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EQ FUNDING · BLOG

How businesses
actually get funded.

Practical guides to business loans, SBA financing, lines of credit, and equipment financing — how qualification actually works, what each option costs, and how to get funded faster.

Getting Funded
Financial Ratios Banks Use to Underwrite a Revolving Credit Line
The ratios banks compute before approving a revolving line of credit: coverage, leverage, liquidity and turnover, with a worked example and what to fix.
9 min readRead →
Financing Equipment From Multiple Vendors on One Loan or Lease
How one equipment loan or lease can cover several vendors: schedules, vendor invoices, deposits, staggered delivery dates, soft costs and a worked example.
9 min readRead →
If a Bank Declines Your SBA Loan, Should You Try Another Lender?
What a decline from one SBA lender means, how to read the adverse action notice, when SBA reconsideration applies, and how to reapply elsewhere.
9 min readRead →
EQ Funding Is Now in ChatGPT and Claude
EQ Funding now works inside ChatGPT and Claude. See which lenders fit your business, what they ask for, and apply with your answers filled in.
5 min readRead →
How to Find Business Lenders With ChatGPT and Claude Apps
How ChatGPT apps and Claude connectors find business lenders that fit, how to add EQ Funding's app, and what to keep out of any AI chat.
9 min readRead →
Open Banking and Business Loans: What Lenders See in Your Account
What lenders see when you connect a business bank account for a loan, a worked NSF and stacking example, how to revoke access, and US and Canada rules.
9 min readRead →
How Fast Can Invoice Factoring Fund the First Time?
How fast invoice factoring funds a first advance versus repeat invoices: the setup steps, bank cutoffs, a payroll timeline and a document checklist.
9 min readRead →
Is It Worth Using an SBA Loan Broker? Fees and SBA Rules
What SBA loan brokers and packagers may charge, how SBA Form 159 discloses it, who pays, and how a broker compares with Lender Match or a lender.
9 min readRead →
Loan Types
SBA CAPLines vs. a Conventional Bank Line of Credit: How to Pick
SBA CAPLines and conventional bank lines of credit compared on eligibility, collateral, guarantees, fees, term and cost, with a rule for choosing.
9 min readRead →
Accounts Receivable Line of Credit: The Borrowing Base Formula
How a lender turns receivables and inventory into a borrowing base: ineligibles, advance rates, net 60 terms, SBA CAPLine rules and a worked example.
9 min readRead →
Factoring vs Asset-Based Lending vs a Credit Line for Distributors
Compare invoice factoring, asset-based lending and a bank line of credit for a growing distributor, with worked availability, cost and crossover math.
8 min readRead →
$1 Buyout vs. FMV Equipment Lease: Differences and How to Choose
How a $1 buyout lease and an FMV lease differ on payments, end-of-term options, tax and balance sheet treatment, with a full-term cost example.
8 min readRead →
What Is a Merchant Cash Advance? Cost, Holdback, and Risks
How a merchant cash advance works: factor rates, holdback, reconciliation, and the true effective APR — plus a worked example and safer alternatives.
8 min readRead →
Spot Factoring: Financing One Invoice at a Time
How spot (selective) factoring works, what it costs, when it beats whole-ledger factoring, and when per-invoice minimums make it expensive.
7 min readRead →
Heavy Equipment Financing Rates, Terms & Down Payments
What heavy equipment financing really costs in 2026: how rates are set, typical terms by asset, and down payments for new, used, auction, and private-party deals.
8 min readRead →
Used Equipment Financing Rates and Requirements
How used-equipment financing rates are set, what lenders inspect, realistic down payments and terms, plus payment examples for older machinery.
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Costs & Comparisons
Should a Small Business Pay Cash or Use Equipment Financing?
Pay cash or finance equipment? One $80,000 purchase worked both ways: cash reserve, after-tax interest, a revenue-dip stress test and Section 179 rules.
9 min readRead →
SBA 7(a) Loan Prepayment Penalty: When It Applies, What It Costs
SBA's 7(a) prepayment fee covers loans of 15 years or more in the first three years. See the 5%, 3% and 1% math on a 25-year loan and how to plan around it.
8 min readRead →
SBA Loan or Equity Investor? What a Business Expansion Costs
SBA loan or equity investor for a business expansion? Compare payments, guaranties, dilution and control, with a $1,000,000 example priced both ways.
9 min readRead →
Lease or Buy Delivery Vans? Small Business Fleet Tax and Resale
Lease or buy delivery vans for a small business fleet? A three-van cost example, 2026 Section 179 and weight rules, lease deductions and resale value.
8 min readRead →
The Formula for the Annualized Cost of Invoice Factoring
The formula for the annualized cost of invoice factoring, with worked examples for one invoice and for $100,000 of monthly invoices over a year.
9 min readRead →
SBA 504 Loan vs Conventional Commercial Mortgage: Pros and Cons
SBA 504 loan vs conventional commercial mortgage: down payment, LTV, rates, fees and prepayment compared, with one $2,000,000 building priced both ways.
8 min readRead →
Merchant Cash Advance vs. Working Capital Line of Credit: Pros and Cons
How a merchant cash advance and a working capital line of credit compare on cost, repayment and risk, with a $50,000 example and CFPB, FTC and SBA rules.
9 min readRead →
Freight Factoring Rates: What Affects a Trucking Company's Fee
How freight factors price a load: advance rate, flat or tiered fee, recourse terms, broker credit and add-on fees, plus one load's math and a quote checklist.
8 min readRead →
By Use Case
Does a Franchise Need to Be on the SBA Franchise Directory?
A franchise must be on the SBA Franchise Directory for a 7(a) or 504 loan. How to check a brand, what to do if it's missing, and which program fits.
8 min readRead →
Using Invoice Factoring to Fund a Large New Contract: Pros, Cons
Factoring pays for the wait after you invoice, while start-up costs need another source. See the margin math at 30, 60 and 90 days and the peak cash gap.
9 min readRead →
Risks of Using a Line of Credit to Cover Payroll in Slow Months
When a revolving line of credit for slow-month payroll is normal use, the warning signs lenders watch, cleanup and renewal rules, and a repayment plan.
9 min readRead →
Line of Credit vs. Term Loan for an Equipment Purchase
Should a line of credit or a term loan pay for equipment? One $120,000 purchase run three ways, plus liens, down payments, Section 179 and SBA rules.
8 min readRead →
SBA 7(a) Commercial Real Estate Loan Terms: 25 Years, Down Payment
Current SBA 7(a) rules for owner-occupied commercial real estate: 25-year terms, down payment, rate caps and fees, plus a 20-year cost model against a 504.
9 min readRead →
Best Financing Options for Buying a New Skid Steer, Compared
Compare dealer, bank, credit union, online lender and SBA options for financing a new skid steer, with a side-by-side table and a worked payment example.
9 min readRead →
SBA Loans for an Equipment Purchase: 7(a) vs 504 vs Express
Compare SBA 7(a), 504 and Express loans for an equipment purchase: limits, terms, rates and down payments from SBA rules, plus a $475,000 worked example.
8 min readRead →
SBA 504 Loans for Commercial Real Estate: The Full Playbook
How the SBA 504 capital stack works for buying or building commercial real estate: occupancy rules, eligible costs, timing, and a full project example.
8 min readRead →
By Industry
Freight Factoring Fuel Advances and Fuel Cards: Small Fleet Math
How freight factoring fuel advances and factor fuel cards work, what they cost, and what a five-truck fleet nets after fees, with the math shown.
8 min readRead →
Medical Equipment Financing for Practices: MRI and Laser Lenders
Which lenders and companies finance MRI, laser and therapy equipment for practices, how each treats installation and build-out, and how to compare offers.
9 min readRead →
Construction Factoring for Subcontractors: Progress Billing, Retainage
How construction factoring works for subcontractors: which pay apps factors buy, how retainage is treated, and what to ask about pay-when-paid and liens.
8 min readRead →
Semi Truck Financing: Minimum Credit Score for New Owner-Operators
Semi truck financing has no single minimum credit score. See how lenders weigh score bands, truck age, down payment and experience for new owner-operators.
9 min readRead →
New Dental Practice Equipment Financing With No Business History
How a new dental practice gets equipment financing with no business history: what lenders weigh, SBA start-up rules, deferral costs and documents.
9 min readRead →
Equipment Financing Requirements for a New Restaurant
What lenders check when a restaurant under two years old finances a hood, walk-in or cooking line: time in business, revenue, credit, documents and SBA rules.
8 min readRead →
Tractor Financing Down Payment: What Percentage Lenders Want
How much lenders want down on a tractor or farm implement, how dealer, bank, FSA and FCC rules differ, and a worked $120,000 example.
8 min readRead →
Staffing Agency Factoring Requirements for Weekly Payroll
What factors check before funding a staffing agency's payroll, how advances and reserves cover net 45 clients week by week, and the documents to prepare.
9 min readRead →
By Situation
Equipment Loan Declined for Limited Time in Business: Next Steps
Equipment loan declined for limited time in business? How to get the lender's reasons, which changes help a second application and when to wait.
9 min readRead →
Financing Options for a Pre-Revenue Startup With Signed Contracts
What a startup with signed contracts but no revenue can pursue: PO financing, contract lines, SBA CAPLines and factoring, plus what lenders check.
9 min readRead →
Fastest Way to Get Funding for a Replacement Refrigerated Truck
The fastest ways to fund an emergency replacement refrigerated truck, ranked by speed and cost, with a day-by-day timeline, documents and USDA options.
9 min readRead →
Can You Get Equipment Financing With a Tax Lien or Bankruptcy?
How equipment lenders treat a tax lien, an IRS installment agreement and a discharged bankruptcy, plus SBA rules, a document list and a landscaping example.
9 min readRead →
Net Loss Last Year, Growing Revenue: Can You Get an SBA Loan?
How SBA lenders read a tax return that shows a net loss: EBITDA add-backs, debt service coverage minimums, interim results, projections and documents.
9 min readRead →
Financing Used Equipment: Private Seller or Auction vs. Dealer
How lender approval changes when you buy used equipment from a private seller or at auction: lien search, appraisal, paying the seller and deadlines.
9 min readRead →
SBA Loan Eligibility With Past Tax Liens or an Old Bankruptcy
How SBA rules treat an old bankruptcy, tax liens, unpaid federal taxes and IRS payment plans, what Form 1919 asks, and the paperwork to bring.
9 min readRead →
Dump Truck Financing With Bad Credit: Options Near a 590 Score
What dump truck financing looks like with bad credit near a 590 score: lender options, SBA rules, steps to strengthen your file and a total-cost comparison.
9 min readRead →
Credit & Strategy
How Equipment Lenders Evaluate Your Business Bank Statements
How equipment lenders evaluate business bank statements: average daily balance, deposits, NSF items and existing debits, with a worked sample month.
9 min readRead →
Should You Open a Business Line of Credit Before You Need It?
Should you open a business line of credit before you need it? See the yearly cost of an idle line, the pros and cons, and a five-question test.
9 min readRead →
When to Stop Factoring and Move to a Bank Line of Credit
Signs you're ready to leave factoring for a bank line of credit, where asset-based lending fits, the cost math and a 6 to 12 month switch plan.
9 min readRead →
When Does It Make Sense to Refinance an Equipment Loan?
When refinancing an equipment loan pays off, a break-even calculation with payoff costs, and the SBA 7(a) debt refinancing rules as of October 2026.
8 min readRead →
SBA Loan Personal Guarantee Rules: Who Signs at 20% Ownership
Who must personally guarantee an SBA loan under the 20% ownership rule, when owners under 20% or spouses sign, and how full and limited guarantees differ.
8 min readRead →
How to Request a Business Line of Credit Increase and When to Ask
When to ask your lender for a higher business credit line, what gets re-underwritten, hard pull questions, a request checklist and what to do after a no.
8 min readRead →
Unsecured Business Line of Credit: What Score Do You Need?
What credit score an unsecured business line of credit takes, how banks, credit unions and online lenders weigh it, and what offsets a score near 620.
8 min readRead →
What Happens When a Business Violates a Line of Credit Covenant
What happens when a business breaks a line of credit covenant: lender options, waivers, amendments, cure periods, SBA note terms and a step-by-step fix plan.
8 min readRead →
Guides
Bank-Owned, Independent or Fintech Factoring Companies Compared
Bank-owned, independent and fintech factors compared by who regulates them, what they must disclose and three sample offers for a $3 million manufacturer.
9 min readRead →
What to Include in a Business Plan for an SBA Microloan
What to include in a business plan for an SBA microloan application: SBA's plan sections, the statements microlenders ask for and a $35,000 example.
9 min readRead →
What Is an MCP Server? A Small Business Owner's Guide
An MCP server lets ChatGPT or Claude use outside tools and data. What it means for a small business, read vs write access and a checklist before you connect.
9 min readRead →
How Invoice Factoring Affects Customer Relationships
What customers see when you factor invoices, what a notice of assignment letter should say, a script for key accounts and terms that keep you in control.
8 min readRead →
How to Avoid Predatory Terms in an Online Business Line of Credit
A contract checklist for online business lines of credit: factor rates, daily debits, blanket liens, confessions of judgment and state APR disclosure rules.
8 min readRead →
What Happens When a Customer Disputes an Invoice After Factoring
What happens when a customer disputes a factored invoice: UCC 9-404 and 9-406 rules, reserves, chargebacks, non-recourse limits and clauses to check.
8 min readRead →
How to Calculate the Payback Period on an Equipment Purchase
Calculate equipment payback with the formula, cash and financed examples, tax write-off effects, and how payback should compare with your loan term.
8 min readRead →
SBA Loan Application: Big Bank, Local Credit Union or CDFI?
How national banks, community banks, credit unions and CDFIs differ on SBA loans, what Preferred Lender status means, and how to find PLP lenders.
9 min readRead →
CalculatorsAll calculators →
Business loan calculator
Estimate what your business could qualify for across term loans, lines of credit, SBA, and revenue-based financing — then compare firm offers from 50 lenders in one application.
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SBA loan payment calculator
Estimate an SBA loan payment from the amount, term, and expected annual rate, then verify program fees separately and compare offers from participating SBA lenders.
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Business term loan calculator
Estimate your monthly payment and total interest on a business term loan, then compare fixed-rate offers from 50 lenders in one application.
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Equipment financing calculator
Estimate monthly payments, total interest, and amount financed for new or used equipment with 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-year terms.
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Business line of credit calculator
Estimate the cost to draw on a business line of credit — you only pay interest on what you use — then compare offers from 50 lenders.
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Merchant cash advance and factor rate calculator
Convert a factor rate into the true effective APR and total payback on revenue-based financing or an MCA — then compare firm offers from 50 lenders.
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Invoice factoring calculator
Estimate your cash advance and the factoring fee on your outstanding invoices, then compare offers from 50 lenders.
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Startup funding calculator
Estimate the startup capital you could qualify for on founder credit and projections — without giving up equity — then compare offers from 50 lenders.
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ComparisonsAll comparisons →
Term loan vs. line of credit
Both fund a business — but one is a lump sum with fixed payments, the other is revolving capital you draw as needed. Here is how to choose.
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Invoice factoring vs. revenue-based financing
Both turn future money into cash today, but they underwrite completely differently. One advances your unpaid invoices; the other advances against your sales.
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SBA loan vs. conventional term loan
SBA loans offer the lowest rates and longest terms in commercial lending — but they take longer to fund. A conventional term loan trades a higher rate for speed.
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Line of credit vs. revenue-based financing
Both flex with your business, but a line of credit is reusable revolving capital, while revenue-based financing is a lump sum repaid as a share of sales.
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Equipment financing vs. equipment leasing
Both put equipment in your hands without paying cash upfront — but one builds ownership while the other keeps payments low and flexible.
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SBA 7(a) vs. SBA 504
Both are government-backed and low-rate, but 7(a) is the flexible all-purpose loan while 504 is built specifically for major fixed assets.
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Financing marketplace vs. going to a bank
Applying to one bank means one set of criteria and one answer. A marketplace puts your application in front of 50 lenders that compete for it.
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Financing marketplace vs. a loan broker
A broker shops your deal manually, often to a handful of relationships. A marketplace routes it to 50 lenders instantly and shows you every offer.
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By Industry
Equipment financing for Trucking & Freight
How trucking companies compare equipment financing from 50 lenders in one application.
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Equipment financing for Construction & Contracting
How construction companies compare equipment financing from 50 lenders in one application.
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Equipment financing for Medical & Dental Practices
How medical and dental practices compare equipment financing from 50 lenders in one application.
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Invoice factoring for Staffing & Recruiting
How staffing agencies compare invoice factoring from 50 lenders in one application.
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Invoice factoring for Trucking & Freight
How trucking companies compare invoice factoring from 50 lenders in one application.
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SBA loans for Franchises
How franchisees compare an SBA loan from 50 lenders in one application.
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SBA loans for Restaurants & Food Service
How restaurants compare an SBA loan from 50 lenders in one application.
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Business term loans for Construction & Contracting
How construction companies compare a business term loan from 50 lenders in one application.
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Reference
Business Financing Glossary
130+ loan and lending terms explained in plain English — searchable, with each term linked to the right product, calculator, or guide.
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NAICS Code Lookup
Find your NAICS code by industry or number — the code lenders and the SBA ask for when you apply. Searchable, with official Census links.
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