Get a $20,000 business loan

You can get a $20,000 business loan from banks, credit unions, alternative lenders and brokers. Banks and credit unions have more competitive rates than alternative lenders, but they are slower to fund loans and have stricter eligibility requirements.

Where to get a $20,000 small business loan

From banks to brokers, each type of provider has its benefits and drawbacks:

Banks and credit unions

You may think that $20,000 is too small of a business loan for banks like the Big Five, but this isn’t the case. RBC business loans, for example, start at $5,000. To get approved for a business loan from financial institutions, you’ll need positive business revenue and a good credit score. You’ll also need to meet with an advisor and show them business and personal tax returns, financial statements and a business plan. Banks can take weeks to give approval and funding, but they give competitive loan offers.

Alternative lenders

If you need a $20,000 business loan fast or don’t qualify for a bank loan, you can apply to alternative lenders. These lenders require less paperwork and can give approval and funding within one to three business days, especially for a loan of this size. However, they charge higher-than-average interest rates.

Loan search platforms

If you’re unfamiliar with business lending and need an intermediary to match you with lenders that want to finance business, you can apply to a loan search platform. Some won’t charge you to use their service (they will receive a commission from the lender instead), while others will charge you a fee.

Can I get a $20,000 CEBA business loan?

The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan was a loan provided by the federal government to support businesses during COVID. Businesses could apply for a $60,000 CEBA loan or for the $20,000 expansion if they qualified for the previous $40,000 limit. The deadline to apply for the CEBA loan was June 30, 2021. Currently, the federal government is not accepting CEBA applications.

How to apply for a $20,000 business loan

The application process for a $20,000 business varies depending on your business, your personal finances and what you want to fund. But generally, it includes the following steps:

1. Compare providers that offer the type of funding you need at $20,000. Also consider factors like the turnaround time, minimum requirements, rates, fees and customer reviews.
2. Get a rate quote from your top choices. You can do this by filling out an online prequalification form or by speaking to a loan officer.
3. Find the documents you need to complete the application, such as personal and business tax returns, bank statements and financial statements.
4. Fill out the rest of the application and submit any additional documents that your lender requires, like a government-issued ID and void cheque.
5. Review your final offer, paying attention to the annual percentage rate (APR), fees, payment due dates and terms.
6. Sign the contract and wait to receive your funds. Typically, funds are available within a few business days after signing off on the loan.

Overall, the process of getting a $20,000 business loan can range from one day to a few weeks. Alternative lenders are generally the fastest. Banks and credit unions can take longer — especially if it’s your first loan with that institution.

How to get a $20,000 small business loan with bad credit

You can get a $20,000 business loan with bad credit by applying to a lender that accepts personal credit scores below 560. Some alternative lenders specialize in bad credit business financing. Rather than fixating on your credit score, they’ll look at the overall health of your business. And some, like merchant cash advance and factoring companies, don’t consider your credit score at all. But these are often extremely expensive and can come with fees equivalent to 300% APR.

To increase your chances of approval on a business loan, consider the following steps:

• Provide collateral. Secure your loan with an asset, such as inventory or equipment.
• Get a guarantor. A guarantor agrees to cover your repayments if you default on your loan.
• Lower the loan amount. If a lender can’t approve you for a $20,000 business loan, ask to borrow a smaller amount instead.

How much does a $20,000 business loan cost?

The cost of a $20,000 small business loan depends on the rates and terms you qualify for. Use our calculator to estimate how much you’ll pay each month and in total.

Bottom line

Banks, credit unions, alternative lenders and brokers all offer $20,000 business loans. And since $20,000 is a relatively low amount for a business loan, you could have an easier time qualifying for a loan with bad credit or as a startup. Compare more options by reading our guide to business loans.

• Can I get a $20,000 business loan to start a business?

  It's possible to get a $20,000 startup loan from a lender that works with startups, but your personal financial situation will need to be strong. For example, you may be required to provide a detailed business plan, demonstrate industry experience, have a good credit score, have a guarantor and have personal financial investments in your company. If you don't qualify for a business loan, you can consider applying for a personal loan for business use.

• What are the eligibility requirements of a $20,000 small business loan?

  Eligibility requirements vary from lender to lender, but generally, you'll need to meet the minimum time in business, minimum revenue and minimum credit score.

Written by

Anna Serio

Editor

Anna Serio was a lead editor at Finder, specializing in consumer and business financing. A trusted lending expert and former certified commercial loan officer, Anna's written and edited more than 1,000 articles on Finder to help Americans strengthen their financial literacy. Her expertise and analysis on personal, student, business and car loans has been featured in publications like Business Insider, CNBC and Nasdaq, and has appeared on NBC and KADN. Anna holds an MA in Middle Eastern studies from the American University of Beirut and a BA in Creative Writing from Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College, CUNY. See full bio

Anna's expertise

Anna has written 61 Finder guides across topics including:

• Personal, business, student and car loans
• Building credit
• Paying off debt

Co-written by

Leanne Escobal

Publisher

Leanne Escobal is a publisher for Finder. She has spent over 11 years working with financial products and services, specializing in content and marketing. Leanne has completed the Canadian securities course (CSC®) as well as the personal lending and mortgages course by the Canadian Securities Institute. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English literature and creative writing from Western University. See full bio