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Business Line of Credit vs. Loan: Which One’s Right for You?

Loans and lines of credit are the most common business financing products. 

The Federal Reserve Bank’s 2022 Small Business Credit Survey found they were sought by 76% of firms surveyed. More specifically, the application rate breakdown revealed business loans were preferred by 43% of companies, while business lines of credit were preferred by 31%. 

But what is a business line of credit vs. a loan? Let’s dive in to what sets these financing products apart and how you can decide which one is right for your venture.

What’s a Business Loan?

A business loan, what people commonly refer to when talking about a business term loan, is a type of financing product that provides qualified borrowers with a one-time lump sum of capital.

Business loans can be short-term, spanning several months to a few years, or long-term, up to 10 years. Some even may span 25 years, such as real estate financing offered through SBA 7(a) loans

Borrowers pay back the loan, along with interest, in regular installments over the life of the loan. Depending on the terms of your loan, payments may be daily, weekly or monthly.

What’s a Business Line of Credit?

A business line of credit is similar to a credit card. You’re approved for a certain amount and you can use the funds when you need them. Once you use your credit line, you’re charged interest on the amount you use. Additionally, some lenders charge a small fee each time you withdraw funds, which could be 1%-3% of the borrowed amount. 

Most credit lines are revolving, which means as you pay down your balance, your credit line is restored up to your original credit limit. Lines of credits often have terms between 6 months to 5 years or more in some cases.

Related: What’s the Difference Between a Business Line of Credit vs. a Business Credit Card?

Scale with a bag of money on one side with the words “term loan” and a line of credit document on the other side with the word “approved”

When to Use a Term Loan vs. a Line of Credit

When it comes to a business term loan vs. a line of credit, the former is often used to finance one-time projects or long-term investments, such as major equipment, growth investments or building renovations. Alternatively, business owners may use a term loan to refinance or consolidate existing debt. Be sure to review lender requirements to see if there are restrictions on the use of loan proceeds.

Because a line of credit is financing that’s there when you need it, it’s often used to cover emergency expenses or as short-term working capital when business funds are tight, such as seasonal declines in revenue. You can draw against your credit line to cover any type of expense that may arise, such as payroll costs, rent or inventory purchases. You can also use this financing when you need to pay a bill with a check or cash.

Graphic illustrating different uses of a business term loan vs. a business line of credit

Differences Between a Business Line of Credit vs. a Business Loan

Here are a few differences between a line of credit vs. a business loan you should keep in mind:

  Business Line of Credit Uses Business Term Loan
Qualification Requirements Business lines of credit may be easier to qualify for than term loans.

 

At Fast Capital 360, minimum qualifications are a 560 credit score, 1 year in business and at least $200,000 in annual revenue.

Business term loans often require borrowers to have a higher credit score.

 

At Fast Capital 360, minimum qualifications are a 600 credit score, 1 year in business and at least $200,000 in annual revenue.

Amount of Financing This will depend in part on your business’s qualifications, loan type and lender.  

 

For instance: 

  • SBA 7(a) term loans and working capital credit lines can be for up to $5 million. 
  • Fast Capital 360’s lending partners offer term loans and lines of credit up to $250,000.
  • Business loans at small banks average $146,000 and $593,000 at large banks, according to Federal Reserve data. In contrast, small business lines of credit at banks may start at $5,000 or $10,000 and can go up to $100,000, $250,000 or more depending on the lender and borrower qualifications. 

Often, the approval amount for a credit line is lower than what you could be approved for with a loan.

Repayment Terms Usually between 6 months and 5 years.

 

In some cases, the term can be renewed after the approval period ends.

Often, between 1 and 5 years, though some may extend to 10 or 25 years in certain cases. Short-term loans could be repaid in as few as 3 months.

 

Payments are completed and loan (and interest) is repaid within the term established in the loan agreement.

Fees Annual fee, inactivity fees, draw fees and withdrawal minimums may apply. Packaging costs, origination fees and prepayment penalties may apply. Closing costs are usually higher than seen with lines of credit. 

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Also, consider when it comes to a small business loan vs. a line of credit, both can be secured, meaning they require collateral. Or they could be unsecured, in which case, instead of a specific collateral requirement, the lender could require a personal guarantee or lien. 

Related: Common Loan Fees to Expect When Securing Business Financing 

  • Approval Rates by Funding Type

    According to a Federal Reserve report, applicants for a business line of credit experienced an approval rate of 71%, while those for a business loan had a 57% approval rate. The approval rate for an SBA loan or line of credit was 65%. 

    3 pie charts showing applicant approval rates for a business line of credit (71%), business loan (57%) and SBA loan or line of credit (65%).

Fixed Loan vs. Line of Credit Interest Rates

Fixed term business loans and lines of credit are offered through conventional lenders, such as banks and credit unions, as well as alternative lenders. Interest rates for term loans are often fixed, while line of credit interest rates are typically variable. 

With both types of funding products, your interest rate and loan approval terms will be better the stronger your qualifications, including credit score, revenue and time in business. Additionally, interest rates will vary by lender. 

Banks may have competitive rates and terms, but the requirements to qualify can be stringent and the process to apply and get funded can take time. As an example, Bank of America’s unsecured business loan terms start at 7% (at least 2 years in business and $100,000 in revenue required), while Wells Fargo’s unsecured business credit line interest rates start at the prime rate plus 1.75% (at least 2 years in business required). 

In contrast, alternative lenders are able to offer faster financing options with more streamlined applications, though the trade-off is often higher interest rates as well as shorter repayment terms.

It’s important to note that secured financing is viewed as less risky by lenders and usually comes with lower interest rates.

Should I Get a Business Loan or Line of Credit?

Now that you know what a fixed term loan vs. a line of credit is, consider your business needs when you’re comparing your options. Review your credit score, how long you’ve been in business and your annual revenue, and see how they stack up to lender qualification requirements. 

Also, ask yourself questions such as the following:

  • What will I be using the financing for?
  • How much access to capital do I need?
  • Will I need access to funds on an ongoing basis?
  • Do I need financing to fund a short-term or long-term need?

Additionally, carefully review a lender’s financing terms. It’s crucial to understand the costs involved in taking out a business loan or line of credit. Use a business term loan calculator or a line of credit calculator, too, to estimate your payments.

Erin has more than 15 years’ experience writing, proofreading and editing web content, technical documentation, instructional materials, marketing copy, editorials, social copy and creative content. In her role at Fast Capital 360, Erin covers topics of interest to small business owners, including sales, marketing, business management and financing.
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