Understanding Average Small Business Loan Interest Rates

| StreetShares Blog

What Is The Average Interest On a Small Business Loan?

In an ideal world, you’d be able to determine the exact average small business loan interest rate in order to scope whether a financial institution is taking you for a ride or being extremely generous. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as one specific average interest on a small business loan or even an average SBA loan interest rate due to many contributing factors.

Factors Affecting Your Small Business Loan Rate:

Your banking relationship

When searching for an affordable APR, it may be a good idea to conduct all of your banking needs with one specific bank or credit union. Financial institutions are more likely to offer affordable loan options if you have an established repayment record with them, ensuring that you’re able to repay your debt obligations on time or whether you’ll be a financial risk to their institution.

The financial institution choice

Of course, your choice of financial lender will determine your average interest on a small business loan. Whether you choose to seek help from a large national bank or you choose an online lender, you may find that the average small business loan rate varies according to your needs.

The best way to determine which lender you choose is by taking into consideration your banking relationship with them and the type of services they offer for your business.

Your business credit score

The better your credit score, the lower your interest rate. Banks often require a FICO credit score of 680 while some alternative lenders only require a credit score of 500. You need to be able to meet the lender’s minimum credit score requirement in order to qualify for a small business loan.

Read: Using Business Credit Cards To Establish Your Small Business Credit

Current & projected business finances

In some cases, lender’s will require insight into the amount of time you’ve been in business as well as your minimum annual revenue. They need to see whether you’ve had enough traction to keep your business going in order for them to invest in you. If your business seems like a fly-by-night, you most likely won’t find any financial institution willing to support your cause without a high APR.

Detailed business plan

Having a well-thought-out business plan will not only help you to see your business for what it is, but it’s a great way to show a lender how you plan to use the loan that they’re potentially providing and how the loan can benefit your business in the long run. It shows that you either have your ducks in a row and that you’re trustworthy or that you don’t have a clear vision of where you’d like your business to go.

The goal is to find the most affordable average small business loan interest rate to match your budget by being prepared and doing enough research to know what’s out there.

Typical small business loans available:

Installment Loan

This particular type of small business loan consists of borrowing a set amount and making monthly installments (payments) including the fees and interest rates until the amount is fully paid off. Once you no longer have any amount to pay towards the lender, the loan agreement is complete.

Line Of Credit

With a line of credit, you have a maximum amount that you’re able to borrow at any time and you pay back what you’re able to, which can be a minimum amount. This allows you to have working capital in your business in order to ensure continued growth.

Average Small Business Loan Rates, Lenders & Loan Products

The type of business loan and the chosen lender will determine your APR rates, which is why it’s important to compare each in order to discover an “average small business loan rate” before signing on the dotted line. As a potential business owner, you have the option to choose a financial institution that will not only serve your specific needs but also offer competitive interest rates in order to help your business grow.

In general, the average small business loan  rate provided by a lender such as a bank range between 4% - 13% compared to alternative or online lenders that offer annual interest rates of 7% - 100%. When looking for an alternative to a small business loan, the average SBA loan interest rate tend to be competitive with the APR offered by bank loans.

Source: ValuePenguin

Then again, the type of loan product you choose will also greatly affect the average small business loan interest rate you’ll receive.

Source: ValuePenguin

Small Business Loans For Veterans & Entrepreneurs

At StreetShares, we offer competitive small business loans at affordable small business loan interest rates in order to take your business to the next level. Compared to alternative lenders, our average small business loan interest rate caters to your needs by offering a one lump sum option or secure funding when you need it.

Source: nerdwallet

• Weekly repayment terms
• No repayment penalties
• 3 – 36 months loan terms
• Minimum business age of 6 months with $100K in revenue
• No collateral required
• Multiple loan options for flexibility
• Ideal for veterans based on background commonality with investors
• Perfect for established businesses
• No application fees

Learn more about our small business loans for veterans and entrepreneurs.

Does an average small business loan interest rate exist?

When comparing various financial institutions, the “average” business loan interest rate becomes too broad to determine a definitive answer.

On average, the APR for an installment loan range between 2.5% - 71% while a line of credit can average 8% - 80% APR.

As a business owner, it all depends on whether the amount is fair to your specific circumstances. Is the chosen APR something you can afford or should you find an alternative option based on your specific needs and budget?

This communication is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be an advertisement, a solicitation, or constitute professional advice, including legal, financial, or tax advice, nor is StreetShares providing advice on any particular situation. This is not an offer of credit. All applications are subject to approval, no guarantee of funding.