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Loans
Track and manage business loans, interest, and repayment schedules
Minnesota Just Made 'Sending a Lead' a Licensed Activity — Here's What Changes August 1
Minnesota's HB 4188 redefines 'arranging' small-dollar and short-term consumer loans to include marketing, lead generation, underwriting, and collections. Starting August 1, 2026, lead generators, affiliates, and referral partners handling loans of $1,300 or less may need a Regulated Loan license — Connecticut has already fined an unlicensed mortgage lead generator $50,000 under a similar regime.
CDFI Loans Explained: How Mission-Driven Lenders Fund the Businesses Banks Reject
CDFIs are Treasury-certified mission-driven lenders that approve roughly 23-30% of small business applicants versus 13-15% at large banks, fund true startups with no hard credit minimums, accept ITINs in place of Social Security numbers, and offer fixed rates as low as 7%. Here's how CDFI underwriting works, who qualifies, and how to apply.
Business Line of Credit vs. Term Loan: How to Match the Financing to the Need
A term loan charges interest on the full lump sum from day one; a line of credit only charges for what you draw. This guide compares 2026 rates (bank term loans 6.8%–11%, SBA 7(a) 9.75%–13.25%, bank lines 8%–14%), qualification bars, and a three-question framework for choosing the right product.
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.
The SBA's 90% Grocery Guarantee: A Financing Guide for Small Grocers and Food Businesses
The SBA's 90% Grocery Guarantee, launched May 2026, raises the federal guarantee on food-supply-chain loans from 75% to 90% — up to $5 million over 25 years — and approved $30 million in its first month. Here's who qualifies, how it differs from a standard 7(a) loan, and what lenders need to see in your books before you apply.
The SBA's New 90% Grocery Guarantee: A Financing Lifeline for Small Grocers and Food Suppliers
The SBA's 2026 Grocery Guarantee raises its loan guarantee from 75% to 90% for roughly 20 qualifying food-supply-chain NAICS codes, covering loans up to $5 million with terms up to 25 years, and backed 19 loans totaling more than $30 million in its first month.
SBA MARC Loans Explained: FY2026 Fee Waivers for Manufacturers
The SBA has waived upfront fees on 7(a) and 504 loans for manufacturers through September 2026 and launched MARC, a revolving credit line up to $5 million for NAICS 31-33 businesses, after issuing its first $3.5 million in MARC loans to four manufacturers in December 2025.
C-PACE Financing for Commercial Property Energy Upgrades: Rates, Terms, and the Lender Consent Catch
C-PACE financing lets commercial property owners fund HVAC, solar, and resiliency upgrades with 100% financing repaid through the property tax bill at 5.5%-9.5% fixed rates over 20-30 years, though the senior-lien structure requires existing mortgage lender consent, which is the most common closing bottleneck.
New York's New Buy Now, Pay Later Rules: What Merchants Offering Installment Checkout Need to Know
New York's NYDFS has proposed the first state BNPL licensing framework, requiring lenders to obtain a license and merchants to transmit refund credit statements within seven business days of approving a return.
SBA's Made in America Loan Guarantee: A Manufacturer's Financing Guide
The SBA's Made in America enhancement raises the 7(a) International Trade Loan guarantee to 90% on loans up to $5 million for manufacturers and waives guarantee fees through fiscal year 2026, cutting a lender's unguaranteed exposure on a $3 million loan from roughly $750,000 to $300,000.