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.
Here are 11 small-business loans for women
Lender | NerdWallet Rating▼ | Max loan amount▼ | Min. credit score▼ | Next steps |
---|---|---|---|---|
SBA 7(a) loan with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for SBA loans for women-owned businesses | $5,000,000 | 650 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
SBA Express loan with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for Low-interest business loans for women | $500,000 | 650 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
Fora Financial - Online term loan with Fundera by NerdWallet | 4.5/5 Best for Small-business loans for women with bad credit | $1,500,000 | 570 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
Fundbox - Line of credit | 5.0/5 Best for Startup business loans for women | $150,000 | 600 | |
Accion Opportunity Fund - Small Business Working Capital Loan | 5.0/5 Best for Business loans for minority women | $250,000 | 570 | |
Bluevine - Line of credit with Fundera by NerdWallet | 5.0/5 Best for Fast business loans for women | $250,000 | 625 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
OnDeck - Online term loan with Fundera by NerdWallet | 5.0/5 Best for Easy business loans for women | $250,000 | 625 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
SBA Microloan with Fundera by NerdWallet | Best for Microloans for women | $50,000 | 620 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
National Funding - Online Term Loan with Fundera by NerdWallet | 4.0/5 Best for Unsecured loans for women | $500,000 | 600 | with Fundera by NerdWallet |
Huntington National Bank - Lift Local Business Program | Best for Business loans for women veterans | $150,000 | Undisclosed | |
Bank of America Business Advantage Unsecured Term Loan | 5.0/5 Best for Bank business loans for women | Undisclosed | 700 | |
Here are 11 small-business loans for women
Best for SBA loans for women-owned businesses
Best for Low-interest business loans for women
Best for Small-business loans for women with bad credit
Best for Startup business loans for women
Max Amount
$150,000
Min. Credit Score
600
Best for Business loans for minority women
Max Amount
$250,000
Min. Credit Score
570
Best for Fast business loans for women
Best for Easy business loans for women
Best for Microloans for women
Best for Unsecured loans for women
Best for Business loans for women veterans
Max Amount
$150,000
Min. Credit Score
Undisclosed
Best for Bank business loans for women
Max Amount
Undisclosed
Min. Credit Score
700
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Our pick for
SBA loans for women-owned businesses
SBA 7(a) loans are a good option for long-term financing and maximum loan limits of up to $5 million.
SBA 7(a) loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan
$5,000,000
Min. Credit score
650
Apr range
11.50-15.00%
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Our pick for
Low-interest business loans for women
The SBA Express loan program offers low interest rates and faster funding with loan amounts up to $500,000.
SBA Express loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan
$500,000
Min. Credit score
650
Apr range
11.50-15.00%
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Our pick for
Small-business loans for women with bad credit
You may be able to qualify for a business loan with Fora Financial with a credit score of 500 or higher and at least six months in business.
Fora Financial - Online term loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan
$1,500,000
Min. Credit score
570
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Our pick for
Startup business loans for women
Fundbox has flexible minimum qualification requirements of at least six months in business and a credit score of 600.
Fundbox - Line of credit
Max loan
$150,000
Min. Credit score
600
Apr range
36.00-99.00%
Our pick for
Business loans for minority women
Nonprofit lender Accion Opportunity Fund says 90% of its borrowers are women, people of color and/or low-to-moderate income.
Accion Opportunity Fund - Small Business Working Capital Loan
Max loan
$250,000
Min. Credit score
570
Apr range
8.49-29.67%
Our pick for
Fast business loans for women
Bluevine can provide funding for business lines of credit within 24 hours and requires a minimum credit score of 625.
Bluevine - Line of credit
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan
$250,000
Min. Credit score
625
Apr range
20.00-50.00%
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Our pick for
Easy business loans for women
You may be able to qualify for a term loan with OnDeck with a year in business and a credit score of 625 or higher.
OnDeck - Online term loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan
$250,000
Min. Credit score
625
Apr range
27.20-99.90%
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Our pick for
Microloans for women
Offered through nonprofit community-based organizations, microloans can provide funding up to $50,000 for working capital and other needs.
SBA Microloan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan
$50,000
Min. Credit score
620
Apr range
8.00-13.00%
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Our pick for
Unsecured loans for women
National Funding doesn’t require collateral to secure a loan and has flexible requirements of six months in business and a minimum credit score of 600.
National Funding - Online Term Loan
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Max loan
$500,000
Min. Credit score
600
with Fundera by NerdWallet
Our pick for
Business loans for women veterans
Huntington National Bank’s Lift Local Business loan program can be a source of funding for women veterans who need capital to start a business or operate an existing one.
Huntington National Bank - Lift Local Business Program
Max loan
$150,000
Min. Credit score
Undisclosed
Our pick for
Bank business loans for women
Bank of America offers a flexible term loan that doesn’t require collateral and can be used for a range of business purposes.
Bank of America Business Advantage Unsecured Term Loan
Max loan
Undisclosed
Min. Credit score
700
Types of small-business loans for women
SBA loans
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Utilizing the free resources offered by the SBA-affiliated agencies and nonprofit organizations, many of which are specifically designed for women business owners, can help you prepare a business plan, navigate the loan application process and secure funding.Bank business loans
Online loans
Microloans
Small-business loans for minority women
Small-business loans for women with bad credit
Startup business loans for women
Alternative funding options for women-owned businesses
- Grants for women-owned businesses. Women-owned businesses can get free funding through small-business grants from private companies and nonprofit organizations. Here are places to look for small-business grants for women. Grants can be highly competitive, but if you do receive funding, that money may help you start or expand your business.
- Personal loans. If you have good personal credit, you may qualify for a personal loan for business. Most personal loans are unsecured, and some loan amounts go as high as $100,000. However, if you don’t make your payments on time, your personal credit will typically be affected and you could risk losing personal assets if you use them as collateral for a secured loan.
- Business credit cards. Business credit cards also offer financing for women-owned small businesses that are starting out or need working capital. Qualification can be easier than for a business loan because approval generally relies more heavily on personal credit history instead of business credit score and revenue.
- Equity financing for women-owned businesses. Equity financing is a type of funding whereby entrepreneurs can raise capital without taking on debt — instead exchanging ownership shares in their company for business funding. Equity financing can include angel investors, venture capitalists and crowdfunding. Although women-owned businesses can face the same obstacles with equity financing as they may with other types of funding, there are programs and companies that target female entrepreneurs, including startup businesses. IFundWomen and 37 Angels, for example, are companies that offer crowdfunding platforms as well as resources for women entrepreneurs to learn and connect with one another.
Other resources for female entrepreneurs
National Women’s Business Council
DreamBuilder
Office of Women’s Business Ownership
Women’s Business Centers
Federal contracting program
SBA 8(a) certification
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
Ascent online learning platform
National Association of Women Business Owners
SCORE
Women’s Business Development Center
How to get certified as a women-owned business
Make sure you qualify
- Your business is at least 51% owned by a woman who is a U.S. citizen.
- Your business meets the SBA’s small business size standards.
- In addition to ownership, your daily business operations are managed by a woman.
- Your business is a for-profit business.
Find a certification agency
Organize your documents
- Business certification and registration paperwork.
- Proof of good standing with your secretary of state.
- Business licenses.
- Owner resumes.
- Brief history of business.
- Proof of citizenship of owners.
- Business financial documents.
Find the right business loan
Methodology
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.