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Best Long-Term Business Loans Of 2024

Personal Finance Writer
Lead Editor, Mortgages & Loans

Reviewed

Updated: May 1, 2024, 12:09pm

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

If you’re looking to invest in the long-term growth of your business, you might need a business loan with a lengthy repayment term. Long-term business loans typically come with terms of three to 10 years, though some loans have terms that span up to 25 years.

Whether you’re trying to purchase equipment, invest in real estate, expand your workforce or achieve another business goal, a long-term loan can help you cover costs upfront while paying them back little by little over time.

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Why you can trust Forbes Advisor: Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the loans methodology for the ratings below.

  • 16 lenders researched
  • 16 data points evaluated
  • 5 cateogires scored

Best Long-term Business Loans 2024

BEST FOR SMALL- TO MID-SIZED BUSINESSES

National Funding

4.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Loan amounts

$5,000 to $500,000

APR range

Buy rates start at 1.11%

Minimum Credit Score

600

Learn More Arrow

On National Funding’s Website

$5,000 to $500,000

Buy rates start at 1.11%

600

Editor’s Take

National Funding offers working capital small business loans from $5,000 to $500,000 with terms of four months to two years, paid daily or weekly. Borrowers can use their funds for all working capital needs, including inventory, payroll, marketing, taxes and more. National Funding also offers equipment financing up to $150,000 but applicants must have a minimum personal credit score of 575 to qualify for that financing method.

Unlike most business lenders, National Funding offers early payoff discounts. Small business loan customers who repay their total remaining balance in full within the first 100 days of the contract will automatically receive a 7% discount off the total remaining balance. Equipment financing customers who repay the total remaining balance early, at any point during the term, will automatically receive a 6% discount off the total remaining balance.

Pros & Cons
  • Financing up to $500,000
  • Early payoff discounts
  • Most loans are funded within 24 hours of approval
  • Requires daily or weekly payments
  • Potentially high borrowing costs
  • Requires minimum gross annual sales of $250,000

Details

Eligibility

  • Minimum credit score: 600 (575 for equipment financing)
  • Time in business: Six months
  • Minimum sales: $250,000 per year

Turnaround time

Most loans are funded within 24 hours of approval, subject to receipt of required documentation, underwriting guidelines and processing time by your bank.

Expert’s Take

National Funding offers loans from $5,000 to $500,000, but two years is the maximum length for a large loan. I had a client that got excited by what he thought would be a lending source that could do $500k for five years, but the five-year loan was only offered at $100,000. A local banker made a collateralized loan for the large equipment purchase, and the client took a small short-term loan from National Funding to help with cash flow during a tough spot.

— Herman Thompson, Jr., advisory board member

BEST FOR A LENDER COMPARISON SITE

Lendio

4.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Loan amounts

$500 to $5 million

APR range

As low as 3%

Minimum Credit Score

560

Learn More Arrow

On Lendio’s Website

$500 to $5 million

As low as 3%

560

Editor’s Take

Lendio is an online business loan marketplace that connects prospective borrowers with traditional banks and nonbank online lenders. By filling out one application, Lendio is able to connect business owners to over 75 lenders. Over its existence, Lendio has helped small business owners receive over $12 billion in funding nationwide.

Applicants may see Lendio as a one-stop-shop. You can apply for business loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, equipment financing, merchant cash advances (MCAs), commercial mortgages, invoice factoring and business acquisition loans. However, because Lendio is a marketplace and not a lender, it doesn’t publish specific terms. Instead, you’ll have access to its lending partners, and it will help you find the best offer for your specific needs.

Pros & Cons
  • One application connects you to more than 75 lenders
  • Wide variety of loan products, including term loans, lines of credit and SBA loans
  • Some lenders charge prepayment penalties
  • Terms and funding times vary depending on specific lender

Details

Overview

Lendio is an online business loan marketplace that connects prospective borrowers with traditional banks and nonbank online lenders. Over its existence, Lendio has helped small business owners receive over $12 billion in funding nationwide.

Applicants may see Lendio as a one-stop shop. You can apply for business loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, equipment financing, merchant cash advances (MCAs), commercial mortgages, invoice factoring and business acquisition loans. However, because Lendio is a marketplace and not a lender, it doesn’t publish specific terms. Instead, you’ll have access to its lending partners while helping you find the best offer for your needs.

Eligibility

  • Minimum Credit Score: 560
  • Time in Business: Six Months
  • Minimum Annual Revenue: $50,000

Funding time

Applying through Lendio takes 15 minutes. After you review your offers and are approved by your lender, you can receive your funds in as little as 24 hours.

BEST FOR ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES

Funding Circle

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Loan amounts

$25,000 to $500,000

APR range

As low as 7.49%

Minimum Credit Score

660

Learn More Arrow

From participating partners via businessloans.com’s website.

$25,000 to $500,000

As low as 7.49%

660

Editor’s Take

Funding Circle has been a direct lender specializing in small business loans since 2010. Since its inception, it has helped 130,000 businesses in 700 industries and lent $19.4 billion globally. We chose Funding Circle because it provides fast, affordable loans with a simple application process and funding in as little as 48 hours. Prospective borrowers have three options: business term loan, line of credit or SBA loan.

Funding Circle term loans range from $25,000 to $500,000 with repayment terms from six months to five years. If you choose to apply for a business line of credit, you can access credit lines between $6,000 and $100,000. However, Funding Circle doesn’t specify its line of credit repayment terms. You can also apply for Funding Circle SBA loans, which range from $25,000 to $500,000 with terms up to 10 years.

There is one main drawback of Funding Circle: there’s a one-time origination fee on each loan ranging from 3.49% to 6.99% of the approved loan amount.

Pros & Cons
  • Loans from $25,000 to $500,000
  • Funding in as little as 48 hours
  • No minimum annual revenue requirement for most loans
  • One-time origination fee between 3.49% to 6.99% of the approved loan amount
  • Requires two years in business, so it’s not ideal for startups
  • Not available to Nevada businesses

Details

Eligibility

  • Minimum credit score: 660 for most loans; 650 for SBA loans
  • Time in business: Two years
  • Minimum revenue: None for most loans; $400,000 per year for SBA loans

Turnaround time

Depending on the loan type, you can receive your funds within two days. However, SBA loan funding may take up to two weeks.

Expert’s Take

Funding Circle provides long-term loans that are essential for businesses planning significant investments in growth or infrastructure. The clear terms and lower interest rates compared to short-term loans make this an excellent choice for businesses with a stable financial outlook and a strategic long-term development plan.

— Cache Merrill, founder and CTO, Zibtek

BEST FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

TD Bank

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Loan amounts

$10,000 to $1 million

up to $5 million for small business loans

APR range

Not disclosed

Minimum Credit Score

660

Learn More Arrow

From participating partners via businessloans.com’s website.

$10,000 to $1 million

up to $5 million for small business loans

Not disclosed

660

Editor’s Take

Business owners can apply for traditional term loans and lines of credit, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and even other products like credit cards and checking accounts through TD Bank.

TD Bank offers business loans from $10,000 to $1 million with terms ranging from one to five years. If you’d rather have access to a line of credit, it offers credit lines between $25,000 and $500,000. What’s more, TD Bank is an SBA-approved lender, meaning you can apply for an SBA through the bank. SBA loans typically have loan amounts of up to $5 million and terms up to 25 years.

The company also stands out for healthcare professionals and offers unique financing options for dentists, veterinarians, physicians and eye care professionals. For instance, it offers lending solutions up to $12 million with 100% practice financing plus working capital, in addition to partnership buy-ins and buy-outs, equipment purchase, and practice mergers and acquisitions.

Note: While online applications are available for loans up to $100,000, you must apply in person for loans over $100,000. TD Bank has branches in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and Washington D.C.

Pros & Cons
  • Offers term loans, lines of credit and SBA loans
  • Online application and mobile banking
  • Customized financing options for healthcare professionals
  • Must apply in person for loans over $100,000
  • Branches located in only 16 states

Details

Eligibility

  • Minimum credit score: 660
  • Time in business: One year
  • Minimum annual revenue: Does not disclose

Turnaround time

Although TD Bank offers same-day approval for its business loans and lines of credit, it may take up to two business days to receive your funds. SBA loans, on the other hand, may take several weeks to fund.

BEST FOR FAST EQUIPMENT FINANCING

QuickBridge

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Loan amounts

$10,000 to $500,000

APR range

Factor rates start at 1.11

Minimum Credit Score

600

Learn More Arrow

On Quickbridge’s Website

$10,000 to $500,000

Factor rates start at 1.11

600

Editor’s Take

QuickBridge is an alternative loan platform that provides small business loans and equipment financing to business owners in all 50 states. Applying with QuickBridge is quick and funding can happen within 24 hours. However, equipment financing is its only long-term business loan; its traditional small business loans only have terms up to 24 months.

Pros & Cons
  • Flexible repayment options
  • Quick application and fast funding deposited to a bank account
  • Early payoff discounts
  • Loan interest may be high
  • $250,000 minimum annual revenue requirement for small business loans
  • Only short-term repayment terms are available

Details

Eligibility

  • Minimum credit score: 600
  • Time in business: Six months
  • Minimum revenue: $250,000 per year

Turnaround time

You can apply and receive a decision from QuickBridge on the same day.

Expert’s Take

QuickBridge, which operates as an alternative lender, provides small businesses with funding within a matter of days. Its thorough approval process involves looking at your business as a whole, more than just your credit score. However, for approval, there’s a minimum credit score requirement of 600 and an annual revenue requirement of $250,000, which isn’t the lowest in the industry.

While the speedy lending process may seem attractive, QuickBridge charges interest as a factor rate starting at 1.10 plus an origination fee in the range of 1% to 5%, making the loans quite pricey.

— Abid Salahi, co-founder and CTO, FinlyWealth

BEST FOR SBA LOANS

SmartBiz

SmartBiz
4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Loan amounts

Up to $5 million

APR range

As low as 9.99%

Minimum Credit Score

650

SmartBiz

Up to $5 million

As low as 9.99%

650

Editor’s Take

SmartBiz is an AI-lending platform that connects business owners with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, term loans and flexible financing options. SBA loans of up to $5 million and term loans of up to $500,000 are available.

When you apply for a loan through SmartBiz Loans, you may receive several offers from different lenders within its network to help you find the lowest interest rate or best terms.

Pros & Cons
  • Offers prequalification
  • Competitive interest rates
  • Good customer reviews
  • Requires business lien and personal guarantee
  • Stringent qualification requirements

Details

Eligibility: SmartBiz requires a minimum personal credit score of 650 to qualify for a business term loan, 650 for an SBA 7(a) loan and 675 for a commercial real estate loan. Businesses must have at least two years of history to qualify for an SBA or business term loan.

Turnaround time: SmartBiz does not disclose its turnaround times. However, it may take between 3 days to several weeks to receive your funds, depending on your loan type.

Summary: Best Long-term Business Loans

Company Forbes Advisor Rating Loan amounts APR Time in business Minimum credit score Learn More
Lendio 4.5 4.5-removebg-preview-1 $500 to $5 million As low as 3% 6 months 560 Learn More On Lendio's Website
National Funding 4.5 4.5-removebg-preview $5,000 to $500,000 Buy rates start at 1.11% 6 months 600 Learn More On National Funding's Website
Funding Circle 4.0 4.5-removebg-preview $25,000 to $500,000 As low as 7.49% 2 years 660 Learn More From participating partners via businessloans.com's website.
TD Bank 4.0 4.5-removebg-preview $10,000 to $1 million Not disclosed 1 year 660 Learn More From participating partners via businessloans.com's website.
QuickBridge 4.0 4.5-removebg-preview $10,000 to $500,000 Factor rates start at 1.11 6 months 600 Learn More On Quickbridge's Website
SmartBiz 4.0 4.5-removebg-preview Up to $5 million As low as 9.99% 2 years 650

Tips to Compare Long-term Business Loans

When searching for the right long-term business loan, consider features such as repayment terms, interest rates, fees and more. Here are some tips for comparing long-term business loans:

  • Look for repayment terms that align with your budget and goals. If you need a good amount of time to pay back your loan, look for a lender that offers a longer repayment term. Stretching out your loan can make your monthly payments more affordable, but keep in mind that it can also lead to higher interest charges over time.
  • Compare interest rates to find the lowest one. When you borrow a business loan, you’ll have to pay back the amount you borrow, plus interest. Checking your rates with multiple lenders can help you find a loan with a competitive rate.
  • Watch out for additional fees. Loan fees can also add to your costs of borrowing, so keep an eye out for origination, administrative or other fees that could make your long-term business loan more expensive.
  • Find out a lender’s minimum and maximum loan amounts. Every lender sets its own loan amounts, and some offer higher limits to borrowers with excellent credit or hefty business revenue. Find out how much a lender can offer you to make sure it meets your needs.
  • Ask how long it will take to get your loan. Some lenders can process loan applications quickly, while others may take a few weeks to release your funds. If you have an immediate need for a loan, prioritize lenders that offer speedy loan disbursement.
  • Review eligibility requirements to borrow a loan. Lenders may require a certain credit score, annual revenue, time in business or other criteria to qualify for a loan.
  • Evaluate the lender’s customer support options. If you’ve found a lender that offers what you’re looking for, consider its customer support options before you make your final decision. A quality customer support team can make or break your borrowing experience, so review the options and read over customer reviews to see what previous borrowers have to say about the lender.

What Is Considered a Long-term Business Loan?

A long-term business loan is a type of business loan with a relatively long repayment period, typically spanning three to 10 years. Some long-term business loans, such as certain types of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, offer repayment periods of up to 25 years.

Loan amounts vary, but they will typically be larger than the amount you’d see on short-term business loans. You can find long-term business loans from the SBA, banks and alternative lenders.

You can use these loans to purchase equipment, fund construction projects, invest in land or real estate, expand your workforce or pay for other expenses that will grow your business.

Long-term vs. Short-term Business Loans

While long-term business loans have repayment periods of three to 10 years or more, short-term business loans often have repayment periods of three months to three years.

The length of repayment isn’t the only difference between long-term and short-term business loans, though. Here are some other ways to distinguish these two loan types from each other:

  • Repayment schedule. You usually pay a long-term business loan back with monthly payments, while a short-term loan might require weekly or even daily payments.
  • Interest rate. Rates may be lower on long-term loans than short-term loans, though the rate you get will depend on your creditworthiness.
  • Loan amounts. You may be able to borrow $6 million or more with a long-term loan, while short-term loans could be as small as $1,000.
  • Borrowing criteria. Lender requirements are more stringent for a long-term loan and may require good credit, several years in business and strong annual revenue. Short-term loans may have more flexible credit requirements and could be available to individuals who are just starting their businesses.
  • Time to fund. It may take longer for a lender to process a long-term loan, especially if it’s a large loan amount, whereas short-term loan funds might be available within 24 hours.
  • Loan purpose. A long-term loan is often used to fuel serious business growth, whether through buying equipment, hiring employees or completing renovations. A short-term loan, on the other hand, may be used to pay for emergency expenses, cover a gap in cash flow or take advantage of a short-term business opportunity.

How Do Long-term Business Loans Work?

Long-term business loans typically offer a lump sum upfront that you can use toward your business expenses. You’ll pay back the loan on a monthly basis, making payments toward both your principal balance and the interest that has accrued.

The longer your repayment period, the lower your monthly payments will be. At the same time, you’ll be in debt for longer and pay more interest charges as a result. Although your loan may seem more affordable from month to month, the total cost will increase as you add years to your repayment period.

Along with interest, your lender might also charge fees, such as an origination fee, administrative fee or late fee. Some lenders may also levy prepayment penalties for paying back a loan ahead of schedule.

Types of Long-term Business Loans

Various financial institutions offer long-term business loans. Here are a few loan types to consider.

1. Online Loans

Online financial companies provide business loans, though the repayment periods may not be as long as the ones you’d find from a bank or credit union.

Some online lenders have terms that max out at five years, for instance. Plus, some offer lower loan amounts. For example, a loan from BlueVine can’t exceed $250,000, while a loan from Fundbox maxes out at $150,000.

On a positive note, some online lenders can process your application quickly, sometimes funding your loan in a few days while a traditional bank could take several weeks.

2. SBA Loans

SBA loans offer competitive rates and repayment periods of up to 25 years. There are different types of SBA loans with varying amounts. SBA 7(a) loans, for example, range from $25,000 to $5 million. SBA microloans offer loan terms of up to six years, but the maximum microloan amount is $50,000.

3. Bank Loans

Traditional banks are another place to look for long-term business loans. Rates and terms will vary by institution, but most banks consider your credit, revenue, profitability and time in business when evaluating your application for a loan. Some may also require collateral to borrow the loan so they can recoup their losses if you fall behind on payments.

4. Credit Union Loans

Some credit unions also offer long-term business loans with competitive rates and terms. As with banks, credit unions review your personal and business financial situation when determining whether you qualify for a business loan. Unlike banks, though, credit unions may require you to become a member in order to borrow a loan.

Methodology

We reviewed popular lenders based on 16 data points in the categories of loan details, loan costs, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and the application process. We chose the best lenders based on the weighting assigned to each category:

  • Loan cost: 35%
  • Loan details: 25%
  • Customer experience: 20%
  • Eligibility and accessibility: 10%
  • Application process: 10%

Within each major category, we also considered several characteristics, including available loan amounts, repayment terms and applicable fees. We also looked at minimum credit score and time in business requirements and the geographic availability of the lender. Finally, we evaluated each provider’s customer support tools, borrower perks and features that simplify the borrowing process—like online applications, prequalification options and mobile apps.

Where appropriate, we awarded partial points depending on how well a lender met each criterion.

To learn more about how Forbes Advisor rates lenders, and our editorial process, check out our Loans Rating & Review Methodology.

Find the Best Small Business Loans of 2024

Next Up In Business Loans

Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
Rebecca Safier
Personal Finance Writer

With nearly a decade covering personal finance, Rebecca Safier simplifies loans and other complex financial topics to help people manage their money with confidence. Her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor, Buy Side from WSJ, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek Vault and other publications. Rebecca has her student loan certification from the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors and her Master of Education in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

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