Is a Small-Business Loan Secured or Unsecured?
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How much do you need?
What’s the difference between secured and unsecured business loans?
Secured business loans are backed by specific collateral
Unsecured business loans don’t require specific collateral
Secured vs. unsecured business loans
Secured business loans | Unsecured business loans | |
---|---|---|
Loan amount | Larger borrowing amounts. | Smaller borrowing amounts. |
Loan terms | Longer repayment period. | Shorter repayment period. |
Interest rates | Lower interest rates. | Higher interest rates. |
Funding speed | Slower to fund. May require an appraisal of the assets used for collateral. | Faster to fund. |
Qualification requirements | Can be easier to qualify for. Lenders may prioritize the value of your collateral, even if you’re a newer business or don’t have perfect credit. | Can be harder to qualify for. Without the security of collateral, lenders may focus more closely on credit score and business history. |
Choosing a secured or unsecured business loan
- You want better loan terms. Putting up collateral (provided that you’re willing to do so and have it) can help you access larger loan amounts, lower interest rates and longer repayment terms — especially if you have strong credit and solid business finances.
- You’re a new business or don’t have great credit. If you’re a new business or don’t have perfect credit, offering up collateral can make it easier to qualify for some types of small-business loans. However, it may still be challenging to qualify for a secured loan from a bank or credit union, as these lenders typically require excellent credit and multiple years in business.
- You don’t have collateral or don’t want to put your business assets on the line. If you don’t have adequate collateral or don’t want to put your business assets at risk, an unsecured loan may be a better option. However, keep in mind that most lenders will require a personal guarantee or UCC lien, so you’ll need to put up some form of security, even if it isn’t physical collateral.
- You need fast access to short-term financing. If you need to cover immediate or emergency expenses, an unsecured loan — or unsecured line of credit — may offer quicker access to capital. In exchange for speed and shorter repayment terms, however, unsecured loans typically have smaller loan amounts and higher interest rates compared to secured loans. Without collateral, lenders will also rely more heavily on your credit score and business history to evaluate your loan application.
