Owners often arrive certain they need "a loan." But the three products we place solve genuinely different problems, and picking the wrong one is expensive. Here's the short version of how we think about it.
Start with the shape of the need
Is it a single, large, one-time investment — buying property, acquiring a business, a major build-out? That's SBA territory: the lowest rates and longest terms, in exchange for a more detailed process. Is it a recurring, unpredictable gap — cash flow, seasonality, the occasional opportunity? That's a line of credit, where you only pay for what you draw. Is it a fast, specific, short-term need where timing beats price? That's working capital.
Then weigh time against cost
There's almost always a trade-off between speed and cost. SBA is the cheapest money but the slowest; working capital is the fastest but the priciest; a line sits in between and rewards discipline. The right answer depends on how much the timing is worth to you in that specific situation.
When in doubt, compare
You don't have to make this call alone or up front. One application lets us model all three for your business and show you the real numbers side by side. More often than people expect, the obvious choice turns out to be the wrong one once the math is on the table.
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