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SmartBiz SBA loans review
Last updated:
Get funding for your business up to $5,000,000 with extended repayment terms.
finder.com’s rating: 4.38 / 5.0
★★★★★
- Best for getting quickly matched with SBA lenders and application assistance.
- Pick something else if you want minimal fees.
$30,000
Min. Amount
$5,000,000
Max. Amount
Details
| Product Name | SmartBiz |
|---|---|
| Min. Amount | $30,000 |
| Max. Amount | $5,000,000 |
| Loan Term | 10 to 25 years |
| Min. Credit Score | 650 |
| APR | 4.75% to 7.00% |
| Requirements | 650+ personal credit score, US citizen or permanent resident, 2+ years in business, $50,000+ annual revenue, no outstanding tax liens, no bankruptcies or foreclosures in past 3 years |
Expert review
Review by
Anna Serio
anna.serio@finder.comAnna Serio is a trusted loans expert who's published more than 800 articles on Finder to help Americans strengthen their financial literacy. A former editor of a newspaper in Beirut, Anna writes about personal, student, business and car loans. Today, digital publications like CNBC, Business Insider and The Simple Dollar feature her professional commentary, and she earned an Expert Contributor in Finance badge from review site Best Company in 2020.
Expert review
SmartBiz is a connection service that can help your business find an SBA lender and navigate the SBA financing process. It only works with preferred lenders, which can approve your application without waiting for approval from the SBA. And it can help you fill out paperwork, cutting the process time from months to weeks.
The downside is that you’ll have to pay referral and packaging fees for these services. If your business can’t qualify for an SBA loan or needs funding faster, it can also connect you with non-SBA bank loans.
Finder experts pick SmartBiz as a 2020 best pick for business loans.
Can I get a loan through SmartBiz during the coronavirus outbreak?
Yes, you can still apply for SBA loans and standard bank loans through SmartBiz. Currently, it’s focused on connecting borrowers with SBA 7(a). It previously it helped borrowers apply for a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program, before applications closed on June 30, 2020. SmartBiz can’t help you if you’re looking for an SBA disaster loan, however. You can only apply for disaster loans through the SBA directly.
What are SmartBiz SBA loans?
Through SmartBiz, you can get three different types of SBA loans: commercial real estate loans, debt refinancing and working capital loans. All three are technically SBA 7(a) loans, but can be used for different purposes. Click on the accordions below for more information on each.
How much will a SmartBiz SBA loan cost me?
SmartBiz SBA loans come with APRs from 4.75% to 7% and terms of 10 to 25 years, depending on the product.
It also comes with several fees, depending on the type of loan.
Working capital loans and debt refinancing
- One-time referral fee of no more than 2% of the loan amount
- One-time packaging fee of no more than 2% of the loan amount
- SBA guarantee fee of 2% to 3.75% of the guaranteed portion, depending on the loan amount
- Bank closing fee, typically $450
- Additional third-party report charges may apply
Commercial real estate loans
- One-time referral fee of no more than 0.5% of the loan amount
- One-time packaging fee of no more than 0.5% of the loan amount
- SBA guarantee fee of 2% to 3.75% of the guaranteed portion, depending on the loan amount
- Bank closing costs, typically around $5,000
- Additional third-party report charges may apply
SmartBiz fees are usually deducted from loan proceeds, so you get the net amount when your loan is funded.
You can use the calculator below to calculate how much you’ll pay per month and the total interest cost:
Business loan calculator
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Fill out the form and click on “Calculate” to see your estimated monthly payment.
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$ in principal and $ in interest charged Compare business loans nowHow it works
SBA fees generally depend on the amount you’re borrowing and your loan term. Larger amounts and longer terms come with higher fees. The rate you get depends on factors like your time in business, cashflow history and the credit scores and personal assets of all owners with at least a 20% stake in the company.
Generally, lower fees go to borrowers with better credit, stronger finances and more than the minimum time in business.
What do I need to qualify?
SmartBiz SBA loan eligibility varies by loan amount. In general, you’ll need to have been in business for at least two years and be profitable on your tax returns.
Loans of $30,000 to $350,000
To meet SmartBiz’s minimum requirements for a loan of this amount, you or your business must:
- Have a 650 credit score or higher
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Be over 21
- Have no outstanding tax liens
- Have no bankruptcies or foreclosures in the past three years
- Have no recent charge-offs or settlements
- Be current on all government-related loans, including student loans
Loans of $350,000 to $5 million
Loans of this amount are only available for purchasing commercial real estate. To qualify, you or your business must meet the following requirements:
- Credit score of 675 or higher
- Business must be at least two years old
- All real estate must be at least 51% owner-occupied
- Enough business and personal cash flow to cover all debt payments — with three years of tax returns and interim financial data to prove it
- No delinquencies or default on government loans
Note that the 100% financing option requires a loan payment that does not exceed the current monthly lease expense on a commercial loan.
What do I need to apply?
To apply for an SBA loan with SmartBiz, you’ll need to provide:
- Income tax returns. Personal and business income returns will need to go back three years.
- Personal financial statements. Statements are required for those who own 20% or more of the company.
- Profit and loss statement. You’ll also need to provide your company’s balance sheet.
- Business debt schedule. SmartBiz needs a list of your business’s debt obligations to evaluate your application.
- Proof of collateral. Depending on your loan amount, collateral is the lien on either your business or real estate.
What industries does SmartBiz work with?
SmartBiz does not lend to the following types of businesses:
- Gambling
- Lending
- Life insurance
- Religious teaching organizations
- Political or lobbying organizations
- Mining
- Mortgage servicing
- Real estate development
- Bail bond companies
- Pawn shops
- Private clubs
Generally, SmartBiz only works with industries that are eligible for SBA funding. You can find out if your business makes the cut by reading our guide to SBA loan requirements.
What other types of financing does SmartBiz offer?
In addition to the SBA 7(a) program, SmartBiz offers PPP loans through its partners and non-SBA term loans.
PPP loans
- Loan amounts: Up to $10 million
- Rates: 1% APR
- Terms: 2 years — plus 6 months of deferment
- SBA guarantee: 100%
- Requirements: No more than 500 employees or meet SBA size standards for your industry; nonprofits and faith-based organizations can also qualify
These SBA loans are meant for small businesses that are struggling to stay open during the coronavirus outbreak. You can borrow up to 2.5 times your average monthly payroll costs and could qualify for up to 100% forgiveness, depending on your payroll costs. You’ll pay off the rest of the loan over a two-year term, after repayments kick in.
Non-SBA term loans
SmartBiz can also connect you with its bank partners for non-SBA term loans. This program is designed for small businesses that might not qualify for an SBA loan.
- Loam amounts: $30,000 and $350,000
- Rates: 6.99% to 23.99% APR
- Terms: 2 to 5 years
- Requirements: At least 2 years in business, personal credit score of 640+ for all owners, US citizen or permanent resident, cash flow to support loan repayments, no bankruptcies in the past 3 years or outstanding tax liens
You can apply for both SBA and non-SBA loans with the same application — just indicate that you’re interested in non-SBA funding.
Pros and cons
Here’s how your business can benefit from SmartBiz and why you might want to consider other options.
Pros
- Shortens SBA loan turnaround time
- Spend less time filling out forms
- Prequalify in minutes without affecting your credit
- Non-SBA funding also available
Cons
- Larger loan amounts can take up to 30 days
- Charges packaging and referral fees on top of other SBA loan fees
- Prepayment penalties during first three years of the loan term
See other top business loan options
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Is SmartBiz legit?
Yes, SmartBiz is a legitimate connection service. It doesn’t offer loans itself, but works with lenders that the SBA has worked with enough to earn Preferred Lender status. And it’s transparent about the costs and fees associated with all of its loan products, including non-SBA loans.
Does SmartBiz get good customer reviews?
| BBB accredited | Yes |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | A+ |
| BBB customer reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 28 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,049 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 01 May 2020 |
SmartBiz is well-liked among its borrowers as of May 2020. Customers are pleased with how seamless the SmartBiz team make the SBA loan application process. Many mention they had been frustrated with the hassle of applying and borrowing directly from a bank or other lender, and SmartBiz made it easier.
How do I apply?
- If you’re approved, complete the application by providing information about yourself and your business’s finances, then upload any required documents. You have 10 days to complete this step.
- If you’re applying for a commercial real estate loan, accept a letter of intent so you can start to negotiate the terms of your real estate deal with your property seller or current lender. You’ll also need to coordinate with your SmartBiz relationship manager to set up a valuation of the property.
- Carefully read your loan’s terms carefully before signing the promissory note.
What happens after I apply?
After you apply, wait for your funds to be disbursed. It can take as little as seven days to get your loan after you’ve been approved for debt refinancing or a working capital loan. Commercial real estate loans typically take at least 30 days.
How do repayments work?
SmartBiz SBA loans come with monthly repayments that go directly to your lender — not SmartBiz. You can find the information about when repayments are due in your loan contract. Try to hold off on making extra repayments until you’re at least three years into the loan — otherwise you’ll have to pay a prepayment penalty of up to 5% of the loan balance.
Have any questions? Reach out to your lender as soon as possible by contacting customer service.
Find out how SmartBiz stacks up to other lenders by reading our guide to business loans.
Frequently asked questions about SmartBiz
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