What Credit Score Do You Need for a Business Loan?
The credit score you need depends on the product. See typical minimums for working capital, credit lines, term and SBA loans, and options for lower credit.
There isn't one credit score that unlocks every business loan. The minimum depends entirely on the product — and some of the fastest options have no credit minimum at all.
Typical minimums by product
| Product | Typical minimum score |
|---|---|
| Working capital | No minimum (revenue-based) |
| Invoice factoring | No minimum (based on your customers) |
| Equipment financing | ~600 |
| Business line of credit | ~550 |
| Term loan | ~580 |
| SBA loan | ~650 |
| Commercial real estate | ~680 |
These are general guidelines — actual approval also depends on your revenue, time in business, and overall profile.
Why revenue can matter more than credit
For short-term products, lenders care most about whether your business generates enough consistent revenue to repay. Strong, steady bank deposits can outweigh a mediocre personal credit score. That's why working capital and factoring can fund businesses that a bank would decline.
How to get funded with lower credit
- Lead with revenue. Choose revenue-based products (working capital, factoring) where credit isn't the gate.
- Use collateral. Equipment financing is secured by the equipment, which lowers the credit bar.
- Bring time in business. A longer track record offsets a weaker score.
- Don't shotgun applications. Multiple hard pulls hurt your score. Apply once through a marketplace that does a soft pull and matches you to fits.
Checking your options with Cashifi is a soft pull — it shows what you qualify for without dinging your credit.
The bottom line
A lower credit score narrows your options, but it rarely closes the door. The key is matching to the product that weighs your strengths. The fastest way to find out is to check.
Find your options
See what you qualify for in about four minutes, with no impact to your credit score.
This guide explains how small business funding generally works. It isn't financial, legal or tax advice, and rates and terms change — check the current terms of any offer before you decide.
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