Best Business Loans for Fair Credit in 2026

If your credit score falls between 580 and 669, your business loan options are slightly more limited than those with good or excellent credit. However, these lenders offer clear terms and a wide variety of loans to help you finance the next phase of your business.

How we picked these business lenders

These lenders represent some of the more flexible and transparent options available to borrowers with fair credit. To compile our list, we considered the loan types available, minimum and maximum APR, repayment terms and loan amounts.

8 best business loans for fair credit

• Best for online business loans: Fundera business loans
• Best marketplace: Lendio business loans
• Best for microloans: Kiva business loans
• Best for flexible repayments: Rapid Finance small business loans
• Best for large loan amounts: Pinnacle Funding
• Best for businesses with low annual revenue: LendingClub business loans
• Best for SBA loans: SmartBiz business loans
• Best for a business line of credit: Bluevine business lines of credit

Finder Score	Loan amount	Loan term	APR
Best for online business loans
Finder score 9.5 Excellent Fundera business loans	Finder score 9.5 Excellent	$2,500 – $5,000,000	Varies by lender	Varies by lender	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Fundera by NerdWallet is a business loan marketplace that connects small business owners with multiple lenders through a single application. The platform offers access to term loans, SBA loans, lines of credit, equipment financing and more, with loan amounts ranging from $2,500 to $5 million. With a quick online application using only a soft credit check, Fundera has helped over 77,000 small businesses secure more than $5.4 billion in funding. The platform provides dedicated loan specialists for personalized guidance, and funding can be as fast as one business day. Pros & cons Pros Free service Single application connects you with multiple lenders Soft credit check won't impact credit score Fast funding possible within 24 hours Cons Rates and fees aren't disclosed upfront Not a direct lender, terms set by partners Limited network compared to larger marketplaces
Best marketplace
Finder score 9.6 Excellent Lendio business loans	Finder score 9.6 Excellent	$1,000 – $10,000,000	Varies by lender	Varies by lender	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Lendio has a network of more than 75 lenders with 11 different financing options. This network gives borrowers the opportunity to compare multiple solutions with a single application, and it accepts credit scores as low as 580. But some of its financing options are pricey, and you may have to pay an origination fee to some lenders. Plus, marketplaces in general can lead to a lot of solicitation. Pros & cons Pros Network of 75+ lenders Wide range of business loan options Poor credit accepted Cons Some loans are expensive May charge origination fees May receive marketing material from lenders
Best for microloans
Finder score 7.4 Great Kiva business loans	Finder score 7.4 Great	$1,000 – $15,000	6 months to 3 years	0%	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Kiva doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement, which makes it a good choice for business owners who may be on the lower end of fair credit. It also doesn't charge interest or fees. But you will need a sizable social network to make the most out of its crowdfunding system. Because of this, it may take over a month to raise your loan funds. Pros & cons Pros No interest or fees No minimum credit requirement No minimum revenue requirement Cons Turnaround of up to 45 days Low maximum loan amount Qualifying depends on social network
Best for flexible repayments
Finder score 7.5 Great Rapid Finance small business loans	Finder score 7.5 Great	$5,000 – $1,000,000	Varies by loan type	Not stated	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If your credit is fair and your business accepts debit and credit card payments, a merchant cash advance from Rapid Finance may be a good option. It provides MCA funding up to $500,000 and has a flexible repayment structure based on a percentage of your future sales. But it doesn't list rates or fees on its website, and, in general, MCAs are one of the most expensive forms of business financing. It also doesn't list its revenue and credit requirements, so you may want to call before you apply to be sure you qualify. Pros & cons Pros Flexible repayment plans Generally accepts fair credit Funding up to $500,000 Cons Doesn't disclose rates and fees MCAs are typically expensive Doesn't list revenue requirements
Best for large loan amounts
Finder score 9.9 Excellent Pinnacle Funding	Finder score 9.9 Excellent	$10,000 – $5,000,000	6 to 24 months	Varies by loan type	Go to site View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Pinnacle Funding offers term loans of up to $5 million, and it accepts credit scores as low as 525, making it a solid choice for businesses with less-than-perfect credit that need a large influx of capital. It also only requires at least six months in business, there's no hard credit check and you could get funded in as fast as 24 hours. But it doesn't disclose rates and fees on its website, and loan terms are relatively short for such large loans. Pros & cons Pros Loans up to $5 million Low credit score requirement No hard credit check Cons Doesn't disclose rates and fees No longer terms offered
Best for businesses with low annual revenue
Finder score 9 Excellent LendingClub business loans	Finder score 9 Excellent	$5,000 – $250,000	12 to 60 months	12.15% to 29.97%	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Unlike many other lenders, LendingClub only requires businesses to have an annual revenue of $50,000 — or around $4,000 a month. This leniency allows newer businesses with limited revenue to qualify. It provides access to small business loans through its partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF), up to $250,000, and it's an SBA preferred lender with loans as high as $15 million. But its maximum rate is on the high side, and it may charge origination fees. AOF also requires collateral or a blanket lien on its loans over $50,000. Pros & cons Pros Only requires $50,000 in annual revenue Get funds in just a few days Accepts fair credit Cons May charge origination fees Relatively long turnaround for an online lender Requires a lien or collateral on loans over $50,000
Best for SBA loans
Finder score 9 Excellent SmartBiz business loans	Finder score 9 Excellent	$50,000 – $350,000	Up to 10 years	Prime Rate, plus 3% to 5.75%	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it SmartBiz speeds up the SBA application process by streamlining the information you need to provide. By working with multiple banks and online lenders, it may take just a week or two to get funding — rather than the normal multi-month waiting period. Prequalification takes just a few minutes, and rates start as low as the prime rate plus 3%. But you'll need to borrow at least $50,000, and the process isn't free. Smartbiz charges closing costs and a packaging fee, and there's also an SBA guarantee fee if you're approved. Pros & cons Pros Compare regular bank loans and SBA loans May cut weeks out of SBA loan turnaround time Simplified online application Cons Charges packaging fees and closing costs No loans under $50,000 Funding not as fast as some options
Best for a business line of credit
Finder score 8.6 Great Bluevine business lines of credit	Finder score 8.6 Great	$5,000 – $250,000	Not listed	Not listed	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Bluevine has a business line of credit up to $250,000, and it accepts borrowers with fair credit. The application process is quick and easy, funding is possible as soon as the same day and rates start at a very competitive 7.8%. It also offers term loans and SBA funding through its lending partners. But rates can get high if your credit isn't the best, and you'll typically have to make weekly payments. Plus, there's a small fee for same-day funding if you don't have a Bluevine business checking account, and loan terms are shorter than some, with a maximum of 12 months. Pros & cons Pros Starting rates are very competitive Flexible credit and revenue requirements Same-day funding available Cons Rates can be high for fair credit Short terms of up to 12 months Typically requires weekly repayments

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Summary of best business loans for fair credit

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Finder Score	Min. Amount	Max. Amount	APR	Requirements
Promoted Finder score 9.9 Excellent Pinnacle Funding	Finder score 9.9 Excellent	$10,000	$5,000,000	Varies by loan type	525 credit score, 6+months in business, $180,000+ annual revenue	Apply in minutes with funding as fast as 24 hours and zero impact to your credit score.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder score 9.5 Excellent Fundera business loans	Finder score 9.5 Excellent	$2,500	$5,000,000	Varies by lender	$60,000+ of annual revenue, 600+ personal credit score, in business for 6+ months	Get connected with short-term funding, SBA loans, lines of credit and more.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder score 9.5 Excellent Lendzi	Finder score 9.5 Excellent	$5,000	$20,000,000	Varies by lender	Minimum credit score of 500, minimum annual revenue of $120,000, preferably one to two years in business	Compare lending options and get funded fast.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 8.8 Great PayPal LoanBuilder	Finder score 8.8 Great	$5,000	$300,000	Fixed fee (amount not disclosed)	Minimum credit score not disclosed, 9+ months in business, at least $33,300 in annual revenue	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.6 Excellent Lendio business loans	Finder score 9.6 Excellent	$1,000	$10,000,000	Varies by lender	Operate business in US for 6 months or more, have a business bank account, minimum 520 personal credit score, at least $8,000 in monthly revenue.	Submit one simple application to potentially get offers from a network of over 75 legit business lenders.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 8.9 Great Best Money	Finder score 8.9 Great	$5,000	$5,000,000	Varies by lender	Depends on the lender	Apply in minutes. Get funded fast.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.6 Excellent Advance Funds Network	Finder score 9.6 Excellent	$10,000	$5,000,000	Varies by lender	6 months in business, at least $10,000 in monthly revenue	A range of funding options for your business	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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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.

Read the full breakdown

Where can I find a lender that accepts fair credit?

If you have fair credit, you may be able to qualify for a business loan from a variety of lenders.

Online lenders

Online lenders offer lots of flexibility for fair-credit borrowers, from standard term loans to more specialized short-term options.

• Offer term loans, lines of credit and short-term products like invoice financing, invoice factoring and merchant cash advances.
• Some rates can be comparable to those of traditional banks.
• Usually have lower credit score requirements than banks.
• More lenient approval criteria can make qualifying easier.
• Easy to compare multiple lenders since everything happens online.

Banks

Some banks accept fair-credit borrowers — especially if you already have an established credit history.

• Examples include Regions and PNC.
• Tend to offer lower rates and more personalized guidance.
• Often require a checking account or an in-person branch visit to apply.
• Stricter eligibility rules compared to online lenders.
• Application and approval process is usually slower.

Credit unions

Credit unions offer business loans with competitive rates and more flexible requirements than many banks.

• Commonly offer term loans, with some offering additional products.
• Still require you to meet a minimum credit score.
• Some applications still require visiting a branch, though more are moving online.
• Must become a member before you can access most financing options.

How do I get a business loan with fair credit?

You can improve your chances of approval by keeping these points in mind:

1. Develop a business plan. You should be able to demonstrate why you need funding through a strong business plan. It should show a lender how you will use the funds and the direction of your business.
2. Check your credit. If there are any mistakes on your credit report, you should have them fixed before applying for a business loan — especially if your payment history is incorrect.
3. Gather your paperwork. Lenders want to see tax returns and proof of revenue at a minimum. Each application process is different, but you can check with your lenders to ensure you have the documents you need before you apply.
4. Pick the right time. If you can, apply during your busy season when you have a few months of strong revenue, which will show the lender that your business is doing well.
5. Prequalify, if possible. Not all lenders offer a prequalification option. But if you can, check your rates with your top choices to avoid a hit to your credit.

Once you have a few prequalification offers, compare the APR, payment schedule and terms to choose the best choice for your business.

6 alternatives to fair credit business loans

These alternatives won’t fault you for having fair credit. But some choices can be expensive for businesses with low revenue.

• Short-term business loans. Short-term business loans are an expensive alternative to term loans. However, borrowers with fair credit may qualify for lower rates. So, if you don’t qualify for a traditional term loan, a short-term business loan could be a good alternative.
• Rollover for business startups (ROBS). You can invest your retirement funds into your business without penalty — provided you have at least $50,000 in savings. But they’re complicated, so you may want to enlist the help of an experienced professional.
• Equity financing. Equity financing involves selling partial ownership of your company to an investor. This can take multiple forms, but if you sell at least 20%, your investor’s good credit could improve your chances of qualifying for a business loan later.
• Grants. There are federal, state and private grants available to businesses that work in underserved communities. Your credit score won’t matter since you don’t have to repay your grant funds.
• Business credit cards. These can be used to finance smaller purchases if your business can handle the high APR. There are even business credit cards for owners with fair credit that may be easier to qualify for.
• Personal loans. As a last resort, personal loans for fair credit may be easier to qualify for than business loans. These won’t offer the best rates, but you can often use them to finance your business.

What should I do if I was denied a business loan?

Your lender should provide information on why you weren’t approved for a loan. Revisit your application and ensure neither you nor your lender made any mistakes.

If everything is correct, review the reason the lender rejected you. Even if you meet a lender’s minimum credit requirements, your business’s revenue and financial history may not meet the lender’s standards.

Rework your application and business plan to suit the feedback you received. If the problem is with your revenue, sales or other metrics, consider alternative sources of financing. Short-term business loans, personal loans or business credit cards may be easier to qualify for.

Bottom line

Fair credit won’t stop you from qualifying with a variety of business lenders. But you should still explore the full range of options to ensure you’re making the right financial move for your business.

Frequently asked questions

• What's the easiest business loan to get with bad credit?

  If your credit is very poor, options like invoice factoring and MCAs are typically easier to qualify for. Lenders that provide those are typically more concerned with your cash flow and other business financials than your credit score.

• Can I get a $1 million business loan with fair credit?

  It depends. Getting a million-dollar business loan can be difficult if you don't have great credit, but it's not impossible. For example, if you have a well-established business with strong revenues, you might be able to qualify even with a lower credit score.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Megan B. Shepherd as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Lacey Stark

Writer

Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20 years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and likes to read and play golf. See full bio