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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

National Funding Business Loan Review

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
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  • Estimated factor rate: Rates start from 1.11 for term loans
  • Best for: Small business owners looking for loan and equipment financing options that are quick and cheap.

Pros and cons of National Funding

ProsCons

  Next-day funding

  Early payoff discount

  No down payment needed

  Lowest payment guarantee

  Only two loan options

  Misleading website marketing make it appear like the lender offers more than two loan options

  Steep business income requirement

National Funding small business loans review

National Funding is a San Diego, Calif.-based online small business financing company. It’s been around since 1999, and since then the company claims it’s offered over $4.5 billion in funding to over 75,000 businesses. Currently, the company only offers two loan options: a business term loan that you can use for a wide range of purposes, and equipment financing that you can use to purchase machinery for your shop.

Who is National Funding for?

  • You need quick funding. In some cases, National Funding can get the cash to your business bank account in 24 hours if you’re approved.
  • You’re a sports fan in Southern California. National Funding loans are available anywhere in the U.S., but the company does sponsor sports teams like the Los Angeles Kings and the San Diego Padres in its home region.
  • You’re looking for low rates. The business loan interest rates that National Funding offers on the low end are very reasonable, and the company also offers a low-payment guarantee and early payoff discount.

National Funding small business financing at a glance

ProductLoan amountsRepayment termStarting rateFees
Term loans$5,000 to $500,0004 to 24 monthsFactor rate: 1.11Origination fee: 1.00% to 2.00%
Equipment financing$3,000 to $150,00024 to 60 monthsNot disclosedOrigination fee: 1.00% to 2.00%

Term loans

National Funding advertises that its business term loans can be used for a wide range of purposes, such as working capital, short-term, long-term or first-time businesses, and across a wide range of industries — including IT consultants, farmers, landscapers, retailers and more —  but these generally appear to be the same loan product.

Unfortunately, these loans do come with an origination fee, but it’s a relatively small one at 1.00% to 2.00% of your loan amount. National Funding charges a factor rate for these loans in lieu of an interest rate. We aren’t a fan of this calculation method for loans because it obscures the true cost of lending if you’re trying to compare it with other APR-based loans, which is more typical.

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Equipment financing

National Funding will finance loans and leases for new or used small business equipment, such as skid-steer loaders, manufacturing machines, lab analysis tools and more. Given that National Funding‘s upper limit is $150,000, you won’t be able to finance any large and specialized equipment such as combine harvesters or excavators, but it should cover most business owner’s needs just fine.

National Funding borrower requirements

Minimum annual revenue$250,000
Minimum time in business6 months
Minimum credit score 600

National Funding‘s business loan requirements aren’t as strict as many other lenders, especially banks. Its loans are available to newer startup businesses, as long as you’ve been up and running for at least half a year. The income requirements are relatively high, however, at a quarter of a million dollars. (You’d be hard-pressed to find many brand-new businesses earning quite that much.) The credit requirements are a bit easier to meet, however, and borrowers with a fair credit score or better are eligible for loans.

National Funding doesn’t disclose what documents you’ll need in order to apply, but most lenders will want to see documents related to your business finances, such as recent business bank account statements and current profit and loss statements. You may also need to provide copies of your driver’s license or documents related to your business structure, such as operating agreements or articles of incorporation.

Alternatives to National Funding

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
National FundingFunding CircleNavy Federal Credit Union
Minimum credit score 600660 for most financing options, or 650 (recommended) for SBA loansNot disclosed
Loan products offeredTerm loans and equipment loansTerm loans (including SBA loans) and lines of creditCommercial real estate, lines of credit, term loans, vehicle loans
Time to fundingAs soon as 24 hoursAs soon as 24 hours7-10 business days
Starting interest rates
  • Varies
  • 1.11 factor rate for term loans
Varies based on borrower credit profile17.90% APR for lines of credit
Maximum loan size$500,000 for term loans, $150,000 for equipment financing$250,000 for lines of credit, $500,000 for loans, or $5,000,000 for SBA loansVaries
Minimum annual revenue$250,000$50,000 for term loans, or $500,000 for SBA loansNot disclosed

National Funding vs. Funding Circle

Funding Circle is an international lender licensed to offer business loans in all 50 U.S. states. It offers other options for financing that National Funding doesn’t: chiefly, low-cost SBA loans and business lines of credit. It doesn’t offer any specific equipment loans, but you may be able to use an SBA loan or a term loan to buy equipment. You’ll need slightly higher credit in order to apply, but if you’re eligible, you’ll likely find that Funding Circle is a more upfront lender.

National Funding vs. Navy Federal Credit Union

If you prefer working with nonprofit credit unions and you have a tie to the military, you might prefer working with Navy Federal Credit Union for equipment financing options. Compared with National Funding, Navy Federal doesn’t offer as many details about what requirements you’ll need to meet for its business financing options. However, credit unions in general have a reputation as being easier to work with and cheaper than other lenders, if you’re willing to wait for the slower funding times.