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Most commercial funders look at time in business, monthly revenue, credit history, and what the money is for. The documents you need depend on the product — equipment quotes for asset-backed financing, recent bank statements for working capital or a line of credit, open invoices for factoring, and, for SBA loans, the documents your SBA lender asks for.
Readiness at a glance
- Time in business and recent monthly revenue
- Personal and business credit history (when files exist)
- Clear use of funds and product fit (equipment, working capital, receivables, SBA, etc.)
- Documents that match the product — quotes for equipment, bank statements for cash-flow products, open invoices for factoring
Checklist by product
Equipment financing
- Equipment quote, invoice, or spec sheet with make, model, year, and cost
- Serial or VIN when the asset is identified
- Brief note on new vs. used and dealer vs. private seller
Working capital or line of credit
- Recent business bank statements (your trusted financing partner may request several months)
- Revenue trend and major recurring expenses in plain language
- Use of funds (payroll timing, inventory, growth, etc.)
Invoice factoring
- Open invoices and customer names
- Payment terms and any retainage or disputes noted upfront
- Customer payment history you can document for your largest accounts
SBA loans
- Ask your SBA lender for its document list — SBA.gov says the documents vary by loan size and the lender’s process
- Business financial statements and tax returns as your SBA lender requests
- Ownership, equity injection, and collateral details when the deal requires them
SBA loans: start with SBA.gov
For SBA loans, use SBA.gov fund-your-business guide and the SBA funding programs overview as the primary source — SBA says your SBA lender determines which documents you need, so rely on that rather than copied checklists. The Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey reports how employer firms seek financing; we do not quote survey numbers here.
Related guides
Common questions
- What do most commercial funders look at first?
- Many start with time in business, monthly revenue, credit history, and what the money is for. The exact documents depend on whether you are financing equipment, bridging cash flow, factoring receivables, or pursuing an SBA loan.
- Do I need tax returns for every financing inquiry?
- Not on LoanHelp’s three-step inquiry — we ask for business basics only. If you move forward, our trusted financing partner may request tax returns, bank statements, or other documents for the product you pursue.
- What should I gather before I start an inquiry on LoanHelp?
- Rough revenue range, time in business, state, and the product you are exploring. Equipment inquiries go faster with a quote or spec; factoring inquiries benefit from knowing your largest open invoices.
- Does SBA publish one document checklist for SBA loans?
- No single list fits every SBA loan. SBA.gov says the documents for a 7(a) loan vary with the loan size and the lender’s processing method, and that your SBA lender will help you determine which documents you need. SBA’s fund-your-business guide also suggests having a business plan, an expense sheet, and financial projections ready before you request a loan.
- What personal information does LoanHelp ask for on the inquiry form?
- LoanHelp’s inquiry form collects business basics only — no Social Security number, date of birth, tax ID, bank account numbers, or home address. Our trusted financing partner may request more if you proceed.