Most business loan applications don't get declined - they get stalled. Missing statements, mismatched numbers, a surprise on the credit report the borrower forgot about. The difference between a 24-hour approval and a two-week ordeal is almost always preparation, not qualification.
Here is the complete requirements picture for 2026, product by product, plus the pre-flight checklist that makes underwriters move fast.
The universal baseline (almost every lender)
- Time in business: 6+ months for alternative lenders; 2+ years for banks
- Revenue: $15,000+/month deposited into a BUSINESS bank account (commingled personal accounts are the #1 avoidable red flag)
- Credit: the guarantor's score sets your pricing tier - options exist from ~550, competitive terms from ~660
- An operating business entity: LLC/corp registration, EIN, business license where applicable
Documents by product
| Product | Core documents | Extra requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Working capital | 3-6 mo bank statements, driver's license, voided check | Often that's it - app-only to ~$150K |
| Equipment financing | Bank statements + equipment quote/spec | Serial & lien check on used equipment |
| Floor plan | Dealer license, bond, insurance, statements | Lot/online sales channel verification |
| Factoring | Invoices, customer list, AR aging | Your customers' credit, not yours |
| SBA loans | 2-3 yrs tax returns, financials, business plan | Patience: 30-90 days |
The five silent application killers
Negative-balance days on bank statements. Existing loan stacking you didn't disclose. Recent large unexplained deposits. Tax liens you assumed were resolved. A personal address mismatch with the credit bureau. Every one of these is manageable IF disclosed up front - and a dealbreaker when the underwriter finds it first.
60-Second Funding Check
No credit pull. No obligation. Just a straight answer.
What do you need funding for?
The 48-hour-approval checklist
- Last 6 months of business bank statements, downloaded as PDFs (not screenshots)
- Driver's license, front and back, legible
- Voided business check or bank letter
- Know your numbers: average monthly revenue, existing debt payments, requested amount AND its specific use
- If equipment: the quote or listing with serial/VIN
- Check your own credit first - surprises cost days
We pre-underwrite before lenders see your file
Dealerun specialists review your file the way an underwriter will - and fix the fixable before submission. That's a big part of why our approvals come back in hours: lenders trust clean files from partners who screen. One application, up to $5M, no credit impact to start.
Find out what you qualify for
Two minutes, soft pull only, real answers - including honest ones about what to fix first.
FAQ
Can I get a business loan with only 6 months in business?+
Yes - alternative lenders and equipment financing work from 6 months (sometimes less with strong revenue). Bank products and SBA generally want 2+ years. Your options at 6 months are real; they just price higher than they will at 24.
Do lenders check personal credit for business loans?+
Almost always, for any business that isn't large enough to stand alone. Expect a personal guarantee on most small business products. Checking your options via soft pull first (like Dealerun's process) protects your score while you shop.
How much revenue do I need for a $100K loan?+
Rule of thumb for working capital: lenders fund roughly 70-120% of your monthly revenue. $100K unsecured typically wants $80-120K/month in deposits. Equipment or secured deals can go well beyond that ratio because collateral carries the file.
Get a callback from a funding specialist
Real questions, straight answers - no scripts, no pressure.
No credit impact. We never sell your information.
Ready to put this to work?
See what funding your business qualifies for - it takes two minutes and won't affect your credit.