Having available cash on hand is crucial for businesses of all sizes, and a business line of credit is often a great way to get that cash. A credit line can help when you have unexpected cash flow gaps or when you want to take advantage of opportunities that arise. That’s why so many business owners have turned to a business line of credit—according to a 2017 study by the Federal Reserve, a business line of credit was one of the top three most popular financing options amongst business owners who applied for financing.
But how easy is it to actually get a business line of credit? Your chances of getting a credit line largely depend on a few things: your qualifications, the lender, and type of credit line you want.
Most line of credit lenders require businesses to have at least a few years of history and healthy revenue numbers to qualify for a line of credit. Larger lines of credit may require additional requirements, such as collateral.
This can all seem intimidating—especially if you’re a new business. To make the process easier, we’ve laid out five straightforward steps for how to get a line of credit for your business.
- Review your credit score and finances. Your credit score and financial history are a big part of your business line of credit application. A higher credit score will give you a better chance of getting approved.
- Compare your options. Compare your lending options to get an idea of how well you qualify for a business line of credit.
- Check the requirements. Traditional banks tend to be harder to qualify than other types of lenders.
- Know the cost. Some lenders are more costly than others. Make sure you know your interest rates and fees upfront from your lender.
- Gather documents and apply. When you’re ready, gather and submit your documents and business information, and you’re done!
Why consider a business line of credit?
A business line of credit is a convenient form of financing for businesses that want a flexible way to cover working capital expenses or finance growth opportunities. Whether you need funds to pay rent, cover payroll, purchase equipment or take on a new project, a business line of credit can create a cash cushion when you have cash flow gaps and want to keep your business running smoothly.
Business lines of credit are inexpensive to maintain, especially compared to other forms of financing (think term loans or merchant cash advances). Keeping one open costs virtually nothing—and just like how a personal credit card works, you’re only responsible for paying interest on the amount you draw.
Why is a line of credit better than a business loan?
A line of credit isn’t necessarily better than a business loan, but there are reasons it may be a better fit for your business. For instance, a business loan gives you funds in one lump sum, which means you’ll start repaying the entire amount almost immediately. With a business line of credit, you have the flexibility to request funds as you need them. This means you’ll only be responsible to make repayments on what you borrowed, not the entire line. Plus, as you make repayments, your line replenishes so you can borrow more funds.
Here are three reasons you might choose a business line of credit over a business loan:
- Business line of credit replenishes as you repay
- Only pay for what you draw from your credit line
- No prepayment penalties
What’s the difference between a secured and unsecured business line of credit?
There are several types of business credit lines. For example, some credit lines are secured with collateral, while others are unsecured debt.
- Secured lines of credit are guaranteed by collateral, like property or equity. A secured credit line could come with a higher credit limit and a lower interest rate. However, if you default on payments, your lender can seize the collateral you put up to secure the credit line. This means you risk losing property and/or your business if you fail to repay your credit line draws.
- Unsecured lines of credit do not require you to put up collateral. So, while an unsecured credit line might come with a slightly higher interest rate and lower credit limit, you wouldn’t be risking your business or property if you fail to make repayments.
What’s the difference between short-term and long-term business lines of credit?
Now, let’s explore credit lines with short or long repayment terms.
- Short repayment terms are credit lines with six to 12 months repayment terms. These terms are ideal if you’re looking to pay off your line of credit faster and want to potentially save more in interest.
- Long repayment terms are credit lines with repayment terms over 12 months. Longer repayment terms make sense if you need more time to pay off your credit line or want lower monthly payments.
Short-term business line of credit
If you’re looking for a business line of credit with short repayment terms, it’s worth applying to online lenders. Online lenders are generally a better option for businesses that are looking to save time on the application process and want access to funds on-demand. Additionally, since online lenders offer shorter repayment terms, the requirements aren’t as rigid.
When you apply to an online lender you will usually get a decision within one to two business days. To apply to an online lender follow these steps:
- Apply online: for lenders that have shorter repayment terms, they typically have an online application process that takes at most five minutes to complete.
- Upload your statements: online lenders don’t require much documentation; at most, you’ll need to upload three months worth of bank statements. If they need more information, they may ask for your tax returns and/or a debt schedule.
- Get a decision: once you’ve submitted an application, you should get a decision within one to two business days.
Long-term business line of credit
If you want to get a business line of credit with longer repayment terms, you should apply to a traditional bank. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:
- Check your credit score and business financials: to qualify for a bank line of credit you should expect to have a strong credit score of at least 680 and stellar business financials (stable cash flow, high revenue, and little to no existing debt). You may want to consult with a finance professional beforehand so that you have a clear picture of your business’s financial health.
- Get all of your documents together: When applying for a business line of credit with longer repayment terms, you must be prepared to submit a lot of documentation. This includes historical financial statements, balance sheets, tax returns, P&L statements, and income statements.
- Apply and wait: Once you’ve sorted out your documents, all you have to do is apply and wait. Some banks such as Wells Fargo still require you to visit a branch in order to submit your application. After you apply, expect to wait at least a couple of months to get a decision.
How to apply for a business line of credit
1. Find out if your business is qualified
Ultimately, the most accurate way to find out if you qualify for a business credit line is to apply—but you wouldn’t want to apply to many lenders only to get rejected or receive a disappointing offer.
To get a quick pulse on if you’re qualified for funding, consider the factors below:
Credit Score
Most lenders will look at your personal and/or business credit score to figure out the riskiness of your business. The stronger your score (680 is usually the cut-off for banks), the more options you have. However, just because you have a weaker credit score doesn’t mean you won’t be able to qualify for a business line of credit at other lenders. You can also build business credit by making consistent, on-time payments on recurring business bills, keeping your debt in check, and making sure there are no errors on your credit report.
Monthly/Annual Revenue
To determine whether you can pay back your credit line, lenders will look at your monthly or annual revenue from your income statements as well as the trajectory of your revenue over a period of time. Your annual revenue is one of the most important metrics lenders look at; when they see your sales grow month after month, it shows that you know how to run your business and execute on your business plan. This not only makes lenders more likely to lend to you, but also makes them more likely to gradually increase your credit line to support the growth of your business.
Business History
When you apply for a business line of credit, lenders will ask you how long your business has been in operation. Banks look for businesses that have been around for at least two years. If you’re a new business (between three to 12 months old), online lenders are a better option because they’re more willing to take on the risk of lending to younger businesses.
2. Compare your business line of credit options
Now that you have a general idea of how to apply for a business line of credit, your next step is understand the major pros and cons of each type of popular lender:
Traditional bank lines of credit
Getting a line of credit from traditional banks are highly sought after because of their affordability and terms. If you manage to get a line of credit from a bank, you probably should accept the offer. But securing a line of credit from a bank is a lot easier said than done. To qualify for a line of credit, traditional banks often require at least two years of business history and $250,000 in annual revenue.
A good first step to securing a business line of credit with a bank is to contact the bank you have an existing relationship with. However, you should note that most banks have a time-consuming application process. If you have a hard time getting accepted by traditional lenders but still want reasonable rates and terms (like Bank of America or Chase) you might want to consider a line of credit from your local credit union or community bank.
Online lender business lines of credit
For those who don’t have the time or resources to spend filling out a traditional bank application, online lenders are a better option. In order to qualify for a business line of credit, most online lenders will ask you to complete the entire application online. The best part is that most online lenders don’t require sky-high credit scores or extensive financial records.
Once you submit your application, these lenders use a combination of both automation and manual underwriting to get you an offer. This means you can get a decision on your application within one to two business days. The interest rates are slightly higher with online lenders because they get the funds they lend to businesses from capital markets which is more expensive. But their application and approval processes are typically much faster.
Business credit lines from credit unions
Credit unions are member-owned and not-for-profit. This means that each member of a credit union has equal ownership and that any earnings made will go back to improving their products and services, which means lower rates and generally better products for their customers. To join a credit union, you usually must qualify for their field of membership, pay a small fee, and use your account frequently. Fields of membership vary depending on the credit union. Some credit unions are community-based, which only requires you to live within a certain area, and others are occupation-based.
A major drawback of credit unions is ease of use. Most credit unions have fewer branches and ATMs, which can make drawing funds a hassle. Additionally, credit unions don’t have strong mobile and online banking capabilities like online lenders and banks.
3. Know the minimum requirements
What do you need to qualify for a business line of credit? The following table is a broad overview of the minimum qualifications for each lender. As you can see, traditional banks are the hardest to qualify for, followed by credit unions and online lenders. Please note that the information here is not definitive; you should use it as a benchmark to gauge where your business stands the best chance of getting a business line of credit.
| Lender | Banks | Online Lenders | Credit Unions |
| Credit Score | 680+ | 500+ | N/A |
| Years in Business | 2 years | 6 months | 3 years |
| Annual Revenue | $250,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 |
4. Understand the total cost of interest rates and fees
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
When it comes to rates, it’s often thought that APR is the only rate to keep an eye out for, but that simply isn’t true. APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is an annualized percentage of the original loan amount plus the additional fees.
While knowing the APR is important, in some cases knowing the simple interest rate – the amount of interest you pay as a portion of the loan – makes more sense and may be cheaper. For instance, if you plan on borrowing money for less than a year, calculating the simple interest rate would give you a clearer picture of how much the loan would cost you than an annualized rate.
Simple Interest Rate
The simple interest rate is the interest you’ll pay to the lender on top of the loan you’re borrowing. You can use this formula to calculate simple interest rate:
Simple interest rate = Total Interest Charged / Loan amount
So if you are charged $100 in interest fees on a $10,000 six-month loan, you would pay a 1%simple interest rate.
Other Lender Fees
Here are some of the most common fees that lenders charge to use a business line of credit.
- Draw fees: Draw fees cost between one to two percent of the total draw amount. They are charged on each draw that you take.
- Payment Processing Fees: Payment processing fees are incurred depending on how fast you want funds deposited in your bank account. A wire transfer can get you funds within hours but usually costs between $15 to $35. The ACH method is usually free of charge but takes about two or more business days to complete.
- Late Fees: When you pay late or fail a payment, you may be charged with late fees. Late fees usually cost a low percentage of your credit line but can add up quickly.
- Termination Fees: If you decide to end your line of credit at any point before the full term of your loan, you may have to pay a termination fee of one to two percent of your credit line.
- Prepayment Fees: Some lenders will actually charge fees if you pay your draws off early. These fees range from 3 to 5 percent of the loan principal. The good news is that many online lenders offer no prepayment fees.
5. Gather your financial documents and apply
The last step to get a business line of credit is to gather your documents and wait for the right time to apply. Here are some of the documents and type of information you’ll be expected to submit to a lender:
- Personal information: to verify your identity, lenders will require you to submit information about yourself. This includes your full legal name, social security, criminal record, and educational background.
- Bank statements: many lenders require at least one year of bank statements; alternative lenders are the exception to this and need only three months of statements.
- Financial statements: to determine the financial strength of your business, you’ll need to submit important financial statements such as your P&L sheet, cash flow sheet, and balance sheet.
- Information about other stakeholders: if you own less than 50% of the business, you must provide information about any additional stakeholders.
- Legal documents: depending on the lender you apply to, you will be expected to submit one or more of the following: business licenses and registrations, business formation document, business tax ID, contracts with third parties and/or UCC filings.
- Debt schedule: if you have any existing debt, some lenders will expect you to provide a debt schedule. This shows all your business’s outstanding loans, credit, and payment schedule.
- Tax returns: lenders will require you to show personal and business income tax returns over the last three years.
After you’ve applied, all you need to do is wait. Applying when your business is doing well is a smart way to increase your chances of getting a business line of credit, as well as getting a higher credit line amount
Apply for a Bluevine Line of Credit
Common business line of credit application mistakes
Not having a clear idea why you need the funds
You should always have a game plan when applying for a business line of credit or any form of financing. When we speak to potential clients, we want to make sure that the financing we’re offering fits into a longer term plan for the business. Sometimes business owners obtain financing without a long-term strategy. Some businesses have applied for financing with us two months after getting a short-term loan with another lender. That limits what we can do for them because now they’re more leveraged. It affects what we could offer them. When there are liens on a business that might limit our offer. From what could have been a $50,000 credit limit, we’re now looking at $20,000.
Rushing through the application
If you’re a small business owner, it’s a given that you wear many hats and work very long hours. So when there’s a desperate situation and you need funds quickly, it may be tempting to rush through as many credit line applications as possible. Sadly, this can hurt hurt your chance to obtain financing.
Simple errors can cause you problems, such as a typo in the EIN [employer identification number] or using the incorrect business address.
That’s why you should set aside at least an hour of your day to really focus on the application.
TIP: Make sure you list the best contact number or information. There are times when business owners put down the main business line or email even though they typically don’t answer calls on that line. So lenders end up not being able to get a hold of them, leaving business owners wondering why they haven’t gotten a response.
Being dishonest on the application
You may be tempted to over-state your financial standing on your application. Bad idea.
Lenders know that sometimes businesses are in a desperate situation. But don’t try to fudge the numbers, because that typically gets exposed in the end through their underwriting process. And once the lender finds out, it can really hurt your chances of getting a line of credit.
So keep this in mind: never compromise the integrity of your business.
Ready to get a line of credit?
A business line of credit is one of the most convenient forms of financing for businesses. Before applying, it’s important to consider your business’s financial health, know the rates, understand your options, and gather the appropriate documents. Make sure your application stands out by having a web presence, inputting the correct information, and being honest about your business financials.
Apply for a Bluevine Line of Credit
A secured line of credit requires collateral—private property or assets which you agree to forfeit if you can’t repay the credit line. Because the risk to the lender is lower, you can usually access much higher credit limits at lower interest rates, all while meeting lower requirements. As long as your business is able to repay the balance, secured lines of credit are a great way to quickly access capital. Mortgages and auto loans are common examples of secured loans.
An unsecured line of credit doesn’t require collateral. Because the risk to the lender is higher, you usually need to meet higher requirements for a smaller credit line and higher interest rates. If you don’t have collateral to offer or just want a less risky line, an unsecured line of credit is the safer option. Examples of unsecured credit or loans include credit cards and student loans.
With a business loan, you’ll receive a lump sum of money up front that you have to pay back over time. A line of credit is a long-term pot of money, which you can take from whenever you want (up to your credit limit) and replenishes as you repay what you took plus interest.
Business loans are useful for specific projects that need an upfront investment, but a business line of credit is more flexible and cost-effective—you’ll pay less to have quicker access to funds. Lines of credit will also better equip your business to grow long-term, since you won’t have to apply for a new loan whenever you experience periodic dips in sales or temporary emergencies. (Some credit lines do require approval for each draw, but these approvals are quicker than re-applying for a loan.) Repaying a line of credit will also help you build your business credit history.
When you apply for your line of credit, you’ll be responsible for supplying documentation for each of these requirements:
625+ FICO score
In business for 24+ months
$40,000 in monthly revenue
In good standing
No bankruptcies for the past three years
You can apply for a line of credit as an LLC as long as you’ve established a solid business credit profile—a 625+ FICO score, in business for 24+ months, in good standing with no recent bankruptcies the past three years, and earning $40,000 or more in monthly revenue.
Next, you’ll need to gather the necessary documentation for the application—this will include official documents with basic information about you and your business, and a bank connection or bank statements for the past three months.
You won’t be able to get a business line of credit until you’ve established your business credit profile, but you may be able to apply for a personal line of credit, SBA microloan, or business credit card to fund the early stages of your business.
This article was originally published on Dec. 28, 2016. It was updated on March 24, 2019.
