Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She has nearly a decade of experience in digital content. Prior to joining NerdWallet in 2020, Randa worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics and specializing in the lending and banking spaces. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She has nearly a decade of experience in digital content. Prior to joining NerdWallet in 2020, Randa worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics and specializing in the lending and banking spaces. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Sally Lauckner has over a decade of experience in print and online journalism. Before joining NerdWallet, Sally was the editorial director at Fundera, where she built and led a team focused on small-business content. Her prior experience includes two years as a senior editor at SmartAsset, where she edited a wide range of personal finance content, and five years at the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, where she held a variety of editorial roles. She has a master's in journalism from New York University and a bachelor's in English and history from Columbia University. Email: slauckner@nerdwallet.com.
Sally Lauckner has over a decade of experience in print and online journalism. Before joining NerdWallet, Sally was the editorial director at Fundera, where she built and led a team focused on small-business content. Her prior experience includes two years as a senior editor at SmartAsset, where she edited a wide range of personal finance content, and five years at the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, where she held a variety of editorial roles. She has a master's in journalism from New York University and a bachelor's in English and history from Columbia University. Email: slauckner@nerdwallet.com.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small business and personal finance.
50+ categories of the best business loan selections.
NerdWallet's small-business loans content, including ratings, recommendations and reviews, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity to ensure accuracy and fairness in our coverage.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She has nearly a decade of experience in digital content. Prior to joining NerdWallet in 2020, Randa worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics and specializing in the lending and banking spaces. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She has nearly a decade of experience in digital content. Prior to joining NerdWallet in 2020, Randa worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics and specializing in the lending and banking spaces. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Sally Lauckner has over a decade of experience in print and online journalism. Before joining NerdWallet, Sally was the editorial director at Fundera, where she built and led a team focused on small-business content. Her prior experience includes two years as a senior editor at SmartAsset, where she edited a wide range of personal finance content, and five years at the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, where she held a variety of editorial roles. She has a master's in journalism from New York University and a bachelor's in English and history from Columbia University. Email: slauckner@nerdwallet.com.
Sally Lauckner has over a decade of experience in print and online journalism. Before joining NerdWallet, Sally was the editorial director at Fundera, where she built and led a team focused on small-business content. Her prior experience includes two years as a senior editor at SmartAsset, where she edited a wide range of personal finance content, and five years at the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, where she held a variety of editorial roles. She has a master's in journalism from New York University and a bachelor's in English and history from Columbia University. Email: slauckner@nerdwallet.com.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small business and personal finance.
50+ categories of the best business loan selections.
NerdWallet's small-business loans content, including ratings, recommendations and reviews, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity to ensure accuracy and fairness in our coverage.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
If you have bad credit (a score below 630), it’s difficult to get a small-business loan from a bank or credit union. But online and nonprofit lenders offer bad credit business loans to borrowers with personal credit scores as low as 500.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small business and personal finance.
50+ categories of the best business loan selections.
NerdWallet's small-business loans content, including ratings, recommendations and reviews, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity to ensure accuracy and fairness in our coverage.
Specifically designed for freelancers and self-employed individuals.
Cons
Funding maxes out at $10,000 ($20,000 for repeat customers).
Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
Charges an origination fee.
Giggle Finance is specifically designed to offer small amounts of capital to freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. The company provides same-day funding through a simple application process. Giggle is also a standout option for borrowers with bad credit — as the company does not check your credit and instead uses your bank information to underwrite your application.
Minimum credit score: All credit scores may be accepted (ranging from 300 to 850).
Specifically designed for freelancers and self-employed individuals.
Cons
Funding maxes out at $10,000 ($20,000 for repeat customers).
Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
Charges an origination fee.
Giggle Finance is specifically designed to offer small amounts of capital to freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. The company provides same-day funding through a simple application process. Giggle is also a standout option for borrowers with bad credit — as the company does not check your credit and instead uses your bank information to underwrite your application.
Minimum credit score: All credit scores may be accepted (ranging from 300 to 850).
Designed to finance traditionally underserved businesses.
Startups and business owners with bad credit may be able to qualify.
Competitive interest rates, low fees and long repayment terms.
Intermediaries typically offer business training and educational resources.
Cons
Loan amounts max out at $50,000.
Can’t be used to pay existing debt or purchase real estate.
Collateral is likely required.
Slow funding timeline.
SBA microloans are funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and issued through approved intermediaries, typically nonprofit and community lenders. Microloans stand out as a choice for traditionally underserved businesses, such as startups, women-owned companies and businesses located in low-income communities. Although SBA microloans only provide up to $50,000, they offer competitive interest rates and repayment terms. They also have flexible eligibility requirements — making them a good option for borrowers who can’t qualify for other business loans.
Be a U.S. business.
Show your ability to repay the loan.
Personal guarantee and collateral likely required.
Specific financial qualifications determined by individual lender.
Designed to finance traditionally underserved businesses.
Startups and business owners with bad credit may be able to qualify.
Competitive interest rates, low fees and long repayment terms.
Intermediaries typically offer business training and educational resources.
Cons
Loan amounts max out at $50,000.
Can’t be used to pay existing debt or purchase real estate.
Collateral is likely required.
Slow funding timeline.
SBA microloans are funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and issued through approved intermediaries, typically nonprofit and community lenders. Microloans stand out as a choice for traditionally underserved businesses, such as startups, women-owned companies and businesses located in low-income communities. Although SBA microloans only provide up to $50,000, they offer competitive interest rates and repayment terms. They also have flexible eligibility requirements — making them a good option for borrowers who can’t qualify for other business loans.
Be a U.S. business.
Show your ability to repay the loan.
Personal guarantee and collateral likely required.
Specific financial qualifications determined by individual lender.
Charges a factor rate that makes it more difficult to compare costs with other lenders.
Can’t build business credit.
Longest loan term is 18 months.
Charges an origination fee.
Fora Financial stands out as a fast funding option for borrowers who may fall short of qualifying for traditional bank financing. The lender can work with startups and borrowers with bad credit — as long as they have strong revenue. Fora offers large maximum loan amounts and can provide prepayment discounts for those who repay early.
In business for at least six months.
At least $20,000 per month in revenue.
No open bankruptcies or dismissed bankruptcies within the past year.
Charges a factor rate that makes it more difficult to compare costs with other lenders.
Can’t build business credit.
Longest loan term is 18 months.
Charges an origination fee.
Fora Financial stands out as a fast funding option for borrowers who may fall short of qualifying for traditional bank financing. The lender can work with startups and borrowers with bad credit — as long as they have strong revenue. Fora offers large maximum loan amounts and can provide prepayment discounts for those who repay early.
In business for at least six months.
At least $20,000 per month in revenue.
No open bankruptcies or dismissed bankruptcies within the past year.
Simple application with minimal documentation required.
Low minimum credit score requirement.
Daily or weekly repayment available.
Offers prepayment discounts.
Cons
Business assets required as collateral in some cases.
Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
Charges an origination fee and a monthly servicing fee.
Expansion Capital Group stands out as a merchant cash advance option for startups and borrowers with bad credit. The company has a simple and streamlined application process and may be able to issue funding within hours of you signing your agreement. Expansion Capital Group also offers prepayment discounts if you’re able to repay your advance early.
Simple application with minimal documentation required.
Low minimum credit score requirement.
Daily or weekly repayment available.
Offers prepayment discounts.
Cons
Business assets required as collateral in some cases.
Factor rate and fee information not available on website.
Charges an origination fee and a monthly servicing fee.
Expansion Capital Group stands out as a merchant cash advance option for startups and borrowers with bad credit. The company has a simple and streamlined application process and may be able to issue funding within hours of you signing your agreement. Expansion Capital Group also offers prepayment discounts if you’re able to repay your advance early.
Fees can become expensive the longer it takes your customers to pay.
Difficult to compare factoring costs to other types of business loans.
Charges an origination fee.
If you’re a business-to-business company with capital tied up in unpaid invoices, altLINE can provide fast access to cash. The lender offers competitive factoring rates and can factor large invoice amounts. AltLINE stands out for its flexible underwriting process that focuses heavily on the creditworthiness of your customers, as opposed to more traditional business loan requirements. This makes it a worthwhile option for startups or borrowers with bad credit.
All credit scores may be accepted (ranging from 300 to 850).
Fees can become expensive the longer it takes your customers to pay.
Difficult to compare factoring costs to other types of business loans.
Charges an origination fee.
If you’re a business-to-business company with capital tied up in unpaid invoices, altLINE can provide fast access to cash. The lender offers competitive factoring rates and can factor large invoice amounts. AltLINE stands out for its flexible underwriting process that focuses heavily on the creditworthiness of your customers, as opposed to more traditional business loan requirements. This makes it a worthwhile option for startups or borrowers with bad credit.
All credit scores may be accepted (ranging from 300 to 850).
ELease can be a good option for businesses that don’t qualify for more traditional forms of equipment financing. It has flexible qualification requirements and can work with startups and borrowers with bad credit. The company offers competitive interest rates and repayment terms. Unlike other specialized equipment lenders, however, eLease requires you to apply over the phone.
ELease can be a good option for businesses that don’t qualify for more traditional forms of equipment financing. It has flexible qualification requirements and can work with startups and borrowers with bad credit. The company offers competitive interest rates and repayment terms. Unlike other specialized equipment lenders, however, eLease requires you to apply over the phone.
Cash can be available within the same business day (does not apply in California or Vermont).
Accepts borrowers with a minimum credit score of 625.
Streamlined application process with minimal documentation required.
Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
Cannot fund North Dakota-based businesses.
Requires frequent (daily or weekly) repayments.
Interest rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.
Charges origination fee.
OnDeck’s short-term loan is a good option for making one-time investments in your business, such as opening a new location or renovating your space. This loan offers fast funding (sometimes as quickly as the same day) for borrowers who may not qualify for more traditional financing options. OnDeck’s short-term loan can also be used to establish and build business credit — as the lender reports your payment history to the three commercial credit bureaus.
Cash can be available within the same business day (does not apply in California or Vermont).
Accepts borrowers with a minimum credit score of 625.
Streamlined application process with minimal documentation required.
Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
Cannot fund North Dakota-based businesses.
Requires frequent (daily or weekly) repayments.
Interest rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.
Charges origination fee.
OnDeck’s short-term loan is a good option for making one-time investments in your business, such as opening a new location or renovating your space. This loan offers fast funding (sometimes as quickly as the same day) for borrowers who may not qualify for more traditional financing options. OnDeck’s short-term loan can also be used to establish and build business credit — as the lender reports your payment history to the three commercial credit bureaus.
Funds available by next business day after approval.
Cons
Most borrowers are subject to a 2% draw fee.
Not available in all U.S. states.
Headway Capital offers a fast and flexible business line of credit that’s a good option for those who can’t qualify for traditional financing. The lender can work with startups and businesses with low revenue. Headway can fund applications as fast as the next day after approval. Unlike some online lines of credit, however, you’ll likely have to pay a draw fee to access your funds from Headway.
Funds available by next business day after approval.
Cons
Most borrowers are subject to a 2% draw fee.
Not available in all U.S. states.
Headway Capital offers a fast and flexible business line of credit that’s a good option for those who can’t qualify for traditional financing. The lender can work with startups and businesses with low revenue. Headway can fund applications as fast as the next day after approval. Unlike some online lines of credit, however, you’ll likely have to pay a draw fee to access your funds from Headway.
Minimum credit score: 625.
Minimum time in business: Six months.
Minimum annual revenue: $50,000.
Accion Opportunity Fund Small Business Working Capital Loan
Slower processing speed compared with online lenders.
Charges an origination fee.
Not available in all U.S. states.
Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) stands out as an affordable option for business owners who can’t qualify for traditional financing. AOF offers competitive interest rates, long repayment terms and flexible qualification requirements. Startups and borrowers with bad credit may qualify. This lender also targets its funding efforts toward minority-, women- and low-to-moderate-income entrepreneurs.
Minimum credit score: 600.
Minimum time in business: 12 months.
Minimum annual revenue: $50,000.
Accion Opportunity Fund Small Business Working Capital Loan
Slower processing speed compared with online lenders.
Charges an origination fee.
Not available in all U.S. states.
Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) stands out as an affordable option for business owners who can’t qualify for traditional financing. AOF offers competitive interest rates, long repayment terms and flexible qualification requirements. Startups and borrowers with bad credit may qualify. This lender also targets its funding efforts toward minority-, women- and low-to-moderate-income entrepreneurs.
Borrowers with low credit scores may have some options here.
Multiple term lengths for different financing needs.
Cons
Loans max out at $1 million.
May require a lien.
Longest loan term is 60 months.
Rapid Finance’s online term loan is a good option for established businesses with lower credit scores. You can get large amounts of funding, with flexible repayment options and longer terms than some competitors offer. Rapid can approve applications within the same day and issue funds in as little as one business day.
Borrowers with low credit scores may have some options here.
Multiple term lengths for different financing needs.
Cons
Loans max out at $1 million.
May require a lien.
Longest loan term is 60 months.
Rapid Finance’s online term loan is a good option for established businesses with lower credit scores. You can get large amounts of funding, with flexible repayment options and longer terms than some competitors offer. Rapid can approve applications within the same day and issue funds in as little as one business day.
Valid proof of identity
Business bank account
Last three months of business bank statements
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A closer look at the top bad credit lenders
Giggle Finance
Best for no credit check
At a glance:
✅: Advances up to $10000 ($20,000 for repeat customers).
✅: Funding in as little as a few hours.
✅: Requires 3+ months in business and doesn’t check your credit score.
🔍 Why we like it:
Giggle Finance can provide capital up to $10000 in just minutes. The advance is repaid using automatic debits from your bank account. Giggle is marketed toward freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals, but can be used by any small-business owner with at least 3 months in operation.
📋 Key details:
Loan type: Merchant cash advance.
Repayment term : Payments are based on your business’s revenue. You’ll make weekly payments until you repay the full advance amount.
Speed: As fast as the same day.
➡️ Good fit for: Startups, businesses with bad credit that can’t qualify for other options.
SBA microloans are issued by participating intermediaries, such as nonprofit organizations or community lenders, who tend to have more flexibility with their eligibility criteria. Many SBA microlenders offer loans to traditionally underserved borrowers, including those with bad or limited credit.
📋 Key details:
Loan type: Term loan.
Interest rate range: 8% to 13%.
Repayment term: Up to 84 months.
Speed: As fast as one week.
➡️ Good fit for: Traditionally underserved business owners; business owners who can wait for funding in order to get the lowest interest rates.
✅: Requires a 570+ credit score and 6+ months in business.
🔍 Why we like it:
Fora Financial is an online lender that has flexible qualification requirements, making it a good option for startups and borrowers with bad credit. Fora also doesn’t require physical collateral, which can be helpful if your business doesn’t have significant assets to offer as security.
📋 Key details:
Loan type: Term loan.
Repayment term: Up to 18 months.
Speed: As fast as 24 hours.
➡️ Good fit for: Startups, businesses that need fast access to funds.
✅: Requires a 500+ credit score and 6+ months in business.
🔍 Why we like it:
Expansion Capital Group (ECG) offers fast access to working capital. ECG’s merchant cash advance can be a good option for businesses that have strong incoming revenue from debit and credit card sales. Like most MCA providers, however, ECG charges interest as a factor rate, which can be expensive. You’ll want to translate your costs into an APR and compare multiple options to ensure this product is a fit for your business.
📋 Key details:
Loan type: Merchant cash advance.
Repayment term: Payments are based on your business’s revenue. You’ll make daily or weekly payments until you repay the full advance amount.
Speed: As fast as a few hours after approval.
➡️ Good fit for: Businesses with strong revenue from credit card sales that can’t qualify for other funding options.
✅: No minimum credit score or time in business requirements.
🔍 Why we like it:
Like other factoring companies, AltLINE underwrites your application largely based on the creditworthiness of your customers, the age of your receivables and the value of your invoices — as opposed to more traditional requirements. In fact, AltLINE does not set minimum requirements for your personal credit score, time in business or annual revenue. The lender may, however, still consider these factors as part of your application.
📋 Key details:
Loan type: Invoice factoring.
Speed: As fast as 24 hours after submitting invoices.
➡️ Good fit for: Business-to-business companies with slow-paying customers.
✅: Requires a 550+ credit score and accepts startups.
🔍 Why we like it:
ELease can help you finance a variety of essential business equipment or machinery. Because the equipment you purchase serves as collateral on the loan, the lender can work with startups and borrowers who have lower credit scores.
📋 Key details:
Loan type: Equipment loan.
Interest rate range: 7.5% to 22%.
Repayment term: Up to 72 months.
➡️ Good fit for: Businesses that need to purchase equipment or machinery.
✅: Requires a 625+ credit score and 12+ months in business.
🔍 Why we like it:
OnDeck’s short-term business loan can be a good choice for specific, one-time investments in your business. Although OnDeck requires daily or weekly repayment, payments are fixed and don’t change over the course of your loan.
📋 Key details:
Loan type: Term loan.
Interest rate range: 31.3% to 99.9% (based on loans originated in the half-year ending March 31, 2024; minimums provided are rates that at least 5% of customers received).
Repayment term: Up to 24 months.
Speed: As fast as the same day.
➡️ Good fit for: Fast access to capital to be used for a specific purpose.
✅: Requires a 625+ credit score and 6+ months in business.
🔍 Why we like it:
Headway Capital offers a business line of credit that’s a good choice for those who can’t qualify for traditional financing. The lender has a simple application process and flexible qualification requirements. Headway also offers three repayment term options — more than other similar competitors.
📋 Key details:
Loan type: Line of credit.
Interest rate range: 35% to 80%.
Repayment term: 12, 18 or 24 months.
Speed: As fast as the next business day.
➡️ Good fit for: Startups or low-revenue businesses that want a fast, flexible line of credit.
✅: Requires a 600+ credit score and 12+ months in business.
🔍 Why we like it:
Accion issues business loans with repayment terms of up to 60 months, longer than many other bad credit business loans. The lender has flexible qualification requirements, but also offers competitive interest rates.
📋 Key details:
Loan type: Term loan.
Interest rate range: 8.49% to 24.99%.
Repayment term: Up to 60 months.
Speed: As fast as seven days.
➡️ Good fit for: Low-income and traditionally underserved entrepreneurs, such as women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses.
✅: Funding in as little as one to two business days.
✅: Requires a 650+ credit score and 36+ months in business.
🔍 Why we like it:
Rapid Finance is an online business lender that offers unsecured term loans, meaning you don’t have to provide physical collateral upfront. Rapid offers larger loan amounts than some other alternative lenders — up to $1 million.
📋 Key details:
Loan type: Term loan.
Repayment term: Up to 60 months.
Speed: As fast as one business day after approval.
➡️ Good fit for: Established businesses with strong revenue.
A bad credit business loan is a loan that’s targeted toward business owners with a personal credit score below 630. These loans allow entrepreneurs to access capital despite credit challenges, but they typically have higher interest rates, shorter repayment terms and lower loan amounts.
What is a bad credit score?
Individual small-business lenders may have varying guidelines for what's considered a bad credit score, based on which scoring model they use. A bad credit score is a score between 300 and 629 (on a scale of 300-800), according to NerdWallet's general guidelines. NerdWallet considers scores of 630 to 680 to be fair credit.
How to get a business loan with bad credit
Here are steps you can follow to get a business loan if you have bad credit.
1. Calculate how much debt you can afford
First, determine how much debt you can reasonably afford. Lower credit scores may result in higher interest rates, which can make it difficult to repay a new loan — and leave you worse off financially than you were when you started.
To figure out how much debt you can afford, you should consider how much funding you need, possible interest rates, additional fees, as well as the repayment schedule (daily, weekly or monthly). You can use NerdWallet's business loan calculator to help estimate these costs.
Your repayment schedule and term length will dictate the size of your payments, but also how much interest you end up paying. A shorter term means larger payments, but less interest, whereas longer terms mean smaller payments, but more interest over the life of the loan.
2. Work to improve your credit score, if you can
Start by checking your score (you can check your personal credit score for free on NerdWallet), and pulling your credit report from the three major reporting bureaus for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Established companies should also check their business credit scores from Experian, Equifax and Dun & Bradstreet.
The higher your credit score, the easier it will be to get a loan, especially one with competitive rates and terms. If you're able to wait for financing, take the time to build your score.
Credit-building strategies include looking for errors on your credit reports and disputing them with the appropriate credit bureau, making debt repayments more frequently and being added as an authorized user to a credit card belonging to someone you know and trust who has a good credit score.
3. Strengthen other areas of your application
Although business loan requirements vary, most lenders will use similar criteria when evaluating your application. If you have a lower credit score, these other requirements will be even more important to help you access financing.
Most lenders will consider the following:
How long you’ve been in business.
What your annual revenue is.
How strong your cash flow is.
What kind of collateral you can provide.
Prepare to bolster your business profile in any way possible to help increase your chances of approval.
For example, if you have significant collateral available, consider offering more than the minimum — ooffer physical collateral even if the lender doesn’t require it. Your business’s strengths may make your application more attractive to lenders, even if your credit score is lagging.
You might also consider finding a cosigner to help you secure a loan. If you default on the loan, the cosigner assumes responsibility for repayment. The cosigner should have a higher credit score and ideally strong personal assets to improve your chances of approval.
You may be able to find bad credit business loans from online or nonprofit lenders. As you explore different options, you should compare them based on:
Type of lender
The type of lender you work with may have an effect on building your credit and maximizing your business’s potential for growth. Online lenders can usually streamline your application and offer fast financing, while a CDFI or nonprofit lender may provide hands-on support and offer additional coaching.
Cost of borrowing
APRs on bad credit business loans can vary widely — ranging anywhere between 5% and 99%. You should consider the total cost of borrowing, including the interest rate and any fees — origination fees, closing fees or prepayment penalties — associated with the loan. If your lender provides a factor rate, you can calculate your APR by adding the fees to your total loan amount, or multiplying the factor rate by the total loan amount.
Collateral and personal guarantee
Some lenders don’t require physical collateral to secure a loan, but they will place a blanket lien on your assets and ask for a personal guarantee. Lenders may not always be upfront about these two items, so it’s a good idea to ask about them in your research.
Some types of loans and lenders fund much faster than others. Online lenders typically offer ultra-streamlined processes and fast deposits. Other lenders may take a few days to collect and process an application and take longer to fund. No matter which type of lender you choose, if you are on a timeline, it’s prudent to let them know as soon as possible.
5. Gather your documentation and apply
To complete your loan application, you may need to provide some, if not all, of the following:
There are several types of business loans available for bad credit. These loans may have low credit score requirements or include collateral, which can make it easier for bad credit borrowers to qualify.
Short-term business loans
A short-term business loan is a lump sum of capital you borrow from a lender and repay, over a set period of time, with interest. These loans typically have repayment terms ranging from three to 12 months, but may extend as long as 24 months.
Best for: Short-term expenses, specific projects or purchases.
Business lines of credit
Business lines of credit give you access to a set amount of funds, which you can draw from as needed. You only pay interest on the funds you draw, and once you repay what you’ve borrowed, you can continue to draw on the line.
Best for: Working capital needs, managing cash flow gaps or seasonal slows and emergency funding.
Equipment financing
Equipment financing is designed specifically for purchasing equipment or machinery for your business. This is a form of asset-based financing where the equipment you purchase serves as collateral on the loan. Because of this security, you may not need to rely as heavily on traditional eligibility criteria to qualify for equipment financing.
Best for: Buying equipment and machinery.
Invoice factoring
Invoice factoring involves selling your outstanding invoices to a factoring company at a discount in exchange for an advance of cash. The factoring company then collects repayment from your customers, and once it receives that payment, it sends you the difference, minus the agreed-upon fees. Invoice factoring companies often have flexible qualification requirements because your invoices provide security on the funding.
Best for: Business-to-business companies with slow-paying customers.
Microloans
Microloans are small-dollar loans, typically available in amounts up to $50,000. These loans are generally issued by nonprofit and community organizations who offer flexible qualification requirements. Many microlenders focus their lending efforts specifically on traditionally underserved borrowers, such as those with bad or no credit.
Best for: Startups, borrowers with poor or no credit, women, minority groups, veterans and entrepreneurs located in low-income communities.
Merchant cash advances
With a merchant cash advance, you receive an upfront sum of capital that you repay using a percentage of your debit and credit card sales, plus a fee. Because MCAs are repaid automatically, merchant cash advance companies tend to focus on sales and cash flow (as opposed to credit history) when evaluating applications. These products can have high annual percentage rates, however, so you’ll want to consider all other options before turning to a merchant cash advance.
Best for: Businesses with high volume credit card sales that can’t qualify for other options.
Pros and cons of bad credit business loans
Pros
Can help your business access capital you may otherwise not get to boost operations, grow your business or cover gaps in cash flow.
Offer fast access to capital — some within as little as 12 hours of applying.
Can help build and improve your business credit (if your lender reports on-time payments), which can help you qualify for more business funding in the future.
Cons
Typically have higher rates and fees than traditional loans.
Borrowing limits are usually lower.
May require collateral to offset lender risk.
Where to get business loans with bad credit
Banks and credit unions likely won’t approve you if you have bad credit. But these alternative sources may let you get a business loan with a less-than-ideal credit history.
Startups, local businesses, additional education and support.
No specific minimum.
As fast as one week.
Smaller loan amounts, limited availability by location.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score is required for a business loan?
Most lenders require a minimum personal credit score ranging from 500 to 660, but some have no minimum requirement. Your annual revenue and time in business may also be considered on your application. You should always shop around and compare your small-business loan options to get one that fits your needs.
Can you get a startup business loan with bad credit?
Yes, online lenders, CDFIs and microlenders may offer startup business loans to borrowers with bad credit. However, your options will be limited, and they can be expensive. To qualify, you’ll generally need at least six months in business and a minimum credit score of 500 or higher.
Can I get a business loan with a 500 credit score?
It is possible to get a business loan with a 500 credit score from certain lenders like AltLINE or Expansion Capital Group. Be aware that these loans may have collateral requirements, minimum revenue requirements or high fees.
Last updated on August 6, 2025
Methodology
NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates small-business loan products from traditional banks and online lenders. We collect over 30 data points on each lender using company websites and public documents. We may also go through a lender’s initial application flow and reach out to company representatives. NerdWallet writers and editors conduct a full fact check and update annually, but also make updates throughout the year as necessary.
To come up with our list of the best bad credit business loans, we selected lenders with a minimum credit score requirement of 629 or lower.
Our star ratings award points to lenders that offer small-business friendly features, including:
- Transparency of rates and terms.
- Flexible payment options.
- Fast funding times.
- Accessible customer service.
- Reporting of payments to business credit bureaus.
- Responsible lending practices.
We weigh these factors based on our assessment of which are the most important to small-business owners and how meaningfully they impact borrowers’ experiences.