Business debt consolidation can help small business owners roll multiple high-interest balances into one predictable payment with potentially better terms. If you borrowed during higher-rate periods or relied on expensive short-term funding in the past, refinancing now could lower your monthly payments and improve cash flow. Here are some of the best business debt consolidation lenders, organized by category.
Our lending experts analyze dozens of business loan providers to narrow down the best options for business owners. We weigh lenders against 12 key metrics:
Application process
Credit score minimums
Customer service reviews
Eligibility requirements
Extra features
Fees
Funding turnaround times
Lender reputation
Minimum and maximum loan amounts
Products offered
Rates
Willingness to work with risky industries
We also search for lenders that cater to a range of needs, including those that work with bad credit and newer business owners.
How to compare business debt consolidation loans
Here are the top things to keep in mind when comparing business debt consolidation loans:
APRs. With debt consolidation, the goal is to pay off your existing debts with a loan that has a lower rate than your existing loans. Compare multiple lenders and loan types to ensure you get the lowest possible APR.
Repayment terms. When choosing a debt consolidation loan, consider the repayment term. Longer terms typically offer the lowest monthly payments, which can make budgeting easier, but you’ll pay more interest over the long run.
Origination fees. Some lenders charge an origination fee from 0.05% to 10% on their loans, especially if you have lower credit. This fee affects your total APR, so compare APRs across loans, not just the interest rate on offer.
Other fees. Many borrowers complain about “hidden” fees, so be sure to read over your loan agreement to find out if you’re responsible for any prepayment penalties, late fees or monthly admin fees.
Funding times. Funding times can vary widely by lender. Online, alternative lenders tend to have faster turnaround than traditional banks and credit unions. If you need funds immediately, consider a short-term business loan.
Customer support options. Trying to consolidate debt may feel challenging, especially if you have a lot of high-interest loans you’re trying to pay off. Consider a lender with a dedicated support team to walk you through your options.
Customer reviews. When evaluating a lender, it’s a good idea to read reviews on sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to learn about previous customers’ experiences with a company.
What is a business debt consolidation loan, and how does it work?
With a business debt consolidation loan, you pay off multiple existing loans and credit cards with a new loan with better rates or terms. This can manage debt by rolling multiple payments into one and help you pay it off sooner.
The best loans for debt consolidation are term and SBA loans, since they tend to offer the most competitive rates and longest repayment terms. You would apply for these loans just like any other business loan, qualifying based on your business revenue, credit score and time in business.
After the loan is approved and funded, you pay back the loan in fixed payments composed of principal and interest. You may also have the option of paying it off before the term is up, but you’ll need to check whether prepayment penalties apply.
Pros and cons of debt consolidation business loans
Pros
Save on interest. Small business owners may need to take on high-interest debt during the first few years. But once you've established yourself, you could snag a lower interest rate and pay less overall interest with a new business loan.
Lower your monthly payments. If you took out a merchant cash advance or other short-term loan with daily or weekly repayments, taking on a new loan could mean a lower APR and lower monthly payment, which is the best way to preserve cash flow.
Simplify your payments. Instead of having to keep track of and make multiple loan payments every month, debt consolidation allows you to roll all your debt into a single loan and a single repayment every month.
Access more credit. If you have a business credit card or line of credit, consolidating your debt can free up your credit limits. This can be useful for businesses with solid revenue and cash flow, but it also increases the debt your business has to repay.
Boost your credit score. Business debt consolidation may help increase your credit score by showing a positive payment history and restructuring your business debt. But your credit score may take a hit before it gets better.
Cons
Origination fees may apply. Some lenders charge origination fees on their loans, and SBA loans may require a hefty down payment. Prepayment penalties could also apply. Make sure the costs of debt consolidation are worth the benefits.
Total debt won't change. Debt consolidation can make managing your payments easier, but it won't change the amount you owe. Debt consolidation only shifts your creditor, not your outstanding balance.
Potentially higher cost. Lengthening your loan term might lower your monthly payments, but it also increases your loan's total cost. The best debt consolidation loans have a lower interest rate to make your debt more affordable.
Personal guarantee required. Almost every business loan requires a personal guarantee from the owners. This means you're responsible for paying off the debt if your business can't. Make sure your business can afford it before you put your personal finances at risk.
Compare other business debt consolidation loans
Want to see what other options are out there for business debt consolidation? Check out the lenders below:
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked these
What is the Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches 12+ types of business loans across 35+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best business loans for startups loans, you can see how each business loan stacks up against other business loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type.
Here are the most popular types of business loans used for debt consolidation.
Type
Typical loan amounts
Typical term lengths
Long-term loan
$5,000 to $2M
2 to 10 years
Short-term loan
$5,000 to $500,000
1 to 3 years
SBA loan
Up to $5M
6 to 25 years
How to qualify for a business debt consolidation loan
To qualify for a debt consolidation loan, you’ll need to meet the lender’s revenue, credit score and time-in-business requirements. While every lender is different, be prepared to meet the following criteria:
At least one year in business
A personal credit score of 670 or higher
At least $50,000 in annual revenue
Because a new debt consolidation loan is adding to your existing debt load, the lender will need to verify you can handle the new payment based on your revenue and cash flow.
How to apply for a business debt consolidation loan
Applying for a debt consolidation loan is similar to applying for other business loans. You’ll need to prepare your application, compare lenders and ensure your budget can handle the new payment after you consolidate.
Determine the loan amount. Go over your debts and get the total payoff amount for each. The total of all your debts is the amount you need to borrow. Next, calculate the amount you’ll pay with a new loan. If it’s higher than what you’d pay each lender individually, it may not be worth it.
Check your business and personal credit score. Your credit scores determine which lenders you can work with and the APR you’ll qualify for. But even with bad credit, you may still qualify for a debt consolidation loan.
Compare and consult lenders. Banks and larger online lenders are a good place to start your search. Confirm that debt consolidation is an option. Some may restrict businesses from using their funding to pay off other debts.
Gather your documentation. Required documents typically include bank statements, tax returns, financial statements and other documents. You may likely need to provide a personal guarantee as well.
Submit an application. Fill out the full application and upload the required documents or link to your financial accounts. Be sure to review the application for accuracy before submitting to avoid delays in processing. You can check out no or low-doc business loan options if you’d prefer to skip a lengthy application process.
Review and finalize your loan. If you’re approved, review your loan documents and confirm that your loan makes financial sense. It should reduce the total cost or lower your monthly payments. Check for any hidden fees or prepayment penalties.
Where can I find a business debt consolidation loan?
Loans for debt consolidation are available from traditional banks, credit unions and online lenders. While banks and credit unions tend to have the lowest rates — especially if you’re an existing customer — online marketplaces like Lendio, Lendzi and Biz2Credit have multiple lender relationships, which could help you snag a good deal.
How to prequalify for a business loan
Prequalification involves answering a series of questions about yourself and your business to determine your eligibility before you formally apply for a loan.
Here are the general steps:
Visit the lender’s website and fill out the prequalification form.
Provide information about yourself and your business.
View your loan options and compare offers.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options based on your prequalification offers, you can formally apply for a loan with the lender of your choice.
What should I do if I was denied a business debt consolidation loan?
If your application was denied, start by reviewing everything you submitted. Double-check your revenue figures, time in business, outstanding debt amounts and credit information to make sure there weren’t any errors or missing documents. Even small mistakes can affect an approval decision.
If everything appears accurate, contact the lender and ask for specific reasons your application was declined. Before applying again, take steps to address that weakness, such as paying down debt, increasing revenue, bringing on a co-signer or waiting until your business has more operating history.
Alternatives to debt consolidation loan
Taking out a new business loan isn’t the only way to consolidate high-interest business debt. Consider these alternatives:
Personal loan. Some lenders may let you use a personal loan for business expenses. Personal loans aren’t dependent on your business revenue or time in business, making them ideal for newer businesses that may not qualify for a business loan.
Home equity loans or HELOCs. If you own a home with at least 20% equity, a home equity loan or HELOC may be a cheaper borrowing option than a business loan or credit card. But if you can’t keep up with the payments, you could risk losing your home.
Rollover for business startups (ROBS). A ROBS is a strategy that allows your business to access funds in your retirement account without penalty. To qualify, your business must be a C Corp, and it’s recommended to have at least $50,000 in your account. But you could face heavy fines if done incorrectly, so consider hiring a professional if you choose this route.
Frequently asked questions
You can use a business loan to consolidate debt, as long as the lender allows debt refinancing as an approved use of funds. Many term loans and SBA loans can be used to pay off existing business debt, though eligibility requirements and refinancing rules vary by lender and loan type.
Consolidating business debt can be a good idea if you qualify for a lower interest rate or longer repayment term that reduces your total cost or improves cash flow. However, if the new loan carries a higher APR or extends your repayment period significantly, it could increase the overall cost. Review the terms carefully before moving forward.
Start by calculating the total monthly payment required and building it into your budget. You may be able to accelerate repayment by consolidating your debt into a lower-rate loan, cutting nonessential expenses, increasing revenue or making extra principal payments when cash flow allows.
There isn't one "best" debt consolidation company for everyone. The right lender depends on your credit profile, time in business and whether your goal is to lower your interest rate or just simplify payments. Established businesses with strong credit may find the best rates with banks or SBA lenders, while newer or lower-credit businesses may need to consider online or alternative lenders.
Top 10 best business guides
Explore the top business loan guides to help you along your business journey. From information on the best business loans on the market or your best startup loan options, to business loans that require little to no paperwork and more.
Christi Gorbett is a freelance writer with more than eight years of experience and a master's degree in English. She’s created a wide range of content for banks, financial product comparison sites, and marketing companies on topics like small business loans, credit cards, mortgages, retirement planning, lender reviews, and more.
As a former teacher, Christi excels at making complex financial topics accessible and easy to understand. Her interest in finance grew when she returned to the U.S. after living in South Korea for nearly a decade.
This shift was driven by several personal financial challenges: rebuilding her financial base after the move home, starting her own business, and catching up on retirement savings. These experiences deepened Christi’s practical understanding of finance and intensified her interest in the field.
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