Pick the financing that fits.
Line of credit
Draw what you need, pay back, redraw. Best for working capital, AR financing, opportunistic.
Term loan
Lump-sum, fixed monthly payment over 3-7 years. Best for expansion, M&A, equipment buyout.
Equipment financing
Loan secured by equipment (vehicles, machinery, hardware). Lower rate.
Revenue-based
% of monthly revenue. No personal guarantee. Higher cost · flexible payback.
Common questions.
What financing options does my business have?
Common options include SBA loans, bank term loans and lines of credit, business credit cards, equipment financing, and, for startups, equity investment, each suited to different needs, stages, and credit profiles. We flag how your entity and credit affect which options are realistic. See small business loans.
What do lenders look for?
Typically your business and personal credit, time in business, revenue and cash flow, and often collateral or a personal guarantee, since they are assessing whether you can repay. Building business credit and clean records strengthens your position. We flag how to prepare so an application is not dead on arrival.
What is an SBA loan?
An SBA loan is a bank loan partially guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, which reduces the lender's risk and can mean better terms and lower down payments than a conventional loan, though the application is more involved. We flag what lenders look for so your business is positioned before you apply.
Does my business need its own credit to borrow?
It helps significantly: separate business credit can improve loan terms and reduce reliance on your personal credit, and lenders increasingly evaluate business credit on its own. We flag how forming an entity and reporting tradelines build the profile that makes borrowing easier.
What is a business line of credit?
A revolving facility you draw on as needed and repay, useful for managing cash flow and short-term needs rather than a one-time purchase, and often easier to qualify for as your business establishes credit. We flag how it fits your financing mix so you use the right tool for the need.
Should I use debt or raise equity?
Debt keeps ownership but must be repaid regardless of results, while equity brings capital without repayment but gives up ownership, so the right choice depends on your model and plans. We flag the trade-offs so financing fits your situation, not just what is available.
How does my entity affect borrowing?
A formed entity with its own EIN and bank account lets you build business credit and present as a real business to lenders, while an unformed sole proprietor leans entirely on personal credit. We keep your entity organized so your business can build its own borrowing profile.
How do I prepare to qualify for financing?
By forming the entity, separating business finances, keeping clean books, and building business credit over time, so that when you apply the business presents as organized and creditworthy. We keep your entity and records organized so financing readiness is built in, not scrambled for later.
Can File.Business help me get financing-ready?
We form the entity, obtain the EIN, help separate business finances, and support building business credit, so your business is positioned to qualify, and we flag which options fit your stage, though the lending itself runs through banks and lenders.