Don’t have the time to go through thousands of lenders on the web and compare their main features?
Fundera does the legwork for you and delivers a hand-picked selection of the best banks for your business.
Best for business owners who want to compare multiple financing offers with one application.
Fortunly Rating
Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.
- Easy application process
- Thoroughly analyzed lenders
- Lending specialist assistance
- Transparent fees and terms
- No cost to use the marketplace
- Comprehensive explanations of types of loans
- One application can unlock multiple loan options
- Some lenders may have additional fees
- SBA funding can take weeks
- Qualification requirements vary a lot
Fundera Overview
Fundera is not a lender; it’s an online marketplace that lets you find the perfect lender for your business. You choose the type of loan and the amount you need, then the software matches you up with the right bank. After that, you get in touch with a lending specialist who guides you through your options. It’s fast, effortless, and reliable.
You’ll be the beneficiary of Fundera’s strict criteria and high standards for choosing lenders. While various competitors rely on endless lists of financial providers, Fundera uses only a handful of the best ones. You don’t need to waste your time on mediocre offers or second-rate lenders with questionable reputations.
In just over six years of existence, Fundera has managed to help more than 35,000 businesses secure more than $1 billion worth of loans. The company’s team consists mainly of young, energetic people who are ready to fully commit themselves to every account.
Fundera by NerdWallet now says it has helped more than 77,000 small businesses, supported over 114,000 loans, and facilitated more than $5.4 billion in funding.
Financing Options
Fundera covers a wide range of loans. Whether you need a classic SBA loan, essential equipment financing, or a handy merchant cash advance, it’s all there. The site includes helpful descriptions of every type of loan available so you can learn more about each option before going forward. Here is a short breakdown.
SBA Loans
SBA loans are among the most popular financing options. They can offer lower rates and longer repayment terms thanks to government-backed guarantees.
To qualify for an SBA loan, you’ll usually need solid credit and healthy business finances. Exact qualification standards vary by lender.
SBA Microloans
In case a traditional SBA loan is too much for your small business to handle, there is also the option of a microloan.
These are great choices for companies that are just starting out and need less capital than a full-sized SBA loan would provide.
As with other products on the platform, exact credit score, loan size, and rate requirements depend on the lender you match with.
Business Lines of Credit
Getting an SBA loan can take weeks. Now imagine going through all of that only to realize that you need another financing option sooner than you thought. In that case, a business line of credit is the way to go.
You gain access to a larger pool of funds and withdraw funds as you need them. The biggest benefit is that you pay interest only on the amount you’ve taken.
Term Loans
Term loans are used to finance one-off business investments. You immediately get an entire sum, which is repaid at a fixed interest rate. It’s a fast way to deal with pressing issues with clear terms of repayment and no surprises.
Fundera says short-term loans typically run up to 24 months, while long-term loans can extend up to 10 years or longer depending on the lender and product.
Small Business Equipment Financing
Fundera equipment financing has a specific purpose – to help you obtain crucial working tools for your business. Although the amounts can vary, this type of loan generally covers a large share of the cost of the equipment.
One major benefit of this type of loan is that the equipment functions as collateral. Because of that, you may not need as strong a credit profile as you would for some unsecured loan options.
Invoice Financing
If you have outstanding receivables that you can’t collect immediately, invoice financing might be a good solution.
On the current platform, invoice factoring is described as an advance that is typically up to 90% of the invoice value.
Merchant Cash Advance
Another of Fundera’s numerous financing types is the merchant cash advance. While this is more of a financial arrangement than a classic loan, it’s a great option for quick funds with somewhat flexible requirements.
MCAs are among the easiest forms of financing to qualify for, but they also tend to be one of the most expensive.
Commercial Real Estate Loans
undera now lists commercial real estate loans alongside its other main loan categories, describing them as options for buying, refinancing, or renovating business property.
Application Process
The application process is pretty easy and straightforward. If you need guidance, you can always turn to Fundera’s helpful customer-support team for step-by-step instructions.
- Create an account
You create your Fundera account by clicking on the “Start Your Application” button or choosing the amount you want from a popup window as you browse through the loans. Either way, you end up with a blank form that needs to be filled out. You’ll need to provide basic details about your business like contact information, credit score, and revenue.
- Pick a lender
Once you’ve created your account, you’ll get a list of lenders that match your needs. In addition, you’ll be assigned a lending specialist to help you every step of the way. If you don’t feel comfortable with this intrusion, you can simply do the calculations yourself using the website’s free calculator.
- Apply to lender
Now comes another application, this time with your lender of choice. In most cases, the lender will give you a list of paperwork you must submit with your application, but you can prepare some of the basics ahead of time. The company will give you an offer based on its requirements and your personal details.
One of the biggest advantages here is that the initial Fundera application uses a soft credit inquiry, which won’t affect your credit score. A hard credit pull may happen only if you move forward with a lender.
Information Needed to Apply
The documentation you need to apply depends on the type of loan and the lender itself. Some of the basics include:
- Copies of federal tax returns
- Copy of a recent financial statement
- Basic business and personal information for prequalification
- Verification of rental space
- Valid ID
Features
You’d think that a marketplace like this would be a lot more exclusive with its credit score requirements, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Fundera itself does not impose one universal minimum credit score, annual revenue floor, or years-in-business requirement across all products. Those vary by lender and loan type.
Fundera’s intermediary services are available only in the USA. The company currently holds a BBB rating of A+, which means it is a reliable company with a proven track record. It is also BBB accredited.
The platform is built around three big selling points: it’s free to use, it lets you compare multiple options in one place, and some borrowers can receive funding in as little as one business day.
Loan Amount and APR Details
Depending on what type of business loan you’re looking for, you can expect a wide range of amounts.
Working out the APR for each provider can be tricky. It depends on a number of factors, and lenders aren’t always keen on disclosing all of their fees.
Eligible and Non-Eligible Businesses
As Fundera’s partners offer a wide range of loans for different types of businesses, the range of eligibility requirements is also quite diverse.
- SBA loans are open to both big and small businesses as long as they have a good credit score.
- Short-term lines of credit are usually reserved for younger companies and startups, while experienced companies might be better off looking for other loan types.
- Equipment financing loans are open to all businesses. Since the equipment acts as collateral, none of the other parameters are that important.
- Invoice financing is reserved for companies with a business-to-business model that have outstanding receivables.
- Merchant cash advances have very low requirements, which means they’re available to almost any business.
Keep in mind that just because you were rejected for a loan at some point in the past doesn’t mean you should give up. Fundera has a handy tool called “eligibility tracker” that lets you know when a new service appears that might be compatible with your business.
Repayment Terms
Depending on the type of loan you choose, you could be looking at daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly payments.
SBA loans are usually paid off on a monthly or quarterly basis, since loan terms can go up to 25 years. With invoice financing, it’s a slightly different approach, as repayment depends on the invoiced company. Merchant cash advances use a special system where the fee is taken directly from credit/debit card sales with additional costs on a daily basis.
Because Fundera is a marketplace, repayment schedules are one of the biggest variables from one offer to another. That makes it especially important to compare not just rates, but also payment frequency and total repayment burden before signing.
Customer Support & User Satisfaction
Fundera by NerdWallet built its customer support system around support from funding specialists who help borrowers compare offers and navigate the process. You can contact the service via a toll-free number, or by email.
When it comes to user sentiment, Fundera holds a strong 4.8/5 rating on Trustpilot, based on more than 1,100 reviews, with the majority of users praising the company for its personalized approach.
The Bottom Line
Fundera is a diverse marketplace for loans that always prioritizes quality over quantity.
You can find everything from SBA loans and the business lines of credit to invoice financing and merchant cash advances here. With help from the company’s team of dedicated lending specialists, you’ll find a perfect fit for your business in no time.
The strongest reasons to use Fundera today are simple: it’s free, it uses a soft credit pull to show matches, it lets you compare multiple offers from one application, and some borrowers can receive funding in as little as one business day.
FAQ
Is Fundera a direct lender?
No. Fundera is a business financing marketplace, not a direct lender. It helps borrowers compare multiple loan options and then apply with the lending partner that best fits their needs.
Does Fundera charge borrowers a fee?
No. Fundera says its marketplace is free to use. Any loan fees come from the lender and financing product you choose.
How fast can Fundera get you funded?
Some lenders on the platform can approve and issue funds in as little as one business day, although timing depends on the loan type and lender.