Lender review

Harvest Small Business Finance Business Loans, Reviewed

A specialized SBA lender focused on commercial real estate, ranked among the top SBA 7(a) and 504 originators nationally.

Our take

A genuine specialist in SBA commercial real estate, faster than most SBA lenders on this network.

Harvest Small Business Finance is one of only a small number of non bank SBLC licensees authorized by the SBA to originate 7(a) loans, and it has built a national reputation specifically in owner occupied commercial real estate financing. Its SBA Preferred Lender status and singular focus let it close noticeably faster than the typical bank SBA process, and it will even consider startups, a rare feature among SBA specialists, though its 640 credit score floor and real estate focus still put it outside reach for a business that just needs working capital.

60–90+ Days (SBA) funding 680+ credit score 24+ Months in business 2 funding products
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Overview

Harvest Small Business Finance specializes almost exclusively in SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans for owner occupied commercial real estate, ranking among the top national originators for both programs.

What distinguishes Harvest Small Business Finance is focus rather than breadth. Rather than offering a wide product lineup, it has built deep expertise in one category, SBA backed commercial real estate financing, which shows up in faster average close times than the typical bank SBA process and a willingness to fund startups that most SBA specialists will not touch.

Harvest Small Business Finance tends to make sense when you

  • Are purchasing or refinancing owner occupied real estate. Harvest’s SBA 7(a) and 504 programs are both built around businesses that will occupy at least 51 percent of the property being financed.
  • Have a credit score of 640 or higher. This is more accommodating than many traditional bank SBA lenders, though still a real bar relative to short term online funders.
  • Are a newer business with a strong plan. Harvest funds a meaningful share of startup and early stage loans each year, unusual for an SBA specialist.
  • Want SBA pricing without the slowest timeline. As an SBA Preferred Lender, Harvest can close in weeks rather than the 90 to 120 days common at bank SBA lenders.

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What Harvest Small Business Finance actually offers

Products offered
2
Funding speed
60–90+ Days (SBA)
Min. credit score
680+
Min. time in business
24+ Months
Min. monthly revenue
$100K+

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
680+
Min. time in business
24+ Months
Min. monthly revenue
$100K+

Strengths and weaknesses

Pros
  • A top ranked national originator for both SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans
  • Closes noticeably faster than the typical 90 to 120 day bank SBA timeline
  • Will fund qualified startups and early stage businesses, unusual for an SBA specialist
  • A 640 credit score floor is more accommodating than many bank SBA lenders
  • Application processing in as little as 2 to 4 days before underwriting begins
Cons
  • Focused almost entirely on owner occupied commercial real estate, not general working capital
  • Standard SBA fees of roughly 3.0 to 3.5 percent apply on top of the loan amount
  • Does not publish a full list of minimum requirements upfront
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Products Harvest Small Business Finance offers

Harvest Small Business Finance concentrates on two SBA programs, both built around owner occupied commercial real estate.

SBA 7(a) commercial real estate loan Financing for purchasing, refinancing, or improving owner occupied commercial property, requiring the business to occupy at least 51 percent of the space and roughly a 10 percent equity contribution.
SBA 504 commercial real estate loan Structured as 50 percent conventional lender financing, 40 percent SBA debenture at a fixed, below market rate, and a 10 percent borrower down payment, ideal for a low down payment on a major property purchase.

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

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How to qualify for Harvest Small Business Finance

Harvest Small Business Finance does not publish a full list of minimum requirements, evaluating each application on its complete financial picture rather than a single cutoff.

Personal credit score

Harvest generally considers applications with a credit score as low as 640, more flexible than many traditional bank SBA lenders, though a stronger score improves your terms.

Owner occupancy

For SBA commercial real estate loans, your business must occupy at least 51 percent of the property being purchased or refinanced. Pure investment properties do not qualify.

Time in business

Harvest will consider startups and early stage businesses with a strong business plan, though an established track record of profitability makes for a stronger application.

Equity and cash flow

Expect to contribute roughly 10 percent equity and provide two to three years of tax returns and financial statements demonstrating your ability to service the debt.

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How to apply for Harvest Small Business Finance

Harvest Small Business Finance has streamlined its application relative to a traditional bank SBA process, though it still requires real documentation.

Information to apply

  • Two to three years of business tax returns
  • Current financial statements
  • A business plan or overview, especially for newer businesses
  • Details on the commercial property being purchased or refinanced

The 3 steps

1. Submit your application

Harvest can process applications in as little as 2 to 4 days before moving into full underwriting.

2. Underwriting review

Your credit profile, business financials, debt service coverage, and property details are reviewed together rather than screened on a single number.

3. Close your loan

As an SBA Preferred Lender, Harvest can close significantly faster than the typical 90 to 120 day bank SBA timeline.

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What works in Harvest Small Business Finance's favor

A genuine SBA CRE specialist

Ranking among the top national originators for both SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans reflects real depth in one category rather than breadth across many.

Faster than typical bank SBA lenders

SBA Preferred Lender status and a focused product line let Harvest close well ahead of the standard 90 to 120 day bank timeline.

Open to startups

Harvest funds a meaningful share of startup and early stage business loans each year, a rarity among SBA commercial real estate specialists.

A more accommodating credit floor

640 is more accessible than many traditional bank SBA lenders require.

A track record of low defaults

Harvest’s loan book reflects a consistently low default rate relative to its total originations.

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Where the tradeoffs show up

Real estate focused, not general working capital

If you need cash flow support rather than a property purchase, Harvest’s specialty will not fit your need.

Standard SBA fees still apply

Expect roughly 3.0 to 3.5 percent in typical SBA loan fees on top of your loan amount, the same as with any SBA lender.

Limited published requirements

Harvest does not list a comprehensive set of minimum requirements upfront, so expect to have a direct conversation to understand your fit.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Harvest Small Business Finance a direct lender?

Yes. Harvest is one of a small number of non bank SBLC licensees authorized by the SBA to originate 7(a) loans directly, and also originates SBA 504 loans.

Harvest generally considers applications with a credit score as low as 640, though a stronger score improves your terms.

Harvest can close SBA loans in roughly 30 to 45 days, faster than the 90 to 120 days typical at many bank SBA lenders.

Harvest specializes in SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans for owner occupied commercial real estate.

Yes. Unlike many SBA commercial real estate specialists, Harvest funds a meaningful share of startup and early stage business loans each year.

Harvest generally looks for a 640 or higher credit score, at least 51 percent owner occupancy for the property being financed, and roughly a 10 percent equity contribution.

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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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