A quick funding process that offers cash flow business loans to business owners.
Last Updated on February 21, 2025
Shield Funding TeamCash flow management is a skill that every small business owner will need to master to succeed. Cash flow is the flow of money in and out of your business. It consists of revenues coming in and expenses going out. One of the first cash flow management problems businesses struggle with is lopsided cash flow. More money is going out than is coming in. This is why so many startups end up borrowing cash to find their operations while they get off the ground.
More established businesses struggle with a different type of cash flow problem, when cash inflows and outflows do not align. Your business generates enough revenues to cover your expenses, but bills come due while you are waiting to be paid. In seeking to solve these problems, you have probably realized that you need access to credit to smooth over cash flow bumps. Shield Funding helps secure many types of business loans and credit products for existing business owners and the process is fast and easy. To get started apply online in minutes.
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
We know that businesses have a tough time receiving working capital. If you try to get a loan from a traditional lender, you’ll get denied fast. We don’t think any factor should disqualify you from getting funding for your business. At Shield Funding we can approve and fund your loan within 24 hours.
So we offer short term merchant cash advances of up to $1,000,000 to business owners with credit scores above 500. You’ll pay 12–45% interest on terms up to 36 months. As long as your business has been open for a few months and you have $8,000 in monthly revenue, you can qualify and even receive funds the same day.
Alternative lenders take more risks than traditional lenders, and can afford to do so because of the rates they charge and their years of experience. Products meant for those with bad credit can also be a good choice for those who need help managing cash flow because they have quick turnaround times and easy approval processes.
A bad credit small business loan can make it through underwriting be approved in just 24 hours. The loan’s funds could be in your bank account or usable within a few days. This makes them an excellent choice if you have a last minute cash flow emergency and are now rushing to find funding.
The decision to lend is based on your business’ annual revenues and how long you have been in business, which can be as little as two months. Business owners with credit scores above 500 and whose businesses generate $8,000 of monthly revenues will find it easy to qualify.
Alternative lenders fund business lines of credit or business loans in amounts between $5,000 to $1 million. They are unlikely to request tax returns or bank statements unless you are borrowing near the upper limit. Bad credit business lines of credit require much less documentation than a LOC through a traditional lender.
Alternative lenders do charge higher interest rates on their lines of credit to cover their risk. Your interest rate on a bad credit business line of credit will range from 12% to 45%. If you have a decent credit score, the interest rate could be comparable or less than a business credit card or merchant cash advance.
Alternative lenders are an accessible funding source for business owners trying to use capital to manage their cash flow.
A fast business loan has a term of no longer than two years. For business owners who dislike variable monthly payments, it will be a fixed-rate loan. The payment will not vary and you will be able to budget repayment for the future. Alternative lenders who offer fast loans lend smaller amounts of capital to hedge their risk, but it could be all that you need.
Alternative lenders also lend for shorter periods of time to lessen their risk of non-payment, which again could suit your business needs. But a shorter repayment period also leads to a higher monthly payment. For example, a $12,000 loan repaid over six years has monthly payments of $167, but repaid over three years the payment jumps to $333.
Before you apply for any kind of working capital loans bad credit, calculate your free cash flow and check your budget to make sure that you can make payments. Lenders who offer fast loans also make repaying them easy. You can set up monthly, bi-weekly, weekly, or even daily payments to automatically deduct from your bank account.
A business line of credit functions similarly to a credit card. The line is open and you can access the capital at any time. Once you have paid down some of the line of credit, you can draw again the next time you need to purchase more inventory. And, if you have no draws on the line, you do not owe a payment.
A business line of credit, just like a credit card, is an open and unsecured form of credit. It has no collateral and the lender will be last in line to get repaid should you default. For this reason, lines of credit can have extremely high interest rates. You may also pay an annual fee to keep it open or draw fees every time you access the capital.
These are two downsides to using a line of credit for inventory management. The other would be that, due to the risk associated with an unsecured form of lending, a line of credit will likely have a low lending limit. It might not be enough to pay for the inventory you need, or could end up limiting your business’ growth.
Apply for Cash Flow Business Loans!
Work with a direct lender and get a business loan as fast as the same day. Shield Funding offers competitive rates and terms on all it’s funding programs. Apply now with a trusted lender that has been helping business owners secure working capital for two decades.
The USDA Business and Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantee Program aims to bolster rural economies by enhancing access to business capital. By providing loan guarantees of up to 80% for loans up to $25 million, the program encourages lenders to finance rural businesses, thereby improving cash flow and fostering job creation. Eligible uses of funds include purchasing equipment, acquiring real estate, refinancing existing debt to improve cash flow, and providing working capital. These provisions enable businesses to manage their finances more effectively, ensuring stability and growth in rural communities.
American Express offers small business loans through its Business Blueprint™ platform, providing flexible financing solutions to help manage cash flow. These loans can be used to address cash flow gaps, cover unexpected expenses, or invest in business growth opportunities. With the Business Blueprint™ platform, business owners can access a centralized dashboard to monitor cash flow, link external accounts, and gain personalized insights to make informed financial decisions. This comprehensive approach enables businesses to maintain financial stability and seize new opportunities as they arise.
evergreenDIRECT Credit Union offers Cash Flow Loans designed to provide members with quick access to funds ranging from $50 to $1,500 without the need for a credit check. The loan amount is determined by the total deposits made into your savings and checking accounts in the previous month, allowing you to borrow up to 35% of that amount. These loans feature competitive rates, flexible terms, and local decision-making and processing in Western Washington.
Affinity Federal Credit Union offers a range of business loans designed to enhance cash flow and support business growth. Their financing options include commercial mortgage loans, term loans, SBA loans, and lines of credit, all tailored to meet specific business needs. These solutions aim to help businesses expand, increase working capital, manage daily expenses, refinance existing debt, and improve overall cash flow. Additionally, Affinity provides the Business Overdraft Advantage, a line of credit that protects business checking accounts from overdrafts, further aiding in cash flow management. With competitive rates and flexible payment schedules, Affinity’s Business Specialists work closely with members to customize financing solutions that align with their business goals.
APG Federal Credit Union (APGFCU) offers a variety of business loan options designed to enhance cash flow and support business growth. Their Business Lines of Credit provide both secured and unsecured options, allowing businesses to access funds as needed and pay interest only on the amount utilized. This flexibility is ideal for managing cash flow gaps or seasonal cycles. Additionally, APGFCU’s Cash Management and Business Services offer tools like Remote Deposit Capture and ACH services, enabling efficient transaction processing and improved cash flow management. These services help businesses streamline operations, reduce the need for physical bank visits, and maintain better control over their finances.
Funding for cash flow purposes must, above all, be liquid. This means that funds that are difficult to access or require long waiting periods to get approved, and have withdrawal limits, will not serve your purpose.
Savings accounts limit you to six withdrawals per month or you start paying fees. Traditional bank loans take months for approval and, once you’ve used the money or repaid it, you don’t have access to that capital again. A business loan for cash flow should have the following characteristics:
Funding specific to cash flow management should be accessible; after all, you are using this capital to pay expenses that are not always predictable. Many of the best business loans for cash flow have checks or debit cards that you can use to pay a vendor but which access the capital.
If you are limited to a certain number of withdrawals per period, typically a month, you will not have the flexibility that you need. You also do not want to be charged additional fees to use the capital you have obtained.
A traditional term loan does not free up money when you make a repayment. If you needed more money, you would have to apply for another loan. Business lines of credit and options we will discuss below make that money available again for you to use over and over.
Whatever capital tool you select to manage your cash flow, make sure that it meets these criteria.
Banks do extend business lines of credit to qualified customers. They prefer to lend to businesses which already have a banking relationship with them, which means that they can access your records and more easily verify your credit-worthiness.
Typically, you need to meet the following to qualify for a bank’s line of credit;
Those are the minimum qualifications, but they could also request more documentation. While you may be able to qualify for a line of credit with a bank, by the time the approval process is completed your cash flow situation could have become dire. Alternative lenders also offer lines of credit at competitive rates, but for far less hassle.
Compare all the lending options available to you against your business’ situation. This will often point you in the right direction of where to borrow. If you have difficulty collecting on past due invoices, look at invoice factoring. Just need to draw on capital now and then? A bad credit business line of credit could solve your worries.
Always ask about fees, prepayment penalties, and possible interest rate increases. A reputable lender will happily answer all your questions, as they want the experience to be successful for all the parties involved. The answers you find will help you compare lenders. If Lender A charges no prepayment penalties, and allows you to be late paying up to three times a month, they could be a better option than Lender B who does charge prepayment penalties and massive late fees.
Ask the lender if they can give you the loan’s APR, or annual percentage rate. This rate, unlike a simple interest rate, blends together both the interest and fees to more accurately present your cost of capital. While two lenders may quote you the same rate, the APR may make it obvious that one is a better choice.
A lender charges a prepayment penalty if you pay off the loan early, to make up for their lost profit. If you plan on paying off your loan early, do not borrow from a lender who charges this penalty. Shield Funding does not charge prepayment penalties, and after ten years in business we know how to help businesses that need cash flow help.
Not all lending products are created equal, or will fulfill your needs, just like not all businesses who struggle with cash flow do so for the same reason. An experienced lender will analyze where you are having problems and can help you decide between products. Call Shield Funding today to find out more about your options when borrowing for cash flow management.
A cash flow business loan is specifically designed to provide short-term liquidity to cover daily operations, payroll, and unexpected expenses. Unlike traditional business loans that may require collateral, cash flow loans are often approved based on revenue and profitability rather than physical assets.
Yes, many businesses use cash flow loans to consolidate or refinance high-interest debt. By securing a loan with more favorable terms, businesses can reduce monthly payments and improve overall financial stability.
Yes, cash flow loans are an excellent option for seasonal businesses that experience fluctuations in revenue. These loans provide funding during slow periods, ensuring businesses can maintain operations and prepare for peak seasons.
Lenders typically assess a business’s monthly revenue, profit margins, and bank statements to determine eligibility. While a strong credit score can help secure better terms, many lenders focus primarily on a company’s cash flow history rather than requiring collateral.
Industries with fluctuating cash flow, such as retail, restaurants, healthcare, and construction, often benefit the most from these loans. They help businesses manage payroll, purchase inventory, and cover operational expenses when cash reserves are low.
It depends on the lender. Some cash flow loans come with prepayment penalties if the borrower repays early, while others allow early repayment without additional fees. It’s important to review loan terms carefully before committing.
