Funding comparison
SBA Loan vs Business Term Loan
Compare published guidelines for structure, timing, credit profile, and common uses. Final terms depend on underwriting and the specific offer.
Compare my optionsSide by side
Published product guidelines
These ranges and timing estimates were retained from the legacy Now Biz Fund project. They are not offers or guarantees.
| Consideration | SBA Loan | Business Term Loan |
|---|
| Range | $50K–$5M | $25K–$500K |
|---|
| Typical funding speed | 30–60 days | 48–72 hours |
|---|
| FICO guideline | 650+ | 580+ |
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| Often considered for | Established businesses seeking lower-cost, longer-term capital | A defined project with a clear amount and payoff horizon |
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| Structure | Government-guaranteed term financing, including SBA 7(a) and Express | A lump sum repaid through scheduled installments over a set term |
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The short version
SBA Loan
SBA loans can offer longer repayment periods and competitive costs to qualified, established businesses that can support a more involved process.
- Designed for eligible long-term business uses
- More documentation and underwriting than faster products
- Best when cost matters more than immediate funding
The short version
Business Term Loan
A business term loan provides one amount with a defined repayment schedule, making it easier to plan around a specific investment.
- Predictable scheduled payments
- A defined term and payoff date
- Useful for expansion, build-outs, equipment, or refinancing
Decision guide
Which should you consider?
Choose the SBA path when the business can support deeper underwriting and waiting for a potentially lower-cost, longer-term structure. Choose term loan when the stated use and faster timing matter more. Compare total cost, payment cadence, collateral, and guarantees in the actual offers.
Start a no-obligation reviewCommon questions
SBA loan vs Term loan: practical answers
Which option is usually faster?
Business Term Loan has the faster published timing guideline here, but document readiness and underwriting determine actual timing.
What credit profile is generally considered?
SBA Loan lists 650+; Business Term Loan lists 580+. These are guidelines, not approval guarantees, and other underwriting factors apply.
How should I compare cost?
Request the total repayment, fees, payment frequency, term, prepayment treatment, and any collateral or guarantee requirements in writing. A rate or factor alone does not show the full cost.
Can a business use both?
Sometimes, if each product serves a distinct need and the combined payments remain affordable. Existing obligations affect underwriting, so disclose them before accepting an offer.