How We Categorized the Options
Business funding companies fall into five categories:
- Banks (national & community) — Lowest rates, hardest qualification, slowest decision (60-120 days for SBA).
- SBA-preferred lenders — Bank or non-bank lenders authorized for SBA programs. Lowest accessible rate.
- Large online lenders (Bluevine, OnDeck, Kapitus, Fora) — Faster than banks, generally cap $250K-$500K.
- Direct private lenders (us, Crestmont, SBG, Fox) — $25K-$5M, funded in hours, FICO 500+ accepted.
- Marketplace brokers — Middlemen shopping your application to multiple lenders. Adds fees and slower decisioning.
When Direct Private Lenders Win
- You need money in 4-24 hours
- Amount needed is $250K-$5M (above online lender ceilings)
- FICO is 500-680 (below typical bank thresholds)
- You don't have time for SBA documentation
- You want a single direct relationship, not a broker layer
When Online Lenders Win
- Amount needed is under $250K
- You want a software-driven application experience
- Your business has been operating 2+ years with strong financials
- You can wait 1-7 days for funding
When SBA Wins
- You can wait 60-120 days for approval
- You want the lowest possible rate
- Amount needed is $100K-$5M
- You have 2-3 years of clean tax returns
- You can pledge collateral or strong personal guarantee
Honest Self-Assessment: Where Direct Fast Funding Fits
We are a direct private lender focused on fast deployment of capital to operating US businesses across all industries. Operators Across Construction, Trucking, Restaurants, Retail, Healthcare, Manufacturing.
We are the right choice if you need real money in 4-24 hours, accept FICO 500+, and want a single direct relationship. We are not the right choice if you have time and credit for SBA at lower rate, or if your need is under $25K (we don't fund below that).