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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.

American Express Business Loan Review

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.

  Estimated APR range: 6.98% to 19.97%

  Best for: Current American Express Business cardholders looking for additional business funding.

Pros and cons of American Express Business Loans

ProsCons

  No prepayment, application or origination fees

  No collateral required

  Can be used to consolidate business debt (as long as it’s not an American Express account)

  Must be American Express Business Card Member for at least one year

  Late payment or insufficient fund fees of $39

  Cannot be used to pay off American Express credit card debt

Table of contents

American Express Business Loans review

American Express is a payments company best known for its suite of personal and business credit cards. The company also provides unsecured small business loans with fairly competitive interest rates. However, you must be an existing cardholder with a small business credit card in order to apply, and even still, American Express Business Loans may not always be open to new applicants.

Who are American Express Business Loans for?

  • Existing Amex cardholders. Must have an American Express Business credit card for at least one year.
  • Business owners looking to consolidate business debt. Can be used to consolidate existing business credit card debt not associated with American Express.
  • Those who want a loan without a lot of fees. You only pay a fee if your payment is late or have insufficient funds.

American Express Business Loans at a glance

ProductLoan amountsRepayment termEstimated APR rangeFees
Business term loan$3,500 to $75,0006 to 36 months6.98% to 19.97%$39 late fee or fee for insufficient funds

Term loans

American Express Business Loans are only available to pre-approved American Express Business Card Members. These short-term business loans can be used to help with funding for a small business or to consolidate existing business credit card debt. But, there’s one important catch: You cannot use this loan to consolidate debt from American Express credit cards.

Loan amounts are between $3,500 and $75,000 with repayment terms of 6, 12, 24 or 36 months. Annual percentage rates (APRs) for these business loans range from 6.98% to 19.97%. There are no application fees or prepayment penalties with the product, but if you are late to pay or don’t have enough funds, you’ll be hit with a $39 fee.

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American Express Business Loan borrower requirements

Minimum annual revenueNot disclosed
Minimum time in businessNot disclosed
Minimum credit scoreNot disclosed

While American Express may look at your company’s income and revenue like most business lenders, it does have one unique restriction: In order to be eligible, you’ll need to be an existing American Express Business Card member without any negative payment history, and a U.S. citizen or resident who is 18 years of age or older.

When applying for an American Express Business Loan, you’ll need to provide a valid email address, along with the loan amount, preferred repayment term and the financial reason your small business needs the funds. Only once you’re approved, will American Express determine if you can borrow the amount requested and how high your business loan interest rates will be.

Required documents

It’s not clear what the required documents needed to get an American Express Business Loan are. But keep in mind, many lenders require documents that can include personal and business tax returns, bank and income statements and a business plan, among others.

Alternatives to American Express Business Loans

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.
American Express Business LoansAmerican Express Business Line of CreditOnDeck
Minimum credit scoreNot disclosed660625
Loan products offeredBusiness term loanBusiness line of credit
  • Business term loan
  • Business line of credit
Time to funding3 to 5 business days1 to 3 business daysAs soon as same business day
Starting APR6.98%
  • 3% to 9% for 6-month loans
  • 6% to 18% for 12-month loans
  • 9% to 27% for 18-month loans
27.30%
Maximum loan size$75,000$250,000
  • $100,000 for lines of credit
  • $250,000 for term loans
Minimum annual revenueNot disclosed$36,000$100,000

American Express Business Loans vs. American Express Business Line of Credit

In addition to its American Express Business Loan product, the company also offers the American Express Business Line of Credit. No Amex business credit card is required to apply for the business line of credit, making it a potentially more accessible funding option for small businesses in need of more funding. The minimum annual revenue requirement is also relatively low, making it easier for newer businesses, including startup businesses, who may not yet be bringing in a lot of income to apply. While the business loans product has a relatively transparent APR, the fee structure with the business line of credit product is a bit confusing.

American Express vs. OnDeck

OnDeck offers both term loans and lines of credit but at a much higher APR than American Express. However, OnDeck does not restrict eligibility to cardholders or customers already in its network. Plus, OnDeck’s time to funding is much quicker, so this may be a better option for small businesses looking for fast cash.

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