Business loan ratings methodology

We rate business loans across six key categories, including interest rates and fees, eligibility requirements and customer reviews.

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Emma Balmforth

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Finder’s loan experts assess business loans across six key categories to help you objectively evaluate a business loan’s overall features, fees and suitability for your unique needs.

The six categories we measure are:

  1. Interest rates & fees
  2. Loan amounts
  3. Eligibility requirements
  4. Transparency
  5. Customer reviews
  6. Bonus features

Data collection

We collect data manually through online research and from providers directly.

Category weightings

We weigh each metric based on factors we believe are most important to customers looking for a good business loan. Business loans earn a score in each category and then an overall score based on the weightings detailed on this page.

  1. Interest rates & fees: 35%
  2. Loan amounts: 25%
  3. Eligibility requirements: 20%
  4. Transparency: 10%
  5. Customer reviews: 5%
  6. Bonus features: 5%

Scoring and rating

Wondering how we work out Finder Score? We look at 10+ business loans and we compare them against each other to get our simple score out of 10. Metrics like interest rates, loan amounts and loan terms are weighted and added to come up with individual Finder Scores.

Business loans are evaluated on the six key categories outlined on this page. These categories are broken down into 13 different data points.

  • 9+ Excellent – The crème de la crème of business loans. These products offer the best mix of loan features across the six categories.
  • 7+ Great – The mix of features across categories is great but not optimal.
  • 5+ Satisfactory – Typically average in the features department.
  • Less than 5 – Basic – The least competitive in terms of features.

Data points

Data points are weighed differently, depending on their importance. Examples of data points we look at when comparing business loans include the following:

  • Interest rates
  • Loan amounts
  • Loan terms
  • Minimum monthly revenue required
  • Minimum time in business required to be eligible

No single business loan will be the best choice for everyone, so thoroughly compare your options before picking a loan for your business needs.

Written by

Producer

Emma Balmforth is a producer at Finder. She is passionate about helping people make financial decisions that will benefit them now and in the future. She has written for a variety of publications including World Nomads, Trek Effect and Uncharted. Emma has a degree in Business and Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She enjoys backpacking, reading and taking long hikes and road trips with her adventurous dog. See full bio

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