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Business Line
of Credit

A quick and easy funding process that offers business lines of credit to business owners.

business line of credit

Last Updated on January 13, 2025

Shield Funding Team

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What is a Business Line of Credit?

A business line of credit offers business owners financial security by providing access to funds for any type of business expense. You can draw on the line of your credit up to your approval amount in just a few clicks and your line of credit replenishes when you make payments. You can pay off early and reduce your costs. You can stop using the credit line at anytime if all outstanding funds are paid back. This type of funding is for clients with approx. 650 credit score that require immediate access to capital and cannot meet the requirements of bank financing or do not have the time to go through the red tape of acquiring a business loan.

The credit requirements are high so this program is not ideal for business owners looking for business funding with bad credit. A credit line is a great way to have the security of business financing without the costs of holding unnecessary funding but it does require a good credit history. If you are not in the excellent credit range you may want to explore a merchant cash advance as it has no credit requirements and also provides access to immediate working capital.

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What Do I Need to Qualify?

Below is a list of the general requirements to get approved for business funding with our basic program.

How Do I Apply?

Applying has never been easier. You can either call our toll free number 24 hours 7 days a week at:

OR

Submit your online application by clicking apply below and entering a few basic details about your business.

Additional Business Line of Credit Options

SBA Business Loans​

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched the 7(a) Working Capital Pilot (WCP) program to provide small businesses with flexible, government-backed lines of credit. Running from August 1, 2024, through July 31, 2027, the program offers lines of credit up to $5 million with terms of up to 60 months. These credit lines are made to support both domestic and international transactions, allowing businesses to borrow against accounts receivable and inventory. With interest charged only on the amount used, the program gives a cost-effective solution for managing cash flow and short-term financial needs.

Bank Lines of Credit

Wells Fargo gives business lines of credit that provide flexible funding to help manage cash flow, buy inventory, or cover unexpected expenses. Their unsecured business lines of credit range from $5,000 to $150,000, with competitive rates and no collateral required. For larger financing needs, secured lines of credit up to $1 million are available, backed by business assets. These credit lines offer revolving access to funds, allowing businesses to borrow as needed and pay interest only on the amount used.

Bank of America offers unsecured business lines of credit starting at $10,000, providing flexible funding without the need for collateral. These revolving credit lines are ideal for buying inventory, managing cash flow, or covering unexpected expenses. To qualify, businesses usually need at least two years of operation under existing ownership, a personal credit score above 700, and annual revenue of $100,000 or more. Interest rates start as low as 9.00%, and funds can be accessed as needed, with interest charged only on the amount used.

Chase gives business lines of credit ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, providing flexible funding to manage cash flow, purchase inventory, or cover unexpected expenses. These lines have a five-year revolving term, with the possibility of renewal, and a five-year repayment period. Interest rates vary and are based on factors like your banking relationship, credit history, and collateral. To qualify, your business should be at least two years old under the same majority ownership. For larger financing needs, Chase provides commercial lines of credit exceeding $500,000, with initial terms of one to two years.

U.S. Bank offers business lines of credit to help manage cash flow, buy inventory, or cover unexpected expenses. Unsecured lines range from $10,000 to $100,000, while secured lines for larger amounts require collateral like accounts receivable or inventory. These lines provide flexible access to funds, with interest charged only on the amount used. The application process is simple, with approvals and funding available in as little as one business day.

PNC Bank provides business lines of credit to help manage business finances. Unsecured lines range from $20,000 to $100,000 and don’t require collateral, while secured lines start at $100,001 and are backed by non-real estate business assets. Both options have varying interest rates based on the Prime Rate, with unsecured lines having an annual fee of $175 and secured lines charging 0.25% of the committed line amount. Funds can be accessed through checks, online transfers, or by phone, and they give optional overdraft protection for your PNC business checking account.

Credit Card Lines of Credit

American Express offers business lines of credit through its Business Blueprint platform, with amounts ranging from $2,000 to $250,000. Each draw becomes a separate installment loan with flexible repayment terms and fees based on the loan amount and duration. To qualify, businesses need a minimum FICO score of 660, at least one year in operation, and monthly revenue of $3,000 or more. The application process is quick, providing fast access to funds for managing cash flow, purchasing inventory, or covering expenses. For more details or to apply, visit the American Express Business Blueprint website.

Capital One provides a range of small business lending products, including term loans and lines of credit, with amounts from $10,000 to $5 million. To qualify, businesses should have at least two years of operating history and a Capital One business checking account. The application process involves meeting with a branch ambassador at a Capital One location to explore suitable financing options.

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Learn More About Business Lines of Credit

How Does a Business Line of Credit Work?

A credit line is a fast financing solution where a small business owner is approved for a specific amount of money that can be accessed in part or all of it depending on the business owners financial needs. The principal plus any fees will be paid back through weekly debits from the business owner’s bank account. As you make payments your line of credit is replenished for the principal paid back. As an example, if you have a $200 payment, $180 might be the payment that week for your principal and $20 would be for fees.

Why Would a Lender Take All the Risk?

Lenders manage their risk when offering business lines of credit by carefully checking the borrower’s creditworthiness, financial health, and cash flow to make sure they can repay the borrowed funds. Some lines of credit require collateral, which gives lenders a way to recover losses if the borrower defaults. Also lenders charge interest and fees to offset their risk and set credit limits based on the borrower’s financial strength to avoid over-lending. Many also monitor the borrower’s financial situation regularly to make sure they remain capable of repayment throughout the term. These strategies allow lenders to reduce risk while giving businesses flexible financing.

Is a Business Line of Credit Right For You?

A business line of credit is a good option if you require access to immediate business capital for your business and you do not have collateral, and you do not meet bank funding requirements or just do not want to go through the lengthy and stringent conventional process. This type of financing is also for business owners that want a credit line available when they need access to capital but do not want to take the full amount of money upfront and pay fees on that amount, just specific amounts needed at times that those additional funds are required. A business line of credit provides a financial cushion for the various times throughout business cycles when additional capital is required.

Common Uses for a Business Line of Credit

Cash Flow Issues

There are many small businesses that have customers that only pay a portion of a product or service’s cost upfront and take the rest on credit. During the early stages of growth in a business it is easy to take on a lot of customers in an attempt to build a client base. This type of strategy puts the initial burden of the debt on the business owners. Having a line of credit allows an owner the flexibility to take the funds that they need based on how customers pay their debts to the business.

Inventory Management

Managing inventory is one of the most difficult tasks for any business owner. Whether you should buy more or less for a particular product at any given time is almost impossible to guess exactly so the most common action is to purchase more inventory than needed. The last thing you want as a business owner is a customer willing to make a purchase without the product for that customer. The purchase of additional inventory of one product can leave the inventory of another product short. Having a credit line allows owners the flexibility to purchase inventory when needed.

Payroll Expenses

Just like inventory, it can often be difficult to gauge what a weekly payroll will be. Having a credit line available takes all the worry out of paying employees. Any time you have a big payroll week you can access additional capital and just repay it in the later weeks when cash flow increases.

Operating Expenses

When operating a business there are myriad expenses that can arise and for most early stage business owners it is impossible to be prepared for every cost. Knowing that there is a financial cushion for any unforeseen costs allows business owners to operate their business more efficiently and with confidence, factors critical for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

A business line of credit provides ongoing access to funds up to a set limit, allowing you to borrow, repay, and borrow again as needed. A business loan, on the other hand, provides a lump sum that must be repaid over a fixed term, often used for one-time expenses like equipment purchases or real estate.

Industries with fluctuating cash flows, such as retail, construction, and seasonal businesses, benefit significantly from a line of credit. It provides the flexibility to manage short-term needs like purchasing inventory during peak seasons or covering payroll during slow periods.

Some lenders may require businesses to use a minimum amount of their line of credit within a certain period to keep the account active. Others may not have such requirements, but it’s important to check the terms before signing up.

Yes, responsible use of a business line of credit can improve your credit score. Making on-time payments and keeping the balance low relative to the credit limit demonstrates good financial management, which can positively impact your business credit profile.

In addition to interest, some lines of credit may have fees such as annual maintenance fees, draw fees (charged each time you access funds), and inactivity fees if the line isn’t used for a specified period. Always review the terms for a full understanding of potential costs.

New businesses may qualify for a line of credit, but they often face stricter requirements. Lenders may look for strong personal credit scores, a solid business plan, and collateral to offset the higher risk of lending to startups.

It depends on your needs. A secured line of credit typically offers higher limits and lower interest rates but requires collateral. An unsecured line of credit doesn’t require collateral, making it faster to obtain, but it may have stricter credit requirements and higher interest rates.

Don’t just take our
word for it…
Jan 07, 2025
Daniel was kind and helpful

Daniel was very easy to work with. Explained everything in an easy to understand manner, worked whenever needed and was even able to get better terms after my initial hesitation. Easiest quick business financing I have ever worked with and very straightforward. Would recommend speaking with Shield funding and Daniel specifically.

Jan 07, 2025
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Mastery of Customer Service

This company reminded me of what “real” customer service is. Our President and CFO both spoke highly of Mr. Scott Davis’s ability to deliver on exactly what he said he could, when he said he could do it. He showed true perfection in handling complex interpersonal relationships within our restructuring team. The process was extremely simple and straight to the point, with results (in our case) within a matter of hours. No surprises, just pure delivery on exactly what was promised. Excellent terms. Customer service mastery. Excellent follow-up. Our team now calls him Scott “The Money Man” Davis - and we’re already looking forward to working with him on our next capitalization project!

Dec 31, 2024
Dan Zuberman was such a great help

Dan Zuberman was such a great help. He worked hard to get us the funding we needed in record time! I appreciate him and the rest of the Shield Funding team and recommend them to all who need funds for their business!

Dec 13, 2024
Within moments of submitting my info…

Within moments of submitting my info Eli Miller contacted me and stayed with me through the entire process, even while I was comparing his offer to others. His expertise and the comfort he offered made working with Shield Funding the only option I was comfortable with. Money was in my account the next morning. Thank you Eli!!!

Dec 12, 2024
I appreciate everything that Issac…

I appreciate everything that Issac helped me with, he answered all my questions with patience. Issac made the process very simple and quick. I recommend to anyone who is looking for quick funding.

Nov 26, 2024
Everyone at Shield Funding has been…

Everyone at Shield Funding has been nothing short of accommodating and helpful. They have truly made the loan process easy and quick. Daniel has answered all of my questions promptly and accurately.