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BBVA Compass business loans review
Last updated:
Finance the growth of your small business — provided you have time to visit a branch.
finder.com’s rating: 2.0 / 5.0
★★★★★
- Best for established businesses in the healthcare industry.
- Pick something else if you want clear, transparent terms and an online preapproval process.
$100,000
Max. Amount
Expert review
Review by
Aliyyah Camp
aliyyah.camp@finder.comAliyyah Camp is a writer and personal finance blogger who helps readers compare personal, student, car and business loans. Aliyyah earned a BA in communication from the University of Pennsylvania and is based in New York, where she enjoys movies and running outdoors.
Expert review
BBVA isn’t upfront about its loans — which can make it hard to decide if it’s the right option for your business. However, it does offer a long repayment period and solid 0.25% APR discount to businesses in the healthcare industry. And since there’s no set minimum, BBVA may be a good choice if you need flexible financing.
However, you won’t be able to apply online. BBVA requires you to make an appointment to discuss a potential loan — but branches are limited to just seven states. This isn’t an uncommon practice for large banks, but it does mean you won’t be able to quickly apply for preapproval and check your rates against other lenders. And since it isn’t upfront about the costs, it may be hard to determine if working with BBVA is worth the time investment your business will need to make.
Before you visit a branch, compare more business loan options.
How much will this loan cost me?
BBVA offers term loans with predictable monthly payments and decent loan terms — up to five years for most businesses or up to 10 years for businesses in healthcare. Secured and unsecured loans are available, and some businesses may be eligible for a 0.25% discount of their APR. However, BBVA doesn’t list potential rates or how much a business may be able to borrow.
To get an idea of what your loan might cost, you’ll need to reach out to BBVA through email, phone or by visiting a local branch. When we called, a representative said APR typically ranges from 5% to 12% for its fixed-rate term loans. Your business will also have to pay an origination fee, but the exact amount will depend on your loan.
Not sure how much your businesses needs? Before you contact BBVA, use this calculator to determine the terms that would best suit your business.
Business loan calculator
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While BBVA doesn’t provide many details about its loans, the best rates will likely go to established businesses with consistent streams of revenue. If you and your business partners have high personal credit scores, you may also be eligible for a low rate, potentially under 9%. Businesses in the healthcare field and other professional industries may qualify for a 0.25% rate discount on their APR — further helping lower the cost.
Because BBVA is a bank, it will be more difficult to qualify for a loan if you aren’t established and have a low monthly or annual revenue.
What do I need to qualify?
To qualify for a term loan from BBVA, your business will need to meet these basic criteria:
- At least one year in business
- Based in a serviced state
- Good to excellent personal credit
If you’re based in a nearby state and have an open business account with BBVA, you may still qualify for a loan. Check with your closest branch to ensure your business is within its region.
What states does BBVA service?
BBVA has over 700 branches throughout these states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- New Mexico
- Texas
What information do I need to apply?
BBVA doesn’t directly state what information you’ll need to have when you apply, but you can expect to need these documents:
- Proof of annual revenue
- Business plan
- Financial forecasts, including cash flow
A BBVA representative will be able to outline the exact information you need based on your business. Our representative told us that it generally asks for two years of tax returns. So while newer businesses may qualify, there is a preference for established businesses that have been open for at least three years.
What industries does BBVA work with?
BBVA has a preference for businesses in healthcare and other working professionals. However, there is no set list for which industries it will and will not accept. High risk businesses, like those involved in cannabis or adult entertainment, may not be qualified to get a loan.
What other types of financing does BBVA offer?
BBVA has five financing options for businesses, including multiple lines of credit and SBA-backed loans.
| Loan amount | Secured or unsecured? | Purpose | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convenience line of credit | Up to $100,000 | Unsecured | Quickly accessing funds for regular expenses |
| Traditional line of credit | Starting at $10,000 for secured or $100,000 for unsecured | Secured and unsecured lines available | Borrowing for large expenses |
| Commercial real estate loan | $25,000 to 85% loan-to-value (LTV) | Secured | Purchasing equipment and property |
| SBA 7(a) loans | $350,000 to $5 million | Unsecured | Financing working capital, inventory and equipment |
| SBA 504 loans | $2 million to $15 million | Secured | Financing land acquisition, commercial real estate and large equipment |
Pros
- Competitive rates from 5% to 12%
- Loan terms up to 10 years for businesses in healthcare
- Potential rate discount up to 0.25%
- Loan payment assistance plans available
Cons
- No online application process
- Limited to businesses in serviced states
- Few loan details available online
See other top business loan options
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Is BBVA Compass legit?
Yes, BBVA is an FDIC-insured bank with an encrypted website to keep your personal data safe. Like all legit lenders, its privacy policy covers how your information is collected and used online and through its mobile app. You are able to limit the sharing of information by calling its helpline at 800-275-7219.
Does BBVA Compass get good customer reviews?
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | - |
| Trustpilot Score | 1 out of 5 stars, based on 30 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 15 May 2020 |
BBVA receives consistent negative reviews about its customer service and general policies. While the most recent reviews don’t cover their business loan options, customers who took out mortgages and other loans had trouble making payments and managing their accounts.
How do I apply?
You can call or email a branch directly to schedule an appointment or fill out its online contact form with these two simple steps:
- Visit BBVA’s website and navigate to its business term loan option.
- Enter information about yourself, including your contact information and business’s annual revenue.
A BBVA representative will reach out to you by phone or email to discuss your options and help you start the full application process.
What happens after I apply?
You will need to make an appointment with a banker at a local branch to complete your application. BBVA will go over your business’s revenue, finances and future plans, then make a loan decision. If approved, it can take as little as two business days to receive a decision on your loan — but funding times will vary based on the amount you request, collateral provided and other factors.
How do repayments work with BBVA?
Your loan contract should cover any prepayment penalties or other fees associated with your loan along with a repayment schedule. If your business is unable to make payments, BBVA has a few assistance programs that may be able to help. For loans secured by real estate, BBVA may be able to offer forbearance, short sales and loan modification. For loans that aren’t secured by real estate, BBVA offers repayment plans and forbearance.
If you have any questions or problems, you can reach out to your local BBVA banker for help.
Consider these top alternatives to BBVA
BBVA only works with a limited number of states — so your business will need to look elsewhere if you’re not based in its serviced area.
- Regions Bank. Regions makes our top business loans list as the best term loan. Its low minimum and maximum amount — as well as near-nationwide state availability — means Regions is a good alternative for businesses that aren’t able to visit a BBVA branch. But you’ll still need to visit a branch to apply, and customer service may require your Social Security number just to answer some basic questions.
- SmartBiz. SmartBiz is a connection service that specializes in finding your business an SBA loan. You’ll need to have at least two years in business, but SmartBiz can be a good first step if you’re looking for an SBA lender in a state BBVA doesn’t service. And while it has slightly more strict application criteria, it makes our top alternatives by being upfront about the potential costs of borrowing through a lender in its network.
Not sure about BBVA or its alternatives? Compare more business loans to find the right choice for your business.
Business loan ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
We rate business loan providers on a scale of 1 to 5 stars based on factors like transparency, costs and customer experience. We don’t take into account elements like eligibility criteria, state availability or payment frequency — we save that for our reviews.
Read the full methodology of how we rate business loan providers to get a better picture of what goes into each star rating.