01. Types of Business Loans
Commercial lending isn't one product — it's a marketplace of products designed for specific business situations. Matching the right product to your situation is the single most important decision in the funding process.
02. How Lenders Evaluate You — The 5 C's
Every commercial lender evaluates loan applications using some version of the 5 C's framework. Understanding each one helps you present your business accurately — and identify gaps before you apply.
Capacity (Cash Flow): Your Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) is the most scrutinized metric. DSCR = Net Operating Income ÷ Total Debt Service. A ratio of 1.25+ signals that your business generates $1.25 for every $1.00 of debt. Below 1.0 means you'd be cash-flow negative on the loan from day one — a near-automatic denial at most lenders.
Credit: Both personal credit (most lenders want 620–680+ FICO) and business credit (Dun & Bradstreet Paydex, Experian Business, Equifax Business) matter. Building your business credit profile is one of the highest-ROI activities any business owner can do — it takes time but permanently improves your access to capital.
BBC Requirement: All loans must vest in an LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, LLP, or Trust. All collateral must be owned by the business entity. Sole proprietors are not eligible for BBC financing.
03. Minimum Qualifying Criteria by Product
| Product | Min. Time in Business | Min. Annual Revenue | Min. Credit Score | Collateral |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue-Based Financing | 6 months | $120K+ | 550+ | None required |
| SBA 7(a) | 2 years | $250K+ | 680+ | May be required |
| Equipment Financing | 1 year | $100K+ | 600+ | Equipment itself |
| Business Term Loan | 1 year | $150K+ | 650+ | Varies |
| Line of Credit | 1 year | $120K+ | 620+ | Varies |
| Invoice Factoring | 3 months | B2B invoices | No minimum | Invoices |
| Bridge / Hard Money | Any | Any | Asset-based | Real estate |
| Merchant Cash Advance | 4 months | $10K/mo+ | 500+ | None required |
04. Documents You'll Need
Most lenders require a standard package. Assembling this in advance dramatically speeds up approval timelines and signals that you're a prepared, professional applicant.
- Last 3–6 months business bank statements — the single most important document for most alternative lenders
- Last 2 years business tax returns — required for SBA and most term loan products
- Last 2 years personal tax returns — required for any personally guaranteed loan
- Year-to-date Profit & Loss statement — shows current revenue and expense trajectory
- Balance sheet — assets, liabilities, and owner equity as of today
- Business formation documents — Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, EIN confirmation
- Government-issued photo ID — for all owners with 20%+ ownership
- Voided business check — for funding disbursement
One Application. 122+ Lending Partners.
BBC submits your profile to our full network simultaneously — you get competitive offers back without applying to lenders one at a time.
Start Free Application →06. Product Decision Matrix
| If you need... | And your situation is... | Best Product |
|---|---|---|
| Fast cash, no collateral | Strong monthly revenue | Revenue-Based Financing |
| Fast cash, credit thin | High card/POS volume | Merchant Cash Advance |
| Equipment purchase | Any credit level | Equipment Financing |
| Lowest rate, long term | 2+ years, strong credit | SBA 7(a) or 504 |
| Flexible working capital | Established business | Line of Credit |
| Real estate | Buying/refinancing property | Commercial Real Estate |
| Pay invoices while waiting | B2B with slow clients | Invoice Factoring |
| Real estate, fast close | Asset-heavy, investor | Bridge / Hard Money |
08. How to Apply Through BBC
BBC operates as a funding marketplace — not a single lender. One application reaches 122+ lending partners across all 9 product categories simultaneously. Here's how it works:
- Submit one application — Takes 5–10 minutes. No hard credit pull to start.
- We match your profile — BBC identifies which lenders and products fit your specific business stage, revenue, credit, and capital need.
- Receive competitive offers — Multiple lenders compete for your business. You choose the best terms.
- Fund in days, not months — Most alternative products fund within 24–72 hours of final approval. SBA products take longer but offer the best long-term terms.
Start Your Free Application Today.
No upfront fees. No hard credit pull to start. Available in 40 states + D.C. Results in 24–48 hours for most products.
Apply Now — It's Free →