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There are seasons of low revenue or other factors that can temporarily reduce working capital, putting a business in the midst of financial hardship. As per the 2025 Report on Employer Firms, approximately 56% businesses struggle to pay operating expenses, one of the most common financial challenges they face. Working capital loans can be helpful in this situation; however, it’s difficult to obtain them. We are Lion Investing, a team of professionals dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of the application process and get a working capital loan.
A working capital loan is a short-term business loan that helps companies repay their operating expenses, such as payroll and wages, employee benefits, rent and lease payments, utility bills, supplies, insurance, and short-term debts. The amount of this loan is calculated using a working capital loan formula, which is current assets - current liabilities.
If you borrow working capital for immediate expenses while waiting for a larger, permanent source of funding, this is called a working capital bridge loan.
Depending on your business needs, you can use a working capital loan to:
These loans can help companies maintain smooth operations during periods of uneven cash flow, ensuring the timely payment of bills and other expenses.
Businesses that experience seasonal fluctuations can use these loans to cover costs during off-peak periods.
If your business is facing some unexpected expenses, a working capital loan can provide you with quick access to funds.
Business owners can also use these loans as a short-term investment, such as marketing campaigns or purchasing additional inventory to grow the company.
There are 6 types of working capital loans.
Short-term loans are repaid with interest over 18 months or less. These are easier to obtain and best for businesses needing quick cash. Generally, these loans require collateral, such as property or an asset. However, you can take this loan without collateral in certain conditions, like a high CIBIL score. If you obtain the loan without collateral, this is called a working capital loan, unsecured.
You can enroll in an SBA working capital program to get a loan. There are two programs, SBA 7 (a) and 7(a) Express loan. In the Express program, SBA lenders provide up to $500,000 with a fast review time. The standard SBA 7(a) loan program offers up to $5 million, but the process takes longer time to complete.
A business line of credit is another type of small business working capital loan that helps manage cash flow and cover small expenses. Like a credit card, it offers a set credit limit to borrow from, and interest is charged only on the amount withdrawn.
Invoice factoring refers to a company selling its unpaid invoices to a factoring company at a discount in exchange for immediate cash to cover working capital expenses. The factoring company then collects payments from the business’s customers.
Inventory financing is a short-term working capital loan that provides funds to purchase inventory, and it uses the inventory itself as collateral. The financed amount and interest rates can vary, and since inventory depreciates over time, the loan amount may not reflect its original purchase price.
The merchant cash advance is the last type of working capital loan, and it provides cash upfront in return for a fixed percentage of future credit card sales. Automatic withdrawals are made daily or weekly from the borrower’s bank account.
Here are a few pros and cons of working capital loans that business owners should be aware of.
Generally, these loans are funded within a few days; however, traditional bank lenders can take up to a few weeks. These loans typically don’t need business or personal assets to back them. It helps individuals qualify for a loan, even if they have no valuable business assets. Eligibility requirements are lenient, like you should have a 600 personal credit score and 6 months in business. You are free to use these loans to fulfill any needs of your business.These loans have higher interest rates for people with low credit scores. Short-term loans offer repayment terms of 24 months or less, and may require daily or weekly repayments. Lenders are likely to offer lower loan amounts, like $250,000 or less. The exact amount depends on the business’s financial profile and its ability to repay the loan. The criteria of eligibility for a working capital loan will vary depending on the type of loan and lender you choose. Some general requirements are as follows:
Online lenders accept 6 months in business, while you may need 2 years in business if you go with a major bank.
Traditional banks approve loans with a CIBIL score of at least 670; however, online lenders approve loans with a score of 600 or even less.
Online lenders accept $100,000 in annual revenue; however, banks may want $150,000 to $200,000 annually.
The process for obtaining a working capital loan differs based on the type of loan product and the lender you choose. The following are some general steps that will help you find, apply for, and obtain a loan for your small business.
Determine how much money you need, how frequently you can make payments, and whether you have other funding sources.
Conduct research on different types of loan products and select the best fit as per your business’s needs.
Ensure that your qualifications meet the requirements for the loan you will apply for.
Compare multiple small business lenders (their terms, conditions, and fees) that align with your needs and qualifications and choose the right fit.
Collect relevant documents, such as financial records, business plans, and cash flow projections, and submit your application to the selected lender.
After you submit your application, stay in touch with the lender to ensure the process goes smoothly and you receive funds promptly.
So, you can now apply for as many working capital loans as you want. The following steps will help you throughout the process. However, obtaining the loan would take more than just following the steps given here. At Lion Investment, we help you deal with your lender and each complex situation that arises. We make sure your loan application and disbursal are as smooth as they can be.
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410-844-6667
100 West Road Suite 300 Towson, MD 21204, USA
broker@lioninvestments.org