Lender review

Funding Circle Business Loans, Reviewed

A direct lender for established businesses, offering fast decisions on term loans up to $500,000 for a 660 credit score and two years in business.

Our take

Fast, established lending, priced well above a bank but below most short term funders.

Funding Circle pairs a strict eligibility bar, a 660 credit score, two years in business, and no bankruptcy in the past seven years, with genuinely fast decisions, often within an hour, and funding in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Its SBA 7(a) loans price near the SBA cap, but its term loans carry both a real APR range and a steep 4.49 to 10.49 percent origination fee deducted straight from your proceeds, so run the full cost before comparing it to a bank rate.

3 Business Days funding 660+ credit score 24+ Months in business 3 funding products
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Overview

Funding Circle directly funds term loans, SBA 7(a) loans, and a business line of credit for established small businesses, all through a streamlined online application.

What sets Funding Circle apart is speed at a bank adjacent price point. A personal account manager follows up within an hour of your application, and loan decisions can land in as little as 24 hours, a pace closer to a fast online lender than the SBA lenders and banks that typically offer comparable rates.

Funding Circle tends to make sense when you

  • Are an established business with good credit. A 660 credit score minimum and 2 or more years in business are non negotiable, so this fits a stable, ongoing business rather than a startup.
  • Want SBA pricing without the wait. Funding Circle’s SBA 7(a) loans price at the SBA cap and can close faster than a typical bank SBA process.
  • Need a decision fast. A personal account manager follows up within an hour, and decisions can come within 24 hours.
  • Have run the real cost of the origination fee. The 4.49 to 10.49 percent origination fee is deducted from your proceeds upfront, so the amount you receive is less than the amount you owe.

See what Funding Circle can offer your business

Prequalify in minutes without affecting your credit score.

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What Funding Circle actually offers

Products offered
3
Funding speed
3 Business Days
Min. credit score
660+
Min. time in business
24+ Months
Min. monthly revenue
$50K+

Exact rates and loan amounts vary by product and by applicant; see the product breakdown below for details on each one.

What it takes to qualify

Min. credit score
660+
Min. time in business
24+ Months
Min. monthly revenue
$50K+

Strengths and weaknesses

Pros
  • Loan decisions in as little as 1 hour, funding within 24 to 48 hours
  • SBA 7(a) loans priced at the SBA capped rate
  • No collateral required on unsecured term loans
  • A personal account manager follows up within an hour of applying
  • A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
Cons
  • A steep 4.49 to 10.49 percent origination fee is deducted from your loan proceeds
  • Term loan APRs of 15.22 percent to 45 percent run well above bank pricing
  • Requires 2 or more years in business and no bankruptcy in the past 7 years, ruling out newer or credit challenged businesses
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Products Funding Circle offers

Funding Circle funds three products directly, with your rate shaped by your credit profile, revenue, and the loan term you choose.

Business term loan $25,000 to $500,000, repaid over terms up to 84 months. APRs range from about 15.22 percent to 45 percent, plus a 4.49 to 10.49 percent origination fee deducted from your proceeds.
SBA 7(a) loan Government backed financing priced at Prime plus 2.75 to 4.75 percent, with some borrowers funded in as little as 13 days versus the typical 27 to 49 day SBA timeline.
Business line of credit Revolving credit typically between $5,000 and $250,000, with an average draw fee of 1.6 percent and interest charged only on what you use.

Rate, term, and amount figures are set per applicant during underwriting.

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How to qualify for Funding Circle

Funding Circle sets one of the stricter bars among direct lenders on this network, which is part of how it keeps its rates lower than most short term funders.

Personal credit score

Funding Circle requires at least one business owner to have a personal credit score of 660 or higher, with no personal bankruptcy in the last 7 years.

Time in business

A business needs at least 2 years of operating history to qualify. Funding Circle does not fund startups or businesses in their first two years.

Annual revenue

Funding Circle does not publish a strict revenue minimum, though most sources cite roughly $50,000 or more in annual revenue as a practical floor.

Documentation and location

Funding Circle operates in 49 of 50 states, excluding Vermont, and requires standard financial documentation like bank statements and business financials.

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How to apply for Funding Circle

The application takes about 7 to 15 minutes, and Funding Circle assigns a personal account manager who follows up within the hour.

Information to apply

  • Basic business details and annual revenue
  • Business assets, if applicable
  • Bank statements and tax returns
  • Personal credit information for all owners

The 3 steps

1. Apply online

Complete Funding Circle’s application in about 7 to 15 minutes.

2. Talk to your account manager

A personal account manager follows up within an hour to collect documentation and shape terms around your business.

3. Get a decision and receive funds

Underwriters review your file, with decisions possible in as little as 1 hour and funds typically arriving within 24 to 48 hours.

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What works in Funding Circle's favor

Genuinely fast decisions

Loan decisions in as little as 1 hour and funding within 24 to 48 hours is quick for a lender with bank adjacent pricing.

SBA rates without the typical wait

Some SBA borrowers see funding in as little as 13 days, well under the standard 27 to 49 day SBA timeline.

No collateral on unsecured term loans

You do not need to pledge a specific business asset to qualify for Funding Circle’s standard term loan.

A personal account manager

You work with one dedicated contact from application through funding rather than a purely automated process.

Strong institutional backing

Funding Circle holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and operates across most of the US.

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Where the tradeoffs show up

A steep origination fee

4.49 to 10.49 percent is deducted from your proceeds before you receive funds, meaningfully reducing what actually lands in your account.

Not built for newer businesses

2 or more years in business and a 660 credit score exclude startups and businesses recovering from credit challenges.

Term loan APRs run high relative to a bank

15.22 percent to 45 percent is well above traditional bank pricing, even if it beats most short term online funders.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Funding Circle a direct lender?

Yes. Funding Circle directly funds its term loans and lines of credit, and is also an SBA approved lender for its 7(a) loan program.

At least one business owner needs a personal credit score of 660 or higher, with no personal bankruptcy in the past 7 years.

Loan decisions can come in as little as 1 hour, with funds typically arriving within 24 to 48 hours after approval.

Funding Circle offers business term loans up to $500,000, SBA 7(a) loans, and a business line of credit.

Funding Circle requires at least 2 years in business, a personal credit score of 660 or higher, and no bankruptcy on record in the last 7 years.

Term loan APRs range from about 15.22 percent to 45 percent, plus a one time origination fee of 4.49 to 10.49 percent deducted from your loan proceeds.

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How we built this rating

How we score lenders

We score lenders on loan cost, eligibility and accessibility, funding speed, and customer experience, drawing on the lender's own disclosures, public complaint records, and third party review platforms. Ratings are reviewed monthly and reflect our independent analysis; lenders cannot pay for a better score.

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