Business lenders judge five things: credit score, time in business, monthly revenue, cash flow (existing debt and bank balances) and collateral. The published minimums for each product are in one table below, so you can find your yes before you apply.
Every product below has published minimums. They are floors, not promises — clearing them means you are eligible to be underwritten, not that you are approved. But knowing them tells you exactly which door to knock on first, and stops you burning a week applying for something you cannot qualify for.
| Product | Time in business | Revenue | Credit | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term loan / small business loan | 4+ months | $10K/mo | 660+ | Same day – 3 days |
| Term loan (larger, 2yr programs) | 2+ years | $10K/mo | 660+ | 1–3 days |
| Business line of credit | 6+ months | $10K/mo | 600+ | Same day |
| SBA loan | 2+ years | $120K/yr | 675+ | 30–45 days |
| Equipment financing | None (<2yr capped at $50K) | None | 580+ | A few days |
| Invoice factoring / A/R | — | $500K/yr + $100K in A/R aged ≤90 days | No minimum | 2–5 days |
| Merchant cash advance | 4+ months | $10K/mo | No minimum | Same day |
| Startup funding | None | None | 650+ | Fast |
| Franchise financing | 6+ months | $10K/mo | No minimum | 2–7 days |
| Purchase order financing | None | Confirmed order from a creditworthy customer | No minimum | Same day |
| Bridge loan | 6+ months | $10K/mo | No minimum | Same day |
| Commercial real estate | — | Property-driven | 650+ | ~30 days |
| Investment property | Prior project history required | Property-driven | 650+ | ~20 days |
| Fix & flip | 3+ properties in last 36 months | Deal-driven | Program dependent | Minutes to prequalify |
Credit is the problem. Go down the collateral ladder. Equipment financing at 580. Factoring, purchase order financing and revenue-based products at no minimum. Credit stops mattering as soon as something else secures the deal.
Time in business is the problem. Equipment financing, startup funding and purchase order financing all have no time-in-business minimum. Under two years, equipment approvals are capped at $50,000 — which is still a truck.
Revenue is the problem. Startup funding and equipment financing have no revenue minimum. If you have signed orders but no revenue yet, purchase order financing is built for exactly that.
You clear everything and still got declined. Then it is something in the statements — negative days, existing debits from other funders, or deposits that fell off a cliff last month. Those are fixable, usually within 60–90 days, and worth fixing before reapplying rather than shopping the same file to twelve more lenders.
Most lenders look at five things: personal credit score, time in business, monthly revenue (gross bank deposits), cash flow and existing debt, and any collateral. Published floors vary by product — for example 4+ months in business, $10,000 a month in sales and a 660 FICO for a term loan, or 2+ years and 675+ for SBA. Clearing the floor makes you eligible to be reviewed, not approved.
Lending criteria are the rules a lender uses to decide whether to review, approve and price a business loan: minimum credit score, minimum time in business, minimum revenue, acceptable cash-flow coverage, industry restrictions and collateral. Each product has its own set, which is why a file declined for one product can fit another.
Some products have no time-in-business or revenue minimum: startup funding (published 650+ FICO), equipment financing (published 580 FICO; under two years capped at $50,000) and purchase order financing. They are reviewed on credit, the asset or the order instead of sales history. None of these is a guarantee of approval.
Usually three to six months of business bank statements, a government ID and basic business details. SBA, real estate and larger term loans add tax returns, financial statements and a debt schedule. Startups get product-specific document requests instead of statements they do not have.
Program guidelines shown are our lending partners' published minimums as of September 2026 and can change. They are qualification floors, not an offer. Reviewed and maintained by the Goldspur Capital funding desk. This is general information about commercial finance products, not financial, legal or tax advice for your specific situation.
What an underwriter is actually reading, why two lenders price the same business differently, and the only three numbers you should compare.
Interest rate, factor rate, APR and total cost of capital are four different numbers. Here is how to convert between them and which one to decide on.
A checklist by product. Having these ready is the difference between funding in 24 hours and funding in three weeks.
Free, soft review only, and we will tell you if the right move is to wait a quarter.
Checking your options does not affect your business credit. A soft review only.
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