Finder experts pick Lendio as a 2020 best pick for business loans.
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Lendio online business loan marketplace review
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Submit one online simple application to potentially get offers from a network of over 75 legit business lenders.
finder.com’s rating: 4.79 / 5.0
★★★★★
It takes work to narrow down and compare your financing options, but Lendio can help. With its network of lenders, all you need to do is fill out a quick application to see one or more lenders that could fund your business. But if you have poor credit, you might not get a great late with your business loan.
$500
Min. Amount
$5,000,000
Max. Amount
Details
| Product Name | Lendio |
|---|---|
| Min. Amount | $500 |
| Max. Amount | $5,000,000 |
| Loan Term | 1 to 25 years |
| Requirements | Operate a business in the US or Canada, have a business bank account and have a personal credit score of 675+. |
First, do I qualify to use Lendio?
Eligibility requirements vary by the lender you’re ultimately connected with, but most require that
- You operate a business in the US or Canada
- You have a valid business bank account
- You have a credit score of 560 or higher
- You’re at least 18 years old
- You’re a citizen or permanent resident of the US or Canada
What makes Lendio unique?
Lendio’s customer service and short, easy application make it a standout among similar marketplaces. Its loan-connection service slashes the time it takes for busy small business owners to find the right loan by taking on most of the heavy lifting in the form of a vetted network of competitive small business lenders. It also promises quick funding, sometimes in Up to 1 business day .
What exactly is Lendio’s online business loan marketplace?
Lendio offers a business loan connection service. Unlike a direct lender, Lendio doesn’t finance any loan products. Instead, it helps connect you to a range of loans through its vetted network of more than 75 online business lenders.
It’s free to apply. If you ultimately accept a loan offer and receive the funds, Lendio is paid an origination fee based on the loan type and amount.
12 types of financing through Lendio
Through Lendio, you could be connected to a wide range of business financing options.
- Lines of credit. Like a credit card, lines of credit provide continual access to cash up to a credit limit. Businesses often use them to cover unexpected expenses in an off-season or over an ongoing project.
- SBA loans. This is a low-interest loan option backed by the Small Business Administration and designed to help small businesses and select startups. It has low rates because the government agrees to step in if you default, making risky businesses less of a lending liability.
- Short-term loans. Designed to help businesses find a quick fix for emergency expenses, these loans can get you money quickly. They might be better as a last resort, however: You could end up with weekly or even daily repayments and high interest rates.
- Term loans. Your standard loan option best for one-time large expenses, fixed-term loans have a set repayment period of several years and larger loan amounts.
- Merchant cash advances. Get an advance on your company’s future sales in exchange for a percentage of each sale you make until the advance is repaid with interest.
- Credit cards. A business credit card is one of your more flexible financing options that allow you to cover any business expense with a swipe. You’ll have a credit limit and can pay it back quickly or over a period of time, but interest accrues the longer you keep a balance.
- Equipment financing. Secure your loan with the equipment you’re purchasing in exchange for better rates.
- Commercial mortgages. These are similar to equipment loans, but with the real estate offered as collateral instead.
- American Express merchant financing. This option allows businesses that accept American Express to get a better rate for merchant financing, but it comes with automatic daily repayments.
- Accounts receivable financing. Also called invoice factoring, accounts receivable financing allows you to sell your unpaid invoices for a percentage of their value. You’ll get an advance from a lender on what your client owes you, and then the lender will collect the full invoiced amount directly from the client.
- Startup loans. Lendio helps startups navigate financing options suitable for a new, growing business — without selling equity.
- Business acquisition loans. Buy or refinance a new business or franchise with these loans, which are commonly SBA 7(a) loans.
Compare more business loan providers
Updated March 30th, 2020
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How can using Lendio’s marketplace benefit my business?
- Solid customer support. Nearly all of Lendio’s online reviews praise its customer service above all else. After applying, you’ll have a funding manager walk you through the process and explain your loan offers.
- Saves you time. Time is money, and Lendio can save you a lot of it by connecting you to its vetted network of business lenders.
- Quick turnaround. Lendio claims it can find you funding in as little as 24 hours after you submit your application.
- Plentiful loan options. Lendio is a one-stop business loan marketplace that may help you find an option best for your business’s needs. Its network of lenders offers 12 different types of financing.
- Easy to use. Clear and upfront about what it offers, Lendio’s site is designed to anticipate your questions.
What to watch out for
Lendio turns a profit through fees and partnerships with small business loan providers. You’ll typically find a lot of options, but Lendio’s network is a closed marketplace — which means you might not always get the best deal out there.
Here are five potential drawbacks of borrowing through Lendio:
- You’re limited to its network. Its pool of providers offers more lenders than most competitors. Still, you may want to weigh your offers against direct lenders to find the best deal you’re eligible for.
- Pay-per-lead business model. Lenders pay Lendio a fee each time they get a client through its network. It’s possible that you could qualify for a lender to satisfy a sale and not because it’s in your best interest.
- Poor credit can result in high rates. This is true for most lenders, but it bears repeating when a service’s credit requirements are low or nonexistent.
- Only connecting is free. Lendio did away with a $99 monthly subscription in 2011. You’ll pay an origination fee on any loan you get, which goes to Lendio. And you won’t know what that origination fee is until you finalize the loan offer.
- Lenders can access your personal info. Lendio conducts a soft pull on your credit and can give its partners access to your personal details after you apply. A soft pull doesn’t harm your credit score, but lenders may use the information from your credit report to market to you long after you’ve gotten a business loan.
Is Lendio’s online business loan marketplace safe to use?
Yes. More than 1,000 Trustpilot reviewers give Lendio an average 9.4 out of 10, and 87% rate it as “Excellent.” And though it’s not accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it still has an A+ rating.
As far as online complaints go, bad experiences appear to be rare. The only red flags we saw were a handful of customers who say a Lendio-affiliated lender pulled a hard credit check without their knowledge. There’s also a chance that Lendio will give your information to lenders without being completely upfront about it.
What about Lendio’s website?
Lendio uses SSL technology to encrypt your sensitive personal and financial details during credit card transactions and any time you enter this info on its site. What’s more, its privacy policy — like most of its site — is in plain English, making it easy to understand and follow.
Am I eligible?
To apply through Lendio, you need to meet a few basic requirements.
- You’re a citizen or legal resident of the US or Canada. Some also require that your business primarily operate in the US or Canada.
- You have a business bank account. Lenders need a place to deposit your money, after all.
- You have a credit score of at least 560. Lendio can find you a bad-credit business financing, sure. But you might want to first improve your credit to avoid obscenely high rates.
How do I apply?
- Click the Go to site button on this page to head straight to Lendio’s application form. Enter the amount you need, how long you’ve been in business, how much your business brings in monthly and your general credit score. Then click See Your Options.
- Review loan options you could potentially qualify for. If you like what you see, click Start Application.
- Fill in your personal information to create an account, carefully read the terms of your application and click Continue.
- After you’ve set up your account, a Lendio funding manager will be in touch to go over your options and help you find the best one for your business.
- Carefully weigh each lender before making a decision, reading and understanding your loan’s terms and conditions before signing a contract. You could receive your money in as few Up to 1 business day — though many loans take longer.
Lendio’s intuitive application lets you save your progress, so you won’t have to fill it out all in one go. Be aware that by setting up an account, you’re consenting to Lendio giving your contact information to its partners.
What documents do I need to apply?
Because Lendio isn’t a lender, it doesn’t require any specific documentation requirements itself. However, if you’re connected to one of its partners, you may need to provide:
- Government-issued ID. This could be your driver’s license or passport.
- Business and tax returns for the past three years. You might want to gather this ahead of time for convenience.
- Personal tax returns for the past three years. If you don’t have them on hand, request copies from the IRS.
I got a business loan through a lender. Now what?
It’s time to start paying it back. To avoid missing payments, see if you can set up autopay from your business’s bank account. And if you face unexpected financial problems that could affect your repayments, contact your lender immediately to work out a possible solution.
Bottom line
For the short-staffed business without the time or resources to find a solid business loan option, Lendio might be a way to find a lender that offers the right financial product that fits your needs. But prepare to make some compromises, like allowing the distribution of your personal information to lenders or limiting your options to only those in Lendio’s network.
To get the best deal you’re eligible for, compare a full suite of business lenders before settling on one. And if you like Lendio but aren’t quite sure, you can also browse marketplaces like Lendio to see which option might best suit your business.
Frequently asked questions
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.