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.
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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 .
Large business loans provide funding of $500,000 or more. These small-business loans can be used for major investments in your company, including equipment purchases, real estate purchases and business acquisitions.
Although eligibility criteria vary, many large business loans require you to meet strict qualifications, such as good credit and multiple years in operation. You may also need to provide collateral to secure financing.
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.
How much do you need?
We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.
Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.
SBA 7(a) loan
Best for established businesses that can’t qualify for bank financing
SBA 7(a) loans stand out as an affordable option for businesses that can’t qualify for bank financing, but still have good credit and finances. 7(a) loans offer low interest rates, long repayment terms and large funding amounts. These loans can also be used for a variety of purposes, including working capital, business expansions or purchasing equipment and supplies.
For-profit U.S. business.
Unable to access credit on reasonable terms from nongovernment sources.
Financial qualifications determined by individual lender.
SBA 7(a) loan
Best for established businesses that can’t qualify for bank financing
SBA 7(a) loans stand out as an affordable option for businesses that can’t qualify for bank financing, but still have good credit and finances. 7(a) loans offer low interest rates, long repayment terms and large funding amounts. These loans can also be used for a variety of purposes, including working capital, business expansions or purchasing equipment and supplies.
For-profit U.S. business.
Unable to access credit on reasonable terms from nongovernment sources.
Financial qualifications determined by individual lender.
Offers loans to startups and borrowers with bad credit.
No collateral or down payment required.
Cons
Charges a factor rate that makes it more difficult to compare costs with other lenders.
Short-term loans require daily or weekly repayment.
Requires higher annual revenue than other online lenders.
Misleading website marketing: National Funding offers only short-term loans and equipment financing/leasing.
Charges an origination fee.
Borrowers who can't qualify for more traditional loan options might consider National Funding for fast access to capital. National Funding has flexible qualification requirements and can fund applications in as little as 24 hours. The lender also offers prepayment discounts for those who can repay their loans early.
Offers loans to startups and borrowers with bad credit.
No collateral or down payment required.
Cons
Charges a factor rate that makes it more difficult to compare costs with other lenders.
Short-term loans require daily or weekly repayment.
Requires higher annual revenue than other online lenders.
Misleading website marketing: National Funding offers only short-term loans and equipment financing/leasing.
Charges an origination fee.
Borrowers who can't qualify for more traditional loan options might consider National Funding for fast access to capital. National Funding has flexible qualification requirements and can fund applications in as little as 24 hours. The lender also offers prepayment discounts for those who can repay their loans early.
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.
iBusiness Funding also offers SBA loans up to $5 million.
Cons
Charges an origination fee.
Must be in business for a minimum of 24 months.
Minimum credit score is higher than some other lenders.
iBusiness Funding is a good option for qualified business owners who don’t want to wait for bank financing. The lender offers competitive interest rates and long repayment terms, but can fund much more quickly than traditional lenders. And with a large maximum funding amount, this loan can be used for a variety of long-term expansion projects, as well as refinancing existing debt.
iBusiness Funding also offers SBA loans up to $5 million.
Cons
Charges an origination fee.
Must be in business for a minimum of 24 months.
Minimum credit score is higher than some other lenders.
iBusiness Funding is a good option for qualified business owners who don’t want to wait for bank financing. The lender offers competitive interest rates and long repayment terms, but can fund much more quickly than traditional lenders. And with a large maximum funding amount, this loan can be used for a variety of long-term expansion projects, as well as refinancing existing debt.
Higher credit score requirement than some online lenders.
Repayment terms max out at 24 months.
Charges an origination fee.
Altbanq offers short-term loans in large amounts — up to $10 million. These loans can be a good option for businesses with at least 12 months in operation that have strong credit. If you can repay early, you may be able to access prepayment discounts. Keep in mind, though, that repayment terms only go up to 24 months.
Higher credit score requirement than some online lenders.
Repayment terms max out at 24 months.
Charges an origination fee.
Altbanq offers short-term loans in large amounts — up to $10 million. These loans can be a good option for businesses with at least 12 months in operation that have strong credit. If you can repay early, you may be able to access prepayment discounts. Keep in mind, though, that repayment terms only go up to 24 months.
Rates can be high compared with traditional banks.
May have to pay an origination fee.
Fundomate provides access to short-term funding in as little as 24 hours. It can be a good option for businesses that have significant debt and credit card sales — as the product functions like a merchant cash advance. Unlike some MCAs, however, Fundomate gives you a few different options for how you can structure repayments.
Rates can be high compared with traditional banks.
May have to pay an origination fee.
Fundomate provides access to short-term funding in as little as 24 hours. It can be a good option for businesses that have significant debt and credit card sales — as the product functions like a merchant cash advance. Unlike some MCAs, however, Fundomate gives you a few different options for how you can structure repayments.
Flexible payment options available, including deferment options for certain industries.
No down payment required.
Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
Must have good credit to qualify for no prepayment penalties.
Charges an origination fee.
JR Capital stands out as a specialized equipment financing lender that can fund equipment in a variety of industries. The lender offers competitive rates and repayment terms, as well as flexible payment options. JR Capital also has higher funding maximum than other online competitors and doesn’t require a down payment.
Minimum credit score: 620.
Minimum time in business: Typically 24 months, but can prioritize industry experience in some cases.
Flexible payment options available, including deferment options for certain industries.
No down payment required.
Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
Must have good credit to qualify for no prepayment penalties.
Charges an origination fee.
JR Capital stands out as a specialized equipment financing lender that can fund equipment in a variety of industries. The lender offers competitive rates and repayment terms, as well as flexible payment options. JR Capital also has higher funding maximum than other online competitors and doesn’t require a down payment.
Minimum credit score: 620.
Minimum time in business: Typically 24 months, but can prioritize industry experience in some cases.
Must meet job creation or public policy goals to qualify.
Longer processing times than online lenders.
SBA 504 loans are an affordable option for funding equipment and real estate purchases. These SBA loans offer low interest rates, long repayment terms and large funding amounts. 504 loans also have a fairly low down payment requirement compared to other equipment or real estate loans. To qualify, however, you’ll likely need to be an established business with good credit.
Be a for-profit U.S. business.
Net worth of less than $15 million.
Average net income of less than $5 million for the two years prior to your application.
Financial qualifications determined by individual lender.
Must meet job creation or public policy goals to qualify.
Longer processing times than online lenders.
SBA 504 loans are an affordable option for funding equipment and real estate purchases. These SBA loans offer low interest rates, long repayment terms and large funding amounts. 504 loans also have a fairly low down payment requirement compared to other equipment or real estate loans. To qualify, however, you’ll likely need to be an established business with good credit.
Be a for-profit U.S. business.
Net worth of less than $15 million.
Average net income of less than $5 million for the two years prior to your application.
Financial qualifications determined by individual lender.
Must have a Chase Business Banking account to apply online.
Not available in Alaska and Hawaii.
Annual fee may apply.
Limited information on terms and fees available online.
If you’re looking for a line of credit from a big bank, Chase offers a revolving credit line with repayment terms of five years. The lender offers large credit line amounts with variable rates based on the prime rate. To qualify, you’ll need to be an established business and may need to provide collateral. Unlike some bank options, you’ll likely need to visit a branch location to apply.
Minimum credit score: 700.
Minimum time in business: Two years with some flexibility.
Must have a Chase Business Banking account to apply online.
Not available in Alaska and Hawaii.
Annual fee may apply.
Limited information on terms and fees available online.
If you’re looking for a line of credit from a big bank, Chase offers a revolving credit line with repayment terms of five years. The lender offers large credit line amounts with variable rates based on the prime rate. To qualify, you’ll need to be an established business and may need to provide collateral. Unlike some bank options, you’ll likely need to visit a branch location to apply.
Minimum credit score: 700.
Minimum time in business: Two years with some flexibility.
Minimum annual revenue: Not disclosed
A closer look at the best business loans over $500,000
SBA 7(a)
Best for established businesses that can’t qualify for bank financing
When should you get a large SBA 7(a) loan?
If you can qualify for — and wait for — an SBA loan, the competitive interest rates and favorable terms are worth it, especially since you are borrowing in large amounts. However, because interest rates and terms for loans from traditional banks tend to be better, SBA loans are generally a next-best option. SBA loans can take longer to qualify for than many other business loans, so you’ll want to make sure your funding timeline works with whatever project you are financing.
Is collateral required?
For 7(a) loans over $350,000, the SBA requires lenders to secure the full loan amount using the assets that are being purchased or improved with the 7(a) loan, plus other business assets if necessary. The SBA also requires a personal guarantee from anyone who owns more than 20% of the business.
National Funding
Best for startups
When should you get a large business loan from National Funding?
If you can’t qualify for traditional funding because your business has been in operation for less than a year, but you have strong revenue, National Funding is worth considering. This lender will work with businesses that have been operating for only 6 months. You don’t need to have stellar credit, but you’ll want to make sure your cash flow can support daily or weekly payments.
Is collateral required?
No.
Fora Financial
Best for flexible requirements
When should you get a large business loan from Fora Financial?
Fora Financial may approve you for financing with a credit score as low as 570. You may also be able to get approved in as little as four hours, with funding as quickly as 24 hours later. It lends up to $1.5 million with no restrictions on the use of the funds.
Fora allows you to borrow more once you’ve paid off 60% of your loan, almost like a line of credit. That may help you finance a large project in waves if you can’t qualify for the full amount all at once. Fora also offers prepayment discounts, which is even more incentive for you to pay down the loan as fast as possible.
Is collateral required?
No.
iBusiness Funding
Best for long-term financing
When should you get a large business loan from iBusiness Funding?
iBusiness Funding, which acquired Funding Circle in 2024, can help you access loans with terms up to 60 months much faster than a bank or other SBA lender. An 60-month term is long compared with many other online lenders, and longer terms can help lower monthly payments to make your purchase more affordable.
Is collateral required?
No.
Altbanq
Best for fast financing
When should you get a large business loan from Altbanq?
Altbanq can be a good option for those who need capital quickly. The lender can fund applications as fast as the same day you apply. It can also be a good choice if you need a large amount of financing — and you’re confident you can repay it within a maximum of 24 months.
Is collateral required?
No.
Fundomate
Best for merchant cash advances
When should you get a large business loan from Fundomate?
If you need fast financing to seize a business opportunity or cover an unexpected expense, Fundomate may let you borrow up to $500,000 in as fast as one to three business days with minimal paperwork required. Fundomate also garners lots of positive feedback from customers who reviewed it on Trustpilot
When should you get a large business loan from JR Capital?
If you need a loan to purchase large, high-value equipment, you should look for equipment lenders or lenders who have experience with financing equipment. JR Capital can finance up to $10 million in equipment, and you don’t need to have stellar credit.
Is collateral required?
JR Capital uses the equipment being financed as collateral for the loan. Additional collateral is not required.
SBA 504 loan
Best for commercial real estate loans
When should you get a large SBA 504 loan?
Because it’s explicitly stated in the qualification requirements, you should look at SBA 504 loans when you are purchasing large fixed assets like existing buildings or land, or large equipment. You can also use 504 loans for new construction or to refinance business debt.
Is collateral required?
The SBA requires that the property or equipment being acquired with a 504 loan is used as collateral. Lenders may ask for additional collateral according to their own practices.
Chase Business Line of Credit
Best for covering cash flow needs
When should you get a large business line of credit from Chase?
In general, a business line of credit is good to cover gaps in cash flow that occur on a regular basis because the revolving line allows you to borrow and pay as many times as you need to, up to a certain limit. You should get a Chase Business Line of Credit specifically if you have good personal credit and have been in business for a couple of years.
Is collateral required?
Yes.
What is a large business loan?
A large business loan typically offers $500,000 or more in funding. These loans are available from traditional and online lenders, and are usually used to finance large investments in your business, such as a new commercial property or tools and systems needed to fuel business growth. These types of loans tend to have long repayment terms and competitive interest rates, but can be harder to qualify for than smaller sized loans.
Types of large business loans
Many different types of business loans can provide large amounts of capital. Here are some of the most common options:
SBA loans
SBA loans are partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and issued by participating lenders, like banks and credit unions.
The most popular type of SBA loan, the 7(a) loan, offers funding amounts up to $5 million. SBA 7(a) loans can be used for a variety of purposes, including purchasing equipment, acquiring or improving real estate, buying a business and debt refinancing.
SBA 504 loans, on the other hand, must be used for large fixed asset purchases or improvements. These loans typically have maximum funding amounts of $5 million — although specific projects and small manufacturers may qualify for up to $5.5 million.
SBA loans offer long repayment terms and competitive interest rates, but you’ll need multiple years in business, good credit and strong finances to qualify. In many cases, you’ll also need to secure a loan with physical collateral.
Business term loans
With a business term loan, you borrow a lump sum of money from a lender and repay it over a specific period, with interest. Business term loans are available from banks and online lenders. Some types of business term loans are more likely to offer large loan amounts, such as:
Commercial real estate loans
Commercial real estate loans provide capital specifically for the purchase or renovation of commercial properties, such as offices, storefronts and warehouses. The amount of funding you’re eligible to receive is based on the loan-to-value ratio (LTV). LTV is calculated by dividing the loan amount by the value of the commercial property you own or are looking to purchase.
Equipment loans
Similar to commercial real estate loans, equipment loans are used to purchase machinery or equipment for your business. Equipment financing may be available in amounts up to 100% of the value of the equipment you’re looking to purchase. The amount you receive, however, will vary based on your lender and qualifications.
Secured business loans
A secured business loan is backed by physical collateral, such as equipment or real estate. The collateral you provide helps reduce the lender’s risk of loaning you money, which enables you to qualify for larger loan amounts and more competitive repayment terms.
Invoice factoring
Invoice factoring, also referred to as accounts receivable factoring, allows you to sell your unpaid invoices to a factoring company at a discount in exchange for an advance of capital.
The factoring company typically advances a percentage of the invoice amount, potentially up to 90%. Then, the company assumes responsibility for collecting repayment on your invoices. Once the factoring company receives payment from your customers, it sends you the difference, minus the agreed-upon fees.
Because invoices serve as collateral for this type of financing, it can be easier to qualify for compared with other business loan options. Invoice factoring is a good option for business-to-business companies that have capital tied up in unpaid invoices.
Business lines of credit
A business line of credit provides access to flexible funding. You draw money from a set amount of funds and only pay interest on the money you borrow. After you’ve repaid these funds, you can continue to draw on the credit line.
Because business lines of credit are generally used for working capital and short-term expenses, maximum funding amounts are usually lower than what you might get from a business term loan. Some lenders, however, typically banks, offer lines of credit in amounts of $500,000 or more.
Certain lenders may also offer SBA lines of credit, which are available in amounts up to $5 million. Often, these products are designed for established companies with greater financing needs.
Pros and cons of large business loans
Pros
Provides funding for large business investments.
Typically have long repayment terms with monthly payment schedules.
May offer competitive interest rates.
Can be used to build business credit.
Cons
Can be harder to qualify for than smaller loans.
May need to be secured with physical collateral.
Monthly payments will be larger and you’ll likely pay more in interest over the lifecycle of the loan.
Large loans from banks and SBA lenders can be slow to fund, with lengthy application processes.
How to qualify for a large business loan
To qualify for a large business loan, you’ll often need:
Good credit. A credit score of 690 or higher will help you access the most competitive options.
Strong finances. It’s helpful to have annual revenue of $100,000 or more. Although not always required, lenders like to see profitability.
Multiple years in business. Many large business loans require you to have at least two years in operation.
Sufficient collateral. You may need to secure your loan with physical collateral, such as inventory, equipment or real estate.
Asset-based loan options — like invoice factoring or equipment financing — however, may have more flexible eligibility criteria. Because these products are inherently backed by collateral, they reduce the risk for the lender, and as a result, some lenders focus less heavily on traditional business loan requirements.
How to get a large business loan
Here are steps you can follow to get a large business loan.
1. Understand your financing needs
Determine exactly how much capital you need and why you need it. You'll also want to calculate how much debt you can afford. If you’re looking for a large amount of funding, you’ll likely have larger monthly payments. You want to make sure you have the necessary cash flow to manage payments before continuing your financing search.
2. Evaluate your qualifications
Lenders will typically use your personal credit score, annual revenue and time in business to underwrite your loan application. They may also consider how much collateral you can offer. You’ll usually need to meet strict criteria to qualify for a large business loan.
Although there are some large business loan options for startups and borrowers with bad credit, these may have higher interest rates and shorter terms, making them more difficult to repay.
By evaluating your business’s qualifications ahead of time, you’ll have a good sense of where you stand with different lenders, as well as ensure that getting a large business loan is the right decision for
3. Research and compare lenders
You’ll want to research and compare several different small-business lenders to find the best option for your needs. You should consider factors such as available loan types, maximum funding amount, interest rates, fees and repayment terms.
You’ll also want to think about the lender’s application process, speed, customer service and reputation.
🤓
Nerdy Tip
If you’re a mid-sized business with large financing needs, you might look for lenders that offer a commercial lending division. Commercial loans are often designed for larger, high-revenue businesses. Through PNC Bank’s commercial division, for example, established businesses can access loans from $10 million to $1 billion.
4. Complete and submit your application
The business loan application you need to complete will vary based on the lender and loan type. Because you’re asking for a large amount of funding, it’s likely that the lender will require more documentation in comparison with other business loans.
When applying for real estate financing, you’ll need to provide a valuation of the property you’re looking to purchase or upgrade. Similarly, equipment loans will likely require an equipment quote.
5. Review the loan agreement and get funds
It may take anywhere from a few days to several months to receive approval for a loan application. Banks and SBA lenders will have a slower underwriting and funding process compared with online lenders.
Once you receive approval, your lender will provide you with a business loan agreement to review and sign. You should read the document carefully and make sure you understand the terms and conditions, as well as the repayment process.
If you have questions or concerns, you’ll want to contact your lender for clarification before signing. After you’ve signed the agreement, your lender will transfer your funds.
Crowdfunding : Crowdfunding is a type of business financing that allows you to access capital without taking on debt. Crowdfunding takes place through online platforms on which you can pitch your business to potential backers, who give you cash in exchange for rewards or even ownership in your company.
Angel investors : Angel investors are wealthy individuals who choose to invest in businesses in exchange for ownership stakes. A form of equity financing, angel investing can help you fund your business while avoiding taking on debt. You should be aware of how much you’re willing to dilute your business ownership though.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest business loan you can get?
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans offer some of the largest loan amounts, typically up to $5 million. Banks may also issue large business loans up to $1 million, but these offerings vary based on the bank and type of loan product, among other factors.
Loans of more than $5 million may be available from commercial lenders who cater toward mid-sized and high-revenue businesses.
Is it easy to get a large business loan?
It can be hard to get a large business loan if you don’t have good credit, strong finances and multiple years in business. You may also need to provide collateral. Although eligibility criteria vary by lender and loan type, many lenders ask you to meet stricter requirements to access larger loan amounts.
How can you get a large business loan with no money?
It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get a large business loan without existing revenue. Large business loans typically have strict eligibility criteria, including monthly or annual revenue requirements. If you’re a new business that isn’t earning money yet, you’ll likely need to consider alternative options.
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 large business loans, we selected lenders that offer a maximum loan amount of $500,000 or more.
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.