Find the Lowest Rates on Business Lines of Credit

Updated on March 10, 2021
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What Is a Business Line of Credit?

A business line of credit gives access to a pool of funds to draw from when you need capital. It gives you the flexibility to borrow up to a set amount—typically anywhere from $50,000 to $500,000—whenever you need access to capital. You don’t make payments or incur interest until you actually tap into those funds.

You can draw on a small business line of credit to handle cash flow gaps, access more working capital, address an emergency, or take advantage of a business opportunity.

Line of Credit Details

Max. Loan AmountLoan TermInterest RatesSpeed
$10K to over $1M3 months to 18 months7% - 25%Under 24 hours (in some cases)
Green checkmarkPros
  • Only pay interest on funds drawn
  • Capital is available when needed
Red X markCons
  • Lenders may place a UCC-lien
  • Harder to qualify for

The Best Line of Credit Lenders

BlueVine

BlueVine

Best for: Fast, accessible business lines of credit.

BlueVine
Idea Financial

Idea Financial

Best for: Fast, flexible revolving business lines of credit

Idea Financial

How Does a Small Business Line of Credit Work?

Lines of credit are similar to a credit card: A bank or lender approves you for a set amount of financing (similar to a credit limit) which you can draw from at your discretion.

Once you repay what you’ve spent, you can continue to draw capital from your line of credit. This sort of financing is often referred to as revolving credit because you can tap into it again and again.

Here’s an example: Say you’re approved for a small business line of credit of $60,000. You decide to take out $40,000, keeping the other $20,000 in the pool of available funds.

Once you pay that $40,000 back, plus interest, you’ll have the full $60,000 at your fingertips again—without having to apply for another loan.

Revolving small business lines of credit typically don’t have term lengths—you can withdraw and pay back those funds indefinitely, as long as your lender believes that you’re a responsible borrower. The time and energy you save is one of the biggest benefits to a business line of credit.

Although most business lines of credit are traditional revolving credit products, some will not automatically renew after you’ve fully repaid what you owe. Some non-revolving lenders will have you reapply to renew your line of credit. Assuming you’ve remained in good graces with your lender, reapplying should be an easy process.

Business lines of credit are sometimes differentiated as short-term lines of credit and medium-term lines of credit. The differences are mostly in their minimum qualifications, maximum fund amounts, and interest rates.

The longest-term lines of credit typically come from a traditional bank. Medium-term lines of credit and short-term lines of credit are typically found with online lenders.

Business lines of credit can come secured—backed by collateral like inventory or accounts receivable—or unsecured, backed only by your personal guarantee.

Business Lines of Credit vs. Traditional Term Loans

So what sets a business line of credit apart from a traditional term loan?

To start, business lines of credit usually come with lower interest rates and closing costs than traditional term loans of similar sizes. But if you’re late with a payment or go over your credit limit, that interest rate could spike pretty high.

Also, with term loans, you pay interest constantly for the entire repayment period, whereas with lines of credit, you only pay interest on the amount of money you draw, when you draw from the line.

If you’re comparing a small business line of credit vs. a term loan, keep in mind that lines of credit tend to work better for repeated cash flow issues while term loans often make more sense when it comes to specific purchases or one-off business investments. But that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t use a business line of credit for business purchases, too.

Business Line of Credit vs. Credit Card

Although business lines of credit and business credit cards are both forms of “revolving” credit, there are a few important differences you should be aware of:

  • Credit cards usually have higher interest rates.
  • Credit cards charge additional fees for cash advances and, often, balance transfers.
  • Credit cards typically require payments on a monthly basis while business lines of credit usually don’t.
  • Lines of credit give you access to cash.

How to Use a Business Line of Credit

The biggest advantage of a business line of credit is its renewability: you can draw funds, pay them back, and draw again.

You can use a small business line of credit for a variety of business purposes, including the following:

  • Ongoing operating expenses
  • Cover cash flow gaps
  • Take advantage of unexpected opportunities
  • Provide cushion to protect against emergencies
  • Cover seasonal downturns in sales
  • Make larger purchases

This flexibility is what makes a business line of credit such a valuable loan product for small business owners. If something unexpected happens, you have the money on hand to be able to deal with it.

Who Qualifies for Small Business Lines of Credit?

Younger, less established businesses might be able to qualify for short-term lines of credit, while medium-term lines of credit are more for businesses with good credit and a solid financial history.

The maximum amount of funding available, introductory duration of the credit line, and repayment terms depend on your business’s revenues, credit rating, history, and other factors.

Qualifications for a Business Line of Credit

icon Over $180K
Annual Revenue
Over $180K
icon 630
Credit Score
630
icon Over 1 year
Time in Business
Over 1 year
*Based on past Fundera customers. Note that due to the ongoing pandemic and its impact on the economy, lenders have raised their qualification standards for the time being. Businesses seeking a line of credit should have annual revenues of at least $250,000 and a minimum 650 credit score.

How Do You Apply for a Business Line of Credit?

Applying for a business line of credit can be a relatively easy process, depending on the lender you’re working with.

Online business line of credit providers have quick, streamlined applications, thanks to the use of technology in their underwriting processes. These providers typically offer smaller, shorter-term options.

Traditional banks, on the other hand, have more intensive applications and may take slightly longer to fund, but offer larger and longer-term lines of credit.

Documents You'll Need to Apply

  • Driver’s license
  • Voided business check
  • Bank statements
  • Credit score

With banks, you may also need to provide the following:

  • Balance sheet
  • Profit & loss statements
  • Business tax returns
  • Personal tax returns

What Will a Business Line of Credit Cost You?

The basic cost of a business line of credit is pretty straightforward: You only pay interest on the cash you draw.

Say you have a $25,000 line of credit and use $5,000 from that line of credit to cover your debts while you wait for payment from a customer. If your interest rate is 11%, you’ll pay back $5,550 (or $5,000 plus $550 in interest).

Once that’s paid off, you can continue making additional draws up to the $25,000 maximum, only paying interest on what you’re borrowing at any given time.

Is a Business Line of Credit Right for You?

A business line of credit is among the most flexible financing options out there. Even if you don’t have any immediate financing needs, having a line of credit as a rainy day fund can provide you with peace of mind. What’s more, if you pay back what you use quickly, the cost of a line of credit can be relatively inexpensive. For all these reasons, we recommend a line of credit for any business owner that has short to medium-term financing needs.

Read More About Business Lines of Credit