Where Can I Get a Short-term Business Loan?

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Short-term business loans, typically those with repayment periods lasting anywhere from three months to 24 months, are a useful tool for companies that need cash to cover gaps or immediate needs. Some lenders offer flexible short-term loans with the most favorable rates and terms, while others may provide fast funding in as little as one to three days.

If you’re in the market for business funding, there are a few places where you can get a short-term loan.

Banks and credit unions

A bank or credit union typically offers the lowest rates and has flexible repayment periods. This includes term loans where you can choose a short repayment period of 24 months or less or opt for a longer repayment period, usually up to 60 months.

This flexibility gives you more control to decide how you manage your loan and your cash. You can pay off a loan early and save interest, or you can choose to budget payments over a longer period, which may give you breathing room to ensure you have enough cash on hand to cover all of your business’s obligations.

However, bank lenders aren’t the best choice if you need a fast business loan. Some lenders may require you to apply over the phone or in person, and the extensive underwriting processes could mean you won’t see funds for at least a few days to a week once you apply. Receiving funds quickly may be important if you’re covering an immediate or emergency expense.

Banks that offer short-term business loans

If you’re looking for a short-term loan from a traditional bank, here are four top options.

Online lenders

If you’re looking for the fastest possible application, approval and funding timeline, an online lender might be the best option. These lenders specialize in quick funding, often getting cash to you within 24 to 48 hours.

Online lenders also tend to offer more alternative financing options, like merchant cash advances or invoice factoring. These are accessible loans that may provide access to funds to business owners who may not qualify for loans from banks or credit unions, like startups and business owners with bad credit.

The downside is that online lenders with low credit score requirements and open to new businesses tend to offer lower loan amounts. Their loans also tend to have higher interest rates and fees, such as a 30 percent APR, and shorter repayment periods that could lead to higher monthly repayments than bank loans.

Online lenders that offer short-term business loans

If you’re not sure where to look, here is a sample of top online lenders offering short-term business loans.

Pros and cons of short-term business loans

Consider the pros and cons of short-term business loans before applying for one.

Pros

• Fast funding. Many short-term loans have quick applications and fast funding. You can get the cash you need as soon as 24 to 48 hours.
• Quick repayment. With a short-term loan, you’ll be out of debt relatively quickly.
• Streamlined application. Many short-term lenders allow you to apply online with minimal documentation, helping you get approved quickly.

Cons

• Higher rates and fees. Short-term loans tend to carry higher rates than long-term loans. They may also charge additional fees and factor rates, increasing the cost of borrowing. Factor rates are a decimal multiplied by the entire loan amount and are typically used instead of interest rates.
• Small loan amounts. Short-term loans may have lower maximum loan amounts than longer term loans, such as $250,000 or less.
• Frequent payments. Most loans come with monthly payments, but some short-term lenders expect weekly or even daily repayment. These aggressive repayment schedules can make it challenging to manage the loan repayments.

Alternatives to short-term business loans

If a short-term loan isn’t the best option for your business, here are some alternatives:

• Long-term loans. These have repayment periods of 60 months or longer. These are best if you need to lower your monthly payments or finance larger purchases.
• SBA loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration insures these loans. SBA loans offer borrowing limits in excess of $5 million and long repayment terms of 10 or 25 years.
• Merchant cash advances. Merchant cash advances advance you a lump sum of money based on your credit and debit card sales. You then repay the loan based on a percentage of your future sales. Borrowing fees can reach the triple digits with this advance, so you may only want to use it in case of an emergency.
• Crowdfunding. Crowdfunding helps you raise funding for your business, either through one-time donations or by offering rewards or equity in your business to the investors.
• Business credit cards. If you can pay your balance off each month, the best business credit cards let you borrow money without interest charges. Other perks may include sign-up bonuses and rewards for every dollar you spend.

Bottom line

Short-term business loans can help your company take advantage of a business opportunity or come up with funds quickly during a cash crunch. If you need funds quickly and are wanting to get a short-term business loan, look to online lenders. If you have a bit more time, a bank or credit union will likely have cheaper loan options.

Frequently asked questions

• How do short-term business loans work?

  Short-term business loans tend to work like any other loan, giving you cash that you have to repay, plus interest. But these loans are paid off quickly, within three to 24 months. Depending on the lender and type of loan, you may have to repay the loan weekly, biweekly or monthly.

• Is it hard to get a short-term business loan?

  If you’ve been in business for at least six months, have reasonable credit and can show that your business is generating revenue, many online lenders offer short-term loans. Just be ready to provide a personal guarantee when applying for the loan. The personal guarantee backs the loan with your personal assets, reducing the risk to the lender in case you default.

• What is the difference between short- and long-term business loans?

  The main difference between short- and long-term business loans is how long the repayment period is. Short-term loans usually have repayment periods of 24 months or less. Long-term loans have longer repayment periods, often 60 months or longer. Short-term loans also tend to offer higher interest rates than long-term loans, leading to higher borrowing costs. The cost may be worth it if you need funds quickly to cover an immediate need.