Best Medical Practice Loans and How to Get One
Best Medical Practice Loans and How to Get One
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SBA 7(a) loan
Best for SBA loans for medical practices
Max loan amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
650
Est. APR
10.50-14.00%
Pros
- Large borrowing maximums.
- Interest rates are capped.
- Long repayment terms available.
Cons
- Collateral is typically required.
- Longer processing times than online lenders.
SBA 7(a) loan
Best for SBA loans for medical practices
Max loan amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
650
Est. APR
10.50-14.00%
Pros
- Large borrowing maximums.
- Interest rates are capped.
- Long repayment terms available.
Cons
- Collateral is typically required.
- Longer processing times than online lenders.
Bank of America - Health care practice loan
Best for Bank medical practice loans
Max loan amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
Undisclosed
Pros
- Can fund startup practices; interest-only and graduated payment structures available for startups.
- Fee discounts for veterans and endorsed medical group members.
- Dedicated project managers assigned to project-based loans.
Cons
- Loan terms, interest rates and qualification requirements not available online.
- Must call to learn more about financing options and how to apply.
- Cannot make loan payments online.
Bank of America - Health care practice loan
Best for Bank medical practice loans
Max loan amount
$5,000,000
Min. credit score
Undisclosed
Pros
- Can fund startup practices; interest-only and graduated payment structures available for startups.
- Fee discounts for veterans and endorsed medical group members.
- Dedicated project managers assigned to project-based loans.
Cons
- Loan terms, interest rates and qualification requirements not available online.
- Must call to learn more about financing options and how to apply.
- Cannot make loan payments online.
Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
660
Est. APR
15.22-45.00%
Pros
- Cash can be available within two business days.
- Competitive rates among online lenders.
- Terms up to seven years.
- 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 - Online term loan
Best for Fast funding
Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
660
Est. APR
15.22-45.00%
Pros
- Cash can be available within two business days.
- Competitive rates among online lenders.
- Terms up to seven years.
- 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.
Max loan amount
$1,500,000
Min. credit score
570
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.
Fora Financial - Online term loan
Best for Bad credit
Max loan amount
$1,500,000
Min. credit score
570
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.
Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
600
Pros
- Funding in as little as 24 hours.
- Prepayment discounts available.
- 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.
National Funding - Online term loan
Best for Startups
Max loan amount
$500,000
Min. credit score
600
Pros
- Funding in as little as 24 hours.
- Prepayment discounts available.
- 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.
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
580
Est. APR
6.50-34.99%
Pros
- Can fund within one to two business days.
- No prepayment penalty.
- Flexible repayment options: monthly, quarterly, annually or semiannually.
Cons
- Charges an origination fee.
Triton Capital - Equipment financing
Best for Equipment financing
Max loan amount
$250,000
Min. credit score
580
Est. APR
6.50-34.99%
Pros
- Can fund within one to two business days.
- No prepayment penalty.
- Flexible repayment options: monthly, quarterly, annually or semiannually.
Cons
- Charges an origination fee.
What are medical practice loans?
Medical practice loans refer to loans that health care professionals (e.g. doctors, dentists, optometrists, veterinarians) use to finance their businesses. These loans can be used to:
- Start a new practice.
- Merge with or acquire another practice.
- Expand, update or relocate a practice.
- Purchase medical equipment, vehicles and supplies.
- Cover operational costs.
- Pay for advertising and marketing initiatives.
- Refinance or consolidate existing debt.
Where to get medical practice loans
Medical practice loans are available from banks, SBA lenders and online lenders.
Banks
Medical business loans from a traditional bank will typically offer the lowest interest rates and most competitive repayment terms. To qualify, however, you’ll usually need to meet strict qualification requirements. Most banks want to see at least two years in business, good credit and strong finances.
Although you may be able to use a standard business bank loan to finance your medical practice, some banks, such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, TD Bank and U.S. Bank, offer specialized loan programs for health care professionals. These loans can be used for a variety of purposes, offer long repayment terms and large loan amounts.
These dedicated programs may also offer additional benefits, such as:
- Fee discounts if you belong to an association that endorses the lender.
- Support programs to assist with practice management.
- Dedicated project managers.
- Fee discounts for additional banking products.
- Loan prepayment waivers.
- Interest-only payment options.
Banks don’t often provide many details about these programs online. You’ll likely need to contact the bank directly or visit a branch location for more information about applying for a loan.
SBA lenders
Like bank loans, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans offer competitive interest rates and long repayment terms. These loans are partially guaranteed by the SBA and issued by participating lenders, typically banks and credit unions.
Both SBA 7(a) loans and 504 loans can help finance medical practices. SBA 7(a) loans can be used for a variety of purposes, including working capital needs, equipment or inventory purchases, as well as general expansion and renovations. SBA 504 loans, on the other hand, can only be used to purchase or upgrade large fixed assets, such as equipment and real estate.
To qualify for an SBA loan, you’ll likely need to be an established business with good credit and finances.
» MORE: Compare the best SBA lenders
Online lenders
Compared to bank and SBA loans, online lenders can offer faster access to funds. These lenders leverage technology to expedite the underwriting process.
In addition, online lenders usually have flexible qualification requirements — and may work with startups or borrowers with bad credit. As a result, however, these medical business loans typically have shorter repayment terms and higher interest rates.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
If you’re looking to buy equipment for your medical practice, start your search with specialized equipment financing companies. Because the equipment you purchase serves as collateral on the loan, equipment lenders may rely less heavily on traditional underwriting criteria, such as credit score or time in business. Equipment financing companies may also offer dedicated industry knowledge and expertise, as well as a more personalized funding experience.How to get medical practice loans
To get a business loan for your medical practice, follow these steps:
1. Evaluate your financing needs
Consider which type of medical business loan is best for your needs. If you need working capital, for example, a business line of credit may be a good option. If you want to purchase a new location for your practice, on the other hand, you might use a commercial real estate loan.
You should also consider how much financing you need and how much debt you can afford. A business loan calculator can help you estimate potential payments and interest costs.
2. Review your qualifications
Most lenders will consider factors like personal credit score, annual revenue and time in business when underwriting your loan application. They may also look at your cash flow, available collateral and existing debt obligations.
By reviewing business loan requirements ahead of time, you can get a sense of where you stand with different lenders and better direct your financing search.
3. Research and compare lenders
In general, the best medical practice loan for your business will be the one that offers the lowest rates and most ideal terms. Your decision, however, may also be influenced by the funding process and timeline.
You should research multiple small-business lenders to find the right fit for your needs. You’ll want to compare your options in terms of:
- Loan types.
- Maximum loan amounts.
- Repayment terms and schedule.
- Interest rates.
- Funding speed.
- Application process.
- Lender reputation.
If you’re looking at specialized programs for medical practice loans, you should also consider any unique discounts or features the lender offers.
4. Gather documentation and submit your application
The application process will vary based on your lender and loan type. Banks and SBA lenders will often require extensive documentation, whereas online lenders may not require as much paperwork.
In either case, however, you may need to provide:
- Basic information about you and any other business owners.
- Professional and business licenses and certificates.
- Personal and business bank statements.
- Personal and business tax returns.
- Business financial statements.
- A description of collateral.
5. Review your loan agreement and get funds
When you apply for a bank or SBA loan, it may take anywhere from several days to several weeks to receive approval. Online lenders, on the other hand, may provide approvals as quickly as the same day.
Once you’ve received approval, your lender will send you a business loan agreement to sign. You should review the agreement thoroughly and make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions. If you have any questions or concerns, clarify them with your lender before signing.
After you’ve signed the agreement, the lender will transfer the funds to your business bank account.
Next steps:
- If you can qualify for a bank loan: Compare the best banks for business loans.
- If you need fast funding or can’t qualify for traditional options: Explore the best online business loan options.
- If you’re a startup or have bad credit: Consider microlenders who have flexible qualifications, but competitive terms.
- If you don’t want to take on debt: Learn more about alternative funding types, such as small-business grants or equity financing.
Last updated on August 7, 2024
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 and our editorial guidelines.
Wondering if you qualify?
It’s possible to get a business loan even if you have bad credit. Bad-credit business loans are available from alternative sources, like online or nonprofit lenders.
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