule, online lending is similar to traditional bank lending, with a few important differences. One of the top advantages is that it is accessible virtually anywhere in the world. This means that you don’t have to worry about meeting any specific geographic requirements in order to qualify.
As a general rule, when you take out an online business loan, you can expect to receive a competitive interest rate and a flexible repayment schedule. In most cases, this type of lending will also come with attractive perks, such as zero percent financing or B2B discounts.
Merchant cash advances
A merchant cash advance is a short-term borrowing that is used to cover business expenses or pay off debts. You can use this to buy supplies for your business, pay for employee payroll, or even pay for repairs and improvements.
It can be a very useful tool if you need quick cash but don’t want to take on long-term debt. However, it should only be used as a last resort. Because it takes longer to process than a typical bank loan, it can also be more costly.
The main advantage of a merchant cash advance is that you get the money quickly. The main disadvantage is that you have to pay high-interest rates. Therefore, it is important that you only take out a small amount of money at first so that you can pay back the credit in full and avoid penalties.
Invoice factoring
Invoice factoring is a process whereby businesses can obtain funding for their expenses by selling the invoices of their business to a factoring company. It works on the principle that an invoice is not just proof of a business’s ability to pay, but also proof of its ability to receive payment.
Therefore, when a business sells an invoice to a factoring company, it is pledging its ability to receive payment in order to secure the money it needs. The factoring company then credits the invoiced amount against the business’s account and pays the difference out in full.
The benefit of invoice factoring is that it allows businesses to access secure short-term cash without having to go through the paperwork and application process. Furthermore, since you are only selling your invoices, you may pay less than you would for a traditional bank loan or for a line of credit with your business partner’s bank account.
In addition, invoice factoring can be used as collateral for future financing or as an investment option for those who have excess invoices from which they would like to earn interest income.
Types of Fees
Fees and interest are incurred when a bank or other lender makes money off the loan. They are usually charged in the form of interest or a service fee, and interest is calculated as a percentage of the principal amount of your loan.
There are also non-interest charges such as application fees, origination fees, and appraisal fees that may be applied when you apply for a loan. The type of credit and the amount you want to borrow also play an important role in determining the cost of your lending process.
For instance, if you want to borrow $20,000, a small credit union might charge less than a large bank because they have simpler products available to meet your needs at lower costs.
- Application fee: This fee is typically paid by the borrower, and it can be any amount of money. The purpose of this fee is to cover the cost of processing your application. Some lenders offer a no-fee option, so you don’t have to pay an application fee as long as you qualify under the program’s requirements.
- Origination fee: This fee is a charge that is taken at the time the loan is originated. It can be charged as a percentage of the borrowed amount or as an annual fixed fee. It is used to cover the costs associated with processing an application.
These include things like processing fees and expenses related to managing and servicing the account, such as paper, printing, and accountancy fees.
For example, if you are purchasing a home, you may be charged an origination fee in addition to your lender’s closing cost.
- Prepayment penalty: This fee is charged by a lender when you choose to pay off your loan early. It’s important to know whether or not you are likely to be charged with either type of penalty if you choose to pay off your debt early.
Lenders can charge a prepayment penalty as high as 3 percent in some cases. When you’re looking at options, ask how much of a fee you would be charged if you were to repay early. - Late payment fees: This fee is charged by a lender for not making payments on time. Typically, this fee is equal to one month’s interest, so if you miss a payment, even by just one day, you will be charged the full month’s interest. In addition to being expensive, this can cause problems down the road.
You should also consider if there are any fees associated with the type of loan that you are applying for; for example, fees for an appraisal or fees for pre-qualified credit cards.
What Factors Impact Business Loan Rates?
All business loans have a set interest rate that the lender charges. This is the cost that you will pay to borrow money from a bank or other lending institution. Although the cost of a business loan is generally determined by several factors, including the amount and terms, it can be impacted by a range of variables.
These include both external factors, such as economic conditions and interest rates, and internal factors, such as an organization’s credit history, profitability, and liquidity. It is important to understand interest rates because they can have a significant impact on your repayment and overall financial situation.
Credit Profile
One key factor that can impact business loan rates is the borrower’s credit score. A high credit score typically indicates that a business has a strong track record of paying back its debts on time, which makes it more likely to be approved for a loan, or get a lower interest rate, regardless of its other financial characteristics.
Conversely, a low credit score indicates that the business is more likely to be rejected for a loan even if it meets all other criteria.
Business Finances
While some issuers may offer lower rates for small-scale businesses or startups that have only recently started operations, loan interest rates can be impacted by a variety of factors. These include the company’s overall financial stability and strength, as well as its current level of debt.
In addition, factors that can affect loan interest rates include the company’s business model, industry, and location. For example, if a company is operating in a highly competitive industry with a high risk of bankruptcy, it may face higher interest rates to compensate lenders for their increased risk.
Time In Business
Another factor that can affect business loan rates is the size of the business. Borrowers with a proven track record and collateral who will be able to repay the loan in full are preferred by lenders.
Smaller businesses are typically required to pay higher interest rates than larger ones because they have fewer resources available to bear the costs of borrowing. This is because lenders are wary of taking on businesses with little or no assets backing them up.
FAQs
- What is the average interest rate on a business loan? For a traditional business line of credit, variable and fixed interest rates can range from 7% to 13%. Although some can go as high as 79.8% for low-credit loans.
- Which bank is best for business loans? Some of the most ideal business financing options come from Capital One, Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Love Oak Bank.
- Are business loans higher interest? Not necessarily. Lenders’ interest rates vary widely for businesses due to a number of factors. In spite of the fact that business interest rates can be higher than other rates for start-ups, they are still lower than other forms of financing, such as personal loans.