#business-loans
Business Loans
Explore business loan options, rates, and financing strategies
Federal Regulators Tell Banks to Scrutinize Loans Tied to Work Authorization: A Guide for Immigrant-Owned Businesses
On July 13, 2026, the FDIC, OCC, and NCUA directed banks to tighten underwriting on loans to borrowers without U.S. work authorization, following a June CFPB statement reversing 2023 fair-lending guidance. Here's what the guidance says, how it affects immigrant entrepreneurs and their employers, and five concrete steps to keep financing accessible.
The SBA's New MARC Loan: A Practical Guide to Revolving Credit for Manufacturers
The SBA's new MARC loan gives NAICS 31-33 manufacturers up to $5 million in revolving working capital secured by business assets only, priced around prime plus 3.25%, with no personal real estate collateral and no borrowing base certificates required.
CFPB Regulation B Overhaul: What the End of Disparate-Impact Liability Means for Your Small Business's Credit Decisions
The CFPB's final Regulation B rule takes effect July 21, 2026, removing disparate-impact liability from ECOA, narrowing the discouragement standard, and adding participant-level documentation requirements for for-profit special-purpose credit programs — a practical guide for small-business borrowers and lenders.
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) Explained: The Number That Decides Your Business Loan
DSCR equals net operating income divided by total debt service. Most conventional lenders require at least 1.25, SBA programs 1.1 to 1.25, and a ratio below 1.0 is an automatic decline. Here is how to calculate yours, the mistakes that sink applications, and how to improve a weak ratio before you apply.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Explained: Formula, Benchmarks, and the Loan Covenant That Can Default You on Time Payments
The fixed charge coverage ratio (FCCR) compares operating cash flow to debt payments, leases, taxes, and other fixed obligations. Most lenders set covenant minimums between 1.1x and 1.5x — and dropping below the threshold can trigger technical default even when every payment is current. Here is the formula, the benchmarks, and what actually moves the number.
The Rule of 78: Why Paying Off an Equipment Loan Early Saves Less Than You Think
The Rule of 78 front-loads loan interest so a lender on a 48-month, $8,000-interest equipment loan has earned about 74% of that interest by month 24 — gutting the savings from early payoff. Here's how precomputed loans work, where they're still legal under 15 U.S.C. § 1615, and how to spot one before you sign.
Times Interest Earned Ratio Explained: The Number Lenders Check First
The times interest earned (TIE) ratio — EBIT divided by interest expense — tells lenders how many times over your operating earnings cover your interest bill. Most lenders want at least 2.5–3.0; below 1.5 signals high default risk. Here's how to calculate it, where it falls short, and how to improve it before a loan application.
Is Medical Debt Still on Your Credit Report in 2026? A State-by-State Guide for Small Business Owners
The CFPB's nationwide medical debt credit reporting ban was vacated by a Texas federal court in July 2025, leaving protection to 15 state laws and the bureaus' voluntary policies — paid debts, collections under $500, and a 365-day grace period stay off reports everywhere. Here's what still applies in your state and how to keep a medical collection from raising your business loan rate.
The Fed's 2026 Rate Pause: What It Means for Your Variable-Rate SBA Loan
The Fed held rates at 3.50%-3.75% for a fourth consecutive meeting in June 2026, keeping the prime rate at 6.75% and SBA 7(a) variable rates near 9-11.5% APR, so refinancing into a fixed rate can pay off once you account for SBA prepayment penalties (5%/3%/1% in years one through three) and lender fees.
Loan Covenants for Small Business Borrowers: How DSCR, FCCR, and Tangible Net Worth Decide When a Performing Loan Can Be Called
Loan covenants—DSCR, fixed charge coverage, tangible net worth, and leverage limits—can put a small business borrower in default while every payment is current. A practical breakdown of affirmative, negative, and financial covenants, cure periods, waiver requests, and what to negotiate before signing a credit agreement.
Customer Concentration Risk: The 10% Rule That Quietly Drains Valuation, Credit, and Leverage
Customer concentration above 10% triggers GAAP disclosure, and concentrations above 30% can knock 20–35% off a sale price and shrink bank advance rates. Where the danger thresholds sit, how lenders and acquirers price the risk, and how to diversify revenue before it costs you.
UCC Filings Explained: How Stale Liens Block Your Next Business Loan
A UCC-1 financing statement lasts five years and can block future financing if a lender forgets to file a UCC-3 termination after payoff. This guide covers specific vs. blanket liens, how to search your state's records, and how to force a termination under Article 9.