Olivia Chen

Lead Writer | Small-business lending, business finance

Olivia Chen comes to NerdWallet with five-plus years of experience in the CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) industry, particularly working with MWBE (Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise) and LMI (Low Moderate Income) small businesses. She is certified through the American Banker’s Association in Business and Commercial Lending. Her work has appeared in The Associated Press and NASDAQ among other publications.

Education: B.A. in anthropology from University of Notre Dame
Credentials: ABA Certified in Business and Commercial Lending
Previous experience: Colorado Enterprise Fund Inc., TruFund Financial Services Inc.

Olivia's picks

Pros and Cons of SBA Loans

by Lisa Anthony

There’s a lot to like about SBA loans, but they also come with some drawbacks that are worth considering.

Smart Money Podcast: Nerdy Business: Setting Your Business Up for Success

by Sean Pyles, Rosalie Murphy

SBA Loan Overview: Types, Pros and Cons, How to Apply

by Rosalie Murphy, Randa Kriss

SBA loans are small-business loans offered by banks and online lenders and partly guaranteed by the government.

Olivia has also nerded out in...

Other publications

The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Nasdaq, MSN

The latest from Olivia

Small-Business Owners Share Their Best Tips to Boost Revenue

Building your network, diversifying products and income streams and prioritizing authenticity are tools that can help you boost your small-business revenue.

Does a Business Loan Affect Personal Credit?

A business loan alone shouldn't appear on your personal credit report; however, it can affect your personal credit in other ways.

What Is Debt Service Coverage Ratio?

Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) is calculated by dividing your business’s total debt obligations by its net operating income.

What Are High-Risk Business Loans?

High-risk business loans are for borrowers deemed by lenders to be a substantial risk in terms of ability to repay.

What Small-Business Owners Need to Know About NIL Sponsorships

Small-business owners can use name, image, likeness sponsorships, but should be intentional and avoid investing simply as fans.

Should You Use Credit Card Stacking to Fund Your Business?

Credit card stacking can work for some small businesses, but it comes with risks.

Loan Glossary: Financing Terms Business Owners Should Know

Financing terms like cash flow, APR and loan default are important for any small-business owner to know.

What Is Invoice Discounting and How Does It Work?

Invoice discounting, or invoice financing, is a business financing method that uses unpaid customer invoices as collateral for a loan.

What Is a Small Business?

Small businesses are private corporations, partnerships or sole proprietorships that meet revenue or employee standards, as defined by the SBA.

Businesses Can Still Claim Worker Tax Credit From the Pandemic

If your business operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s still time to file claims for the Employee Retention Credit.

What Is Equity Financing — and Is It Right for Your Business?

Equity financing is an alternative to debt financing for startups and high-growth companies, but it’s not accessible for every small business.

5 Tips to Write a Successful Business Plan

A business plan can help you get funding and navigate the ups and downs of running a business.

What Is a Business Loan?

Business loans are funds borrowed from a lender for business purposes. They include term loans, disaster loans, lines of credit and more.

Shopify Capital Business Loans: 2024 Review

Shopify Capital offers financing for Shopify sellers through business loans and merchant cash advances.

What Is an Equity Injection?

An equity injection can either be a down payment provided by a business owner in order to qualify for certain financing or investor capital given in exchange for partial ownership of the business.