Best Secured Business Lines of Credit in January 2025

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Wells Fargo Bank: Best for high-revenue companies

$100,000 to $1,000,000

8.00%  Based on the current prime rate of 7.50% + an added 0.50% from Wells Fargo

12 months (with annual review)

Pros
  • High funding amounts
  • Monthly interest-only payments
  • Competitive rates
Cons
  • High annual revenue requirement
  • Charges an origination fee at account opening and on an annual basis
  • Doesn’t list credit score criteria

Why we picked it

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The Wells Fargo Prime Line of Credit provides up to $1,000,000 for established, high-revenue companies to use for a range of short- and long-term expenses. You can enjoy unlimited draws up to your credit limit — only paying interest on withdrawn amounts, plus an annual origination fee.

As a traditional bank with almost 7,000 branches nationwide, Wells Fargo Bank is an ideal one-stop shop for your business needs: business bank accounts, merchant services, credit cards, tailored support and more.

Early-stage startups with limited funds might want to consider the Wells Fargo Small Business Advantage unsecured line of credit instead.

Read our full Wells Fargo Bank review.

How to qualify

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In order to qualify for Wells Fargo Prime Line of Credit, you’ll need to meet its criteria of:

  • Minimum credit score: Not disclosed
  • Minimum time in business: 24 months
  • Minimum annual revenue: $2 million

Chase Bank: Best for SBA Express line of credit

Up to $500,000

10.50% to 14.00%  14.00% for loans $50,000 or less
13.50% for loans $50,001 to $250,000
12.00% for loans $250,001 to $350,000
10.50% for loans above $350,000
Based on the current prime rate of 7.50% + a rate maximum set by the SBA.

12.50% to 15.50%  15.50% for loans $25,000 or less
14.50% for loans $25,001 to $50,000
13.50% for loans $50,001 to $250,000
12.50% for loans above $250,000
Based on the current prime rate of 7.50% + a rate maximum set by the SBA.

Up to 120 months

Pros
  • Faster turnaround than other types of SBA loans
  • SBA Preferred lender
  • Capped interest rates and terms
Cons
  • Must meet SBA size standards
  • Doesn’t disclose interest ranges or eligibility criteria
  • Usually requires a personal guarantee

Why we picked it

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As an SBA Preferred Lender, Chase Bank processes funds faster than standard SBA lenders, making them a solid option if you’re looking for quick access to SBA funds. Turnarounds for an SBA Express loan or line of credit typically take 36 hours, compared to five to 10 business days for an SBA 7(a) loan.

Chase Bank offers SBA Express loans and lines of credit up to $500,000 to companies meeting the SBA size standards. Like all SBA loans, the Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantees a portion of the funds to reduce lender risk. With capped interest rates, an SBA line of credit can help make borrowing more affordable for your business.

Read our full Chase Bank review.

How to qualify

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Although Chase Bank doesn’t list any of its business loan requirements, you may need to meet the following SBA loan requirements to qualify.

  • Minimum credit score: 680 (recommended)
  • Minimum time in business: 24 to 36 months (recommended)
  • Minimum annual revenue: Not specified

Bank of America: Best for building credit

Starting at $1,000

Variable

12 months (with annual review)

Pros
  • Cash-secured line of credit can help establish a positive account history
  • Rate discounts for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members
  • Offers multiple business products and solutions
Cons
  • Doesn’t disclose interest rate ranges
  • Credit limit based on your security deposit
  • Annual fee of $150 (waived the first year)

Why we picked it

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Bank of America’s cash-secured line of credit is our top pick for building credit. With only six months’ business history required, this credit line can boost your business credit profile while improving your chances of securing more financing later.

But it doesn’t work like traditional financing, and isn’t a good option if your business needs new funding coming in. You provide an upfront cash deposit — starting as low as $1,000 – and your credit limit is equal to your deposit.

After a year, you can get your deposit refunded with a successful review. Over time, you can graduate to Bank of America’s unsecured line of credit to access up to $100,000 in flexible funding.

Read our full Bank of America review.

How to qualify

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In order to qualify for the cash-secured business line of credit, you’ll need to meet Bank of America’s criteria of:

  • Minimum credit score: Not disclosed
  • Minimum time in business: 6 months
  • Minimum annual revenue: $50,000

PNC: Best for large amounts

Starting at $100,001

Variable, based on prime rate

Revolving

Pros
  • No specified upper limit for credit lines
  • Monthly interest-only payments
  • Can use as overdraft protection for your PNC business checking account
Cons
  • Minimum credit score or annual revenue requirements not disclosed
  • Not available for startups
  • Charges an annual fee

Why we picked it

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PNC offers a collateralized line of credit for well-established companies needing access to significant funding on an as-needed basis. Credit lines start at $100,001 — with no max limit specified. You can also connect your credit line to your PNC checking account for overdraft protection. While PNC offers interest-only payments, it’s best to make principal payments to avoid additional interest charges. Note that a 0.25% annual fee applies.

PNC also offers a wide range of business services, including payroll services, business credit cards, term loans, commercial loans, vehicle financing, SBA loans and more. If you’re looking for a bank to work with long-term, this can be a major benefit.

Read our full PNC review.

How to qualify

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In order to qualify for the secured business line of credit, you’ll need to meet PNC’s criteria of:

  • Minimum credit score: Not disclosed
  • Minimum time in business: 24 months (in most cases)
  • Minimum annual revenue: Not disclosed

Truist: Best for startups

$3,500 to $250,000

Not disclosed

12 to 60 months

Pros
  • No specified annual revenue or business history requirements
  • Longer terms
  • Wide range of traditional bank products
Cons
  • Limited number of physical branches compared to some traditional banks
  • Charges an origination fee
  • Lack of information on interest rates and credit score requirements

Why we picked it

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While many bank business loans require at least two years of business history, Truist offers up to $250,000 for brand-new companies with no minimum annual revenue requirement. Additionally, you can enjoy longer repayment terms and a wide selection of small business solutions, making Truist a great choice for flexible startup financing.

However, Truist charges an origination fee of 0.50% or $100 (whichever is greater) and doesn’t list potential interest rates or minimum credit score requirements. Collateral is required for lines of credit above $100,000.

Read our full Truist review.

How to qualify

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In order to qualify for a secured business line of credit, you’ll need to meet Truist’s criteria of:

  • Minimum credit score: Not disclosed
  • Minimum time in business: None, but you may need to supply extra documents if you’ve been in business for less than two years
  • Minimum annual revenue: None

What is a secured line of credit?

A secured business line of credit is a type of revolving small business financing that requires collateral to secure the debt. Similar to a credit card, you can draw from your line of credit as often as needed, typically only paying interest on the withdrawn amounts — although some lenders may charge origination or maintenance fees.

To secure your line of credit, your lender may ask for collateral like cash savings, investments, equipment or real estate, which the lender can seize if you fail to repay the debt. In addition to collateral, some lenders may also require one or both of the following:

  • Personal guarantee: This holds you personally liable for the debt if your business can’t keep up with loan payments (or if your business fails).
  • Business lien: Also called a UCC filing or a blanket lien, this allows a lender to claim some or all of your current and future business assets if you default, such as your revenue, savings, equipment and inventory.

Since providing collateral reduces lender risk, borrowers can often get lower rates and more flexible repayment terms with secured lines of credit.

Unsecured vs. secured business line of credit

Both unsecured and secured business lines of credit work the same way: You can withdraw up to your maximum credit limit to cover working capital, inventory, payroll, seasonal dips in revenue and more. Once you repay the debt, you can borrow up to the limit again and again. You don’t have to repay the full balance to keep using your credit line — you can access whatever is available, whenever you need it.

The key difference between unsecured and secured credit lines is that unsecured business loans aren’t backed by collateral.

However, most unsecured loans typically require some form of protection to reduce lender risk, such as a personal guarantee or a blanket lien — especially if you don’t have good credit or high-value assets. Because of this, unsecured business lines tend to have smaller loan amounts, higher rates and shorter repayment terms.

How cash-secured lines of credit work

A cash-secured credit line allows you to borrow against a cash deposit or an existing savings account. This can be a low-risk way to build your business credit and reassure lenders you can handle debt without having to pledge high-value assets.

If you secure your line of credit with a certificate of deposit (CD), savings or money market account, you can typically borrow up to 100% of your collateral balance as often as needed. One benefit is that your savings remains untouched and can continue earning interest. Alternatively, you can fund the account with a security deposit, which is typically refunded at the end of the review period.

To make the most of a cash-secured line of credit, you want to keep up with regular payments. Missing a payment or failing to repay the debt can hurt your credit score and jeopardize your ability to qualify for more significant funding later.

Note that a cash-secured line of credit is considered a stepping stone to more traditional financing options. Since you need to provide initial cash or savings upfront, it’s not ideal for businesses that need additional funding.

Where to get a secured business line of credit

Traditional banks and credit unions

Credit union business financing and traditional bank lines of credit typically have the most competitive rates and flexible terms. To qualify, you will likely need six months to two years of business history, a solid cash flow and a good credit score. Note that processing times for bank loans tend to run slow. Wells Fargo’s secured line of credit, for instance, can take up to two weeks to process and fund.

SBA lenders

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers SBA lines of credit with capped interest rates, including the SBA Express line of credit and four SBA CAPLine programs. While the SBA guarantees a portion of the debt, you must apply directly through an SBA-approved lender. Note that processing times are significantly quicker when you work with an SBA Preferred lender.

Online lenders

Alternative lenders utilize the latest underwriting software to provide quick business loans to a range of business types — from startups to well-established companies. Compared to traditional bank and SBA loans, online lenders typically have lower credit score and business history requirements. But be prepared to pay a higher price for non-bank financing.

How to get a secured business line of credit

Whether you are looking to start a business or are a well-established company, here are six steps to help you get small business financing.

1. Determine your funding needs

Create a detailed business budget to estimate what your business needs right now. Remember, business lines of credit act like a credit card, allowing you to withdraw funds on an as-needed basis. Unlike business term loans, you typically only pay interest on withdrawn amounts.

 Use our business loan calculator to estimate how much you could borrow.

2. Evaluate your business qualifications

Each lender has its own set of business loan requirements, such as minimum credit score, business history, annual revenue and collateral requirements. You can monitor your credit scores for free with LendingTree Spring to see where you stand. If you’re buying a franchise, lenders will likely review the franchise’s success rate and earnings, in addition to your personal finances and creditworthiness.

If your options seem limited due to poor credit, try boosting your credit score or adding a creditworthy cosigner to increase the likelihood of approval.

3. Assess your collateral

Collateral requirements vary by lender and loan type, but generally include fixed assets like equipment, invoices or real estate, or financial assets like cash, investments or certificates of deposit. If you’re not sure which type of collateral is best for your business, start by listing your assets and their values on a balance sheet.

Some lenders may specify which types of collateral they will or will not accept. For example, Wells Fargo doesn’t accept real estate as collateral for its Prime Line of Credit. Meanwhile, SBA lenders typically do accept real estate as collateral, with it being the preferred choice for some loan types.

If you are unable to meet the lender’s collateral requirements, try starting with an unsecured line of credit. Find a lender who reports on-time payments to the major credit bureaus, which can help build your credit profile over time.

4. Compare secured business lenders

Shopping around can help you find the best line of credit that fits your business needs. If a lender doesn’t disclose eligibility criteria and business line of credit rates online, contact them to get more information. You can also read our list of small business lender reviews before applying to ensure a lender is a good fit for your company.

5. Gather required documents

Lenders typically require certain legal and financial documents when reviewing your secured business credit line application. While the exact paperwork will vary, here’s a general idea of what you might need to provide:

6. Apply and review

You can complete most credit line applications online, but some traditional lenders might require an in-person appointment. In general, secured loans typically take longer to process and fund since the lender has to review your assets. With SBA loans, for example, it could take up to several months to receive your funds after approval — unless you’re working with an SBA Preferred lender or applying for an SBA Express loan.

Review your business loan agreement before signing on the dotted line to ensure you understand the rates, repayment term and additional fees.

How to compare secured business lines of credit

If you qualify for several credit line offers, picking the best option could be tough. Take a look at the following details to help narrow your options.

Interest rate: Business line of credit rates vary based on your credit profile and the type of lender, with traditional banks typically offering the most competitive rates. While variable rates might seem enticing in the moment, a fixed rate offers more stability over the long term.

Repayment term: Lines of credit could require daily, weekly or monthly payments. Some lenders, like Wells Fargo, require monthly interest-only payments. Crunch the numbers to ensure you can keep up with the repayment schedule.

Time to fund: Online lenders typically fund businesses within one to three business days after approval, with some lenders offering same-day business financing. However, these quick-turnaround loans typically have higher rates and less flexible terms. If you can wait up to two weeks or longer, you will likely receive a more competitive offer from a traditional bank.

Additional fees: Watch out for extra costs associated with business lines of credit, such as origination, maintenance, draw and late fees, as well as business loan prepayment penalties. If possible, opt for a lender with minimal fees so you can better estimate the total cost of borrowing.

Loan purpose: Make sure your potential lender is a good fit for your industry type. For example, you can’t use Bluevine’s line of credit to fund an auto dealership or for political campaigns, among other uses.

Pros and cons of secured business lines of credit

ProsCons
 More lenient qualifications: Collateral can reduce lender risk, helping strengthen your loan application.

 More favorable rates and terms: With the extra security, lenders are typically able to provide lower interest rates and longer terms.

 Greater flexibility: A line of credit allows you to withdraw funds as needed, using the funds to cover a range of small business expenses.
 Assets at risk: If you can’t pay your loan, the lender could seize the assets you pledged as collateral.

 Slower time to funding: Lenders typically need extra time to appraise your collateral, which can lengthen the funding timeline.

 Additional fees: Some lenders charge maintenance and draw fees, as well as annual origination fees.

Alternatives to secured business lines of credit

There are many advantages to secured business lines of credit, such as competitive rates and flexible terms. However, if your business is unable to provide adequate collateral, here are some other funding options to explore.

Unsecured business loans

Physical or financial assets typically are not required to qualify for unsecured business loans. However, some business lenders might require a personal guarantee and/or business lien for an extra layer of protection.

You can also consider other types of business loans with lenient collateral requirements. For example, equipment financing and commercial real estate loans typically don’t require collateral in advance since the property you want to purchase helps secure the debt.

Small business grants

You can apply for a range of small business grants through local and nationwide government and nonprofit organizations and private corporations. While researching and applying for grants can take time and effort, it can be worth it to receive free money for your company.

Business credit cards

Another option for financing everyday expenses is a business credit card. Eligibility requirements tend to be less stringent than traditional business financing, plus you could earn business travel rewards as you spend.

Note that interest rates typically run higher for credit cards than lines of credit, which can add up if you don’t pay off your balance in full every month. You can, however, claim credit card interest as a qualified business tax deduction.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding tends to work best for businesses with a robust online presence, especially if you can offer a specific product or service as a reward for donating. Crowdfunding platforms may take a small fee from donations you receive, but don’t typically charge upfront for the service.

How we chose the best secured business lines of credit

We reviewed 20 leading small business lenders to determine the overall five best secured business lines of credit. To make our list, lenders must meet the following criteria:

  • Rates, terms and fees: We prioritize lenders with competitive rates, limited fees, flexible repayment terms, a range of loan amounts and early payoff discounts.
  • Repayment experience: We consider each lender’s reputation and overall business practices. We also favor lenders that report to all major credit bureaus, offer reliable customer service and provide customer perks, like free business coaching or rewards programs.
  • Qualification criteria: We included options for both new and established businesses with a range of credit scores.
  • Loan amounts: Funding amounts from $1,000 and up to help all sizes of business meet their short- and long-term needs.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, securing a line of credit with collateral can improve your chances of approval and potentially get you a more competitive rate. Acceptable forms of collateral typically include fixed assets like equipment, inventory or real estate, as well as financial assets like cash and certificates of deposit.

Most lenders require a personal FICO Score of 600 or higher when applying for a business line of credit. Providing collateral could help strengthen your application, even if you have a less-than-ideal credit score.
 
Alternatively, you can consider business financing for bad credit, with some lenders accepting credit scores as low as 500. While these loans can help in a pinch, they typically come with high rates and unfavorable terms.

Business owners might struggle to qualify for a business line of credit without steady revenue or acceptable collateral. However, here are some other ways to get funds for your startup business:

  • Equipment financing: Since the equipment acts as collateral to secure the loan, lenders like Taycor Financial are able to offer 100% equipment financing with no down payment or annual revenue required.
  • Microloans: Startup businesses and minority entrepreneurs can consider microloans, which typically have no annual revenue requirements to apply, as a small business funding solution.
  • Personal loans for business: Personal loans and lines of credit are usually easier to qualify for than business loans, although you still need a good credit score and a favorable debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Also, you can’t claim interest charges as a deduction on your business taxes when using a personal loan for business purposes.