Lauren McKinley

If you need an emergency small business loan, chances are you’re looking for a lender offering quick access to funds with a flexible repayment schedule. No matter the type of emergency, the best emergency loans for small businesses typically have limited funding restrictions, reasonable qualification requirements, and favorable rates and terms. I’ve reviewed the best…

The best hard money lender will have varying characteristics depending on your specific needs. However, top lenders should have a combination of competitive rates, a wide range of loan terms, fast funding speeds, and flexibility in eligibility criteria. Hard money loans are generally used for real estate transactions, with the value of the collateral being…

While funding seeds can vary based on the loan type and lender, the best quick business loans should be able to issue funds within 48 hours. Additionally, they should have flexible qualification requirements, favorable rates and terms, and a simple application process. Many types of loans meet the criteria for a fast business loan, although…

A business credit report is a snapshot of a company’s financial health. It shows details about the company’s debt and how it handled debt payments in the past. It’s broken into various sections, each showing different information for company liens, outstanding loans, derogatory payment information, and recent credit applications. Lenders and investors often review this…

Alternative lenders can help your small business by providing faster and more flexible access to capital than traditional banks. They can be a good option if you need quick funding, have limited time in business, or want less strict qualification requirements. I’ve researched several companies and selected some of the best alternative lending options for…

Comparing business loans can quickly become overwhelming. Between researching lenders, filling out multiple applications, and evaluating different rates and terms, the process often takes longer than expected. A loan marketplace simplifies this by letting you view multiple loan options in one place, often with a single application. It’s a faster, more streamlined way to explore…

Choosing between a term loan and a business line of credit is one of the more important financing decisions a business owner can make. While both products provide access to capital, they serve very different purposes and can affect cash flow, repayment obligations, and borrowing costs in different ways. Understanding those differences is essential because…

This guide is for real estate investors who need short-term financing for a renovation project and want help choosing the right fix-and-flip lender. Fix-and-flip loans can be expensive, so it is important to find a provider that fits your budget, timeline, and project goals. The best fix-and-flip loans typically offer fast funding, short repayment terms,…

Access to business financing is no longer limited to banks, credit unions, or traditional lenders. Increasingly, small business owners are finding loan offers directly inside the software they already use to run their companies. This model is known as embedded business lending. In this guide, I’ll explain how embedded business lending works, why accounting software…

QuickBooks Capital is a financing option designed specifically for businesses already using QuickBooks accounting software. Instead of applying through a traditional lender, eligible users can access funding directly through their QuickBooks dashboard. But convenience does not always equal the best financing option. In this review, I break down how QuickBooks Capital works, the types of…

If you’re in the market for financing a purchase for your small business and wondering what options you might have, it’s worth comparing the pros and cons of various loan types. For example, an equipment loan vs a business loan can offer you varying levels of flexibility with regard to loan terms and qualifications. To…

If you’re considering getting a small business loan, it’s important to understand the whole process in order to increase your chances of approval. While it can be a complex process, it can be easier to attack when broken down into steps. After you’ve determined how funds will be used for your business, you’ll need to…