Emergency Business Loans: How to Get Urgent Funding
The best emergency business loans give you fast access to funding with reasonable qualification requirements, quick applications and affordable rates.
| Lender | NerdWallet rating | Best For | Max loan amount | Min. time in business | Min. interest rate | Term length | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for bad credit | $1,500,000 | 6 months | Undisclosed | 4 to 18 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for B2B businesses | $5,000,000 | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | 1 to 3 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for same-day funding | $250,000 | 12 months | 14% | Up to 6 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 | Read expert review | Best for low interest rates | $2,000,000 | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Up to 30 years | |
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for short-term business loans | $250,000 | 12 months | 31.3% | 18 to 24 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
 with Fundera by NerdWallet | Read expert review | Best for merchant cash advances | $500,000 | 3 years | Undisclosed | 3 to 18 months | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
emergency business loans: More details
Fora Financial: Best for bad credit
Funding speed: 24 to 48 hours.
Fora Financial - Online term loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$1,500,000
Min. credit score
570
Term length
4 to 18 months
Pros
- Cash can be available quickly.
- Get a discount for prepaying.
- No collateral required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
Cons
- 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.
Pros
- Cash can be available quickly.
- Get a discount for prepaying.
- No collateral required.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
Cons
- 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.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
AltLINE: Best for B2B businesses
Funding speed: Typically within 48 hours — no collateral required.
AltLINE - Invoice factoring
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
300
Term length
1 to 3 months
Pros
- Capital available within 24 to 48 hours.
- No collateral required.
- Manages payment collection from your customers.
- Accepts startups and businesses with bad credit.
Cons
- 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.
Pros
- Capital available within 24 to 48 hours.
- No collateral required.
- Manages payment collection from your customers.
- Accepts startups and businesses with bad credit.
Cons
- 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.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Bluevine: Best for same-day funding
Funding speed: As fast as the same day, with a wire transfer.
May fund quickly
Bluevine - Line of credit
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Term length
Up to 6 months
Pros
- Cash can be available within 12 to 24 hours.
- Can be used to build business credit.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
Cons
- Requires weekly payments.
- Not available in North Dakota, South Dakota or Nevada.
- Rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.
Pros
- Cash can be available within 12 to 24 hours.
- Can be used to build business credit.
- Low minimum credit score requirement.
Cons
- Requires weekly payments.
- Not available in North Dakota, South Dakota or Nevada.
- Rates can be high compared with traditional lenders.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
U.S. Small Business Administration: Best for low interest rates
Funding speed: Can take several weeks.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Max loan amount
$2,000,000
Min. credit score
Undisclosed
Term length
Up to 30 years
Pros
- Large loan amounts and long repayment terms.
- Interest rates max out at 4%.
- No prepayment penalties.
Cons
- Collateral required for loans over $25,000.
- Only available for businesses located in a declared disaster area.
- Can be slow to fund.
Pros
- Large loan amounts and long repayment terms.
- Interest rates max out at 4%.
- No prepayment penalties.
Cons
- Collateral required for loans over $25,000.
- Only available for businesses located in a declared disaster area.
- Can be slow to fund.
OnDeck: Best for short-term business loans
Funding speed: As soon as the same day.
May fund quickly
OnDeck - Online term loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
625
Term length
18 to 24 months
Pros
- 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.
Pros
- 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.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Rapid Finance: Best for merchant cash advances
Funding speed: As fast as 24 hours.
Rapid Finance - Merchant cash advance
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
600
Term length
3 to 18 months
Pros
- No prepayment penalties or other fees.
- Can be approved with a credit score as low as 600.
Cons
- Daily or weekly payments.
- Lengthy time in business requirement.
Pros
- No prepayment penalties or other fees.
- Can be approved with a credit score as low as 600.
Cons
- Daily or weekly payments.
- Lengthy time in business requirement.
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Concerned about tariffs?
Many small-business owners are under increased economic stress and uncertainty following the latest tariff announcements. NerdWallet is here to help you find answers for whatever you're looking for. Here are some resources to help you get started:
- Need emergency funding? Consider a
business line of credit - Looking for fast access to working capital? Discover the
best working capital loans - Want tips on how to mitigate the impact of tariffs? Read
our guide
What is an emergency business loan?
An emergency business loan is a short-term loan used to address unexpected expenses or gaps in cash flow that arise from emergencies or disasters. Online lenders typically offer the fastest business loans
Use cases for an emergency business loan
Types of emergency business loans
Here are some of the most common types of emergency small-business loans:
SBA disaster loans
The federal government offers emergency business loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA disaster loan program
- Home and personal property loans . Replace or repair your home or personal property after a disaster.
- Business physical disaster loans. Replace or repair business property, such as machinery, equipment, fixtures or inventory, after a disaster.
- Economic injury disaster loans. Help businesses meet financial obligations and operating expenses that they could typically meet if not for a disaster.
- Military reservist injury loans. Help businesses meet operating expenses because an essential employee was called to active duty.
With the exception of the military reservist injury loan, you can only apply for an SBA disaster loan if your business is located in a declared disaster zone
If you can qualify, these government emergency business loans offer low interest rates and long repayment terms. You can apply online through the SBA website, but keep in mind that the process may take several weeks
Business term loans
A business term loan
Business term loans are available from both traditional lenders (banks and credit unions) and online lenders. If you need an emergency business loan, however, online lenders
Business lines of credit
A business line of credit
Like term loans, business lines of credit are available from both traditional and online lenders. Banks will typically have the lowest interest rates on credit lines, but online lenders can offer fast funding and flexible eligibility criteria.
Business lines of credit may have lower maximum funding amounts than term loans — but often have revolving terms. This means you can continue to draw on the line as long as you make your payments on time and don’t exceed your credit limit.
Invoice factoring
Invoice factoring can help business owners who need emergency funding by giving them access to capital tied up in unpaid invoices.
With invoice factoring
Invoice factoring is generally available from online lenders or fintech companies. Because factoring companies
Merchant cash advances
With a merchant cash advance
Merchant cash advances are typically fast to fund — sometimes as quickly as 24 hours — and easy to qualify for. Many MCA providers
❗ MCAs are also one of the most expensive types of business financing. These products can have annual percentage rates that reach as high as 350% — making it difficult for business owners to repay what they’ve borrowed.
Generally, you should consider all other loan options before a merchant cash advance — even if your business is dealing with an emergency.
How to get an emergency business loan
1. Evaluate your financing needs.
Start by thinking about how much financing you need, how much debt you can afford and consider what type of business loan
It may also be helpful to draft a plan that details exactly how you plan to use your capital — that way, you know how these funds will help address your immediate needs and how your business can grow in the future.
2. Check your qualifications.
The best type of emergency business loan for your business will also depend on what you can qualify for. Specific business loan requirements
You might also think about your cash flow and available collateral. If you’re considering an SBA disaster loan, you should confirm that your business falls into a declared disaster area — and check that you meet any additional SBA loan qualifications
3. Research and compare lenders.
As you research lenders, consider factors such as interest rates, repayment terms, loan amounts, funding speed, application process and lender reputation.
It can be helpful to read reviews of lenders online or talk to former customers to verify a lender’s reputation. Keep in mind that fast funding can often result in higher interest rates. You’ll want to make sure that you can afford any debt that you take on.
4. Complete and submit your application.
The application process varies based on the lender, but if you opt for an online lender, the process should be fairly straightforward. Along with a simple application, you’ll typically provide basic documentation, such as business and personal bank statements and tax returns, as well as business financial statements. The lender will likely require you to sign a personal guarantee
How to compare emergency business loans
Consider these factors to determine which emergency loan is right for your business’s needs:
💼 Loan type. The right type of loan will depend on the kind of emergency your business has experienced and why you need funding. If, for example, you need to cover daily expenses during a slow period, you might opt for a working capital line of credit equipment financing
📈 Interest rates. Business loan rates
⏱️ Funding speed. When your business experiences a disaster, you usually need capital quickly. Some online lenders can offer same-day business loans
🗓️ Repayment terms. Emergency business loans often have short repayment terms. You’ll want to make sure that you can manage potential payments (especially if they’re daily or weekly) based on your existing budget.
🤝 Lender reputation. Reading online reviews can give you a better sense of a lender’s reputation and what it’s like to work for them. Be wary of predatory lenders that may try to take advantage of you when you’re in need of quick funding. These lenders may promise “guaranteed approval” or similar terms that seem too good to be true.
Pros and cons of emergency business loans
Pros
- Can typically be approved and funded quickly, depending on the nature of the situation.
- Federally backed funding (available in declared disaster areas) offers competitive rates and terms.
Cons
- Can have high interest rates and short repayment terms, which can make it difficult for businesses to keep up with payments.
- Exploitative or predatory lenders may try to take advantage of businesses seeking emergency funding.
Emergency business loan alternatives
An emergency business loan may not be the right choice if your need for capital isn’t immediate — especially if you can qualify for more competitive rates and terms by waiting.
There may also be instances where taking on debt will actually harm your financial situation instead of helping, even through a disaster. In those cases, consider these alternative financing options:
- Business credit cards. If you’re looking for a quick and revolving source of financing to cover cash flow gaps, business credit cards can be a good option. Many business credit cards require good credit — a score of 690 or higher — to qualify. They can provide benefits like flexibility and spending rewards, but business credit cards can also become expensive if you’re not diligent about making payments.
- Personal loans. It is possible to take out a
personal loan instead of a business loan - Self-funding. If you have a business
emergency fund
Frequently asked questions
Do banks offer emergency business loans?
Can I get an emergency business loan with bad credit?
Karrin Sehmbi, a NerdWallet content management specialist, contributed to this article.
Last updated on July 1, 2025
How Fundera by NerdWallet works
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cost, speed, repayment schedule — can play a role in deciding which
product is right for you. Let us help you through the process.
Get started
Fill out one simple application
Answer a 3-minute questionnaire about your business to get personalized lending options. It’s free and won’t impact your credit score.
See your business loan options
Compare interest rates and repayment terms to choose the best product for your needs.
Get your loan
If the lender approves you, you’ll sign closing documents in order to receive funds. Some lenders can approve and fund loans within one business day.
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.
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.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodology for small-business loans editorial guidelines
