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Guides

Plain-language guides to small-business financing, each checked against its sources and dated.

SBA loans

  • SBA loans in 2026: 7(a), 504 and microloans

    SBA 7(a), 504 and microloans side by side: maximum amounts, terms, rate caps, collateral rules and the 2026 ownership change. Checked against sba.gov, October 2026.

    Updated 9 minute read

  • SBA loan changes in 2026

    What changed in SBA lending in 2026: the citizenship rule for owners, the end of SBSS screening, the $10 million combined limit and SOP 50 10 8.1, with SBA sources.

    Updated 6 minute read

  • SBA 7(a), 504 or Express: which to ask for

    Compare SBA 7(a), 504 and SBA Express loans: maximum amounts, guaranty share, terms, down payment and what each pays for, so you know which one to ask for.

    Updated 5 minute read

Equipment

  • Equipment: lease or buy?

    Leasing or buying equipment for a restaurant, shop or trade business: how each works, the total cost to compare and where Section 179 fits. Ask your tax pro.

    Updated 6 minute read

Lines of credit and term loans

  • Working capital loan or term loan: which fits?

    Compare working-capital financing and term loans: how each is repaid, what each usually costs, when each fits and how a merchant cash advance differs from both.

    Updated 7 minute read

  • Financing a young business that already has revenue

    Under two years in business but already earning? See which financing types are realistic, what lenders check for newer businesses and which options cost most.

    Updated 6 minute read

Advances

  • Consolidating business debt

    How consolidating business debt works, when a term loan can replace costly advances, what SBA refinancing can and can't cover, and the risks to check first.

    Updated 6 minute read

Business credit

  • How to build business credit

    How business credit scores work (PAYDEX, Intelliscore, FICO SBSS), what moves them and the steps that help most. No quick fixes, just what lenders check.

    Updated 6 minute read