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Small Business Loans in California

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10 Small Business Loans in California

This list represents our unique research of small business lenders in California based on verifiable data. They are listed in order of how many small business loans they issued this year. 

In other words, these are the banks and lenders actually issuing the most loans to small businesses in your state.

(Unlike the other websites out there, who only talk about nonprofits who rarely lend and government programs few businesses can qualify for!)

Takeaway: Big banks do the majority of small business lending in California. 

Methodology: This is based on SBA 7a loan data. So all of these lenders offer SBA loans. We also listed out all of the other small business loans that they show on their websites.

Unfortunately, traditional banks require high credit scores and 2+ years in business. So we started off the list with two financing options for small business owners with bad credit and low time in business.

1. Credit Suite

Credit Suite is a business credit advisory and software company that also offers two non traditional financing products. 

Cash Flow Financing is great for business owners with bad credit. You can leverage your company’s cash flow to obtain flexible financing. Rather than requiring strict monthly payments, you pay this back with a percentage of your ongoing cash flow.

The Credit Line Hybrid offers funding based strictly on personal credit quality without requiring financials, bank statements, or business plans. Designed for startups and entrepreneurs, offering funding amounts between $5,000-$150,000. This is perfect for new companies and an even better solution for established businesses.

Business financing options offered:

  • Credit Suite Cash Flow Financing
  • Credit Suite Credit Line Hybrid
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2. U.S. Bank

US Bank is a big, national bank with a variety of business loans. They have many physical branches - you’ve probably seen them around town. They issue more SBA loans than any other lender in California. 

Business financing options offered:

  • US Bank Quick Loan

  • Business Term Loan

  • Commercial Real Estate Loan

  • Equipment Financing

  • SBA Loans

  • Dental, Medical, and Vet Practice Loans

  • Business Line of Credit

  • Manage Cash Flow

  • Business Equity Line of Credit

  • Business Reserve Line

  • 4 Business Credit Cards

3. BayFirst National Bank

BayFirst National focuses on SBA loans. Their website reads, “Lightning Fast Business Loans!” and “In-house team, quick funding”. They have their own in-house underwriting team, which translates to speed and expertise. 

Since SBA loans usually take a long time to fund, this is quite an advantage for them.

Business financing options offered:

  • SBA Loans

  • Commercial Real Estate Loans

  • Commercial Term Loans

  • Commercial Lines of Credit

  • Construction Loans

  • Heavy Equipment Financing

4. Wells Fargo Bank

Wells Fargo is another large, national bank that you’ve probably seen driving around town. Surprisingly, they have a small number of small business financing products for how big they are. But they’re high up on this list because they do a lot of volume of the loans that they do originate. 

Business financing options offered:

  • SBA 7a Loans & 504 Loans

  • 2 Business Lines of Credit

  • Practice Financing

5. JP Morgan Chase Bank

Chase Bank is one of the biggest in the country, so it’s no surprise that they do a lot of small business lending in California. 

Many small business owners know them because of their popular business credit cards. Their business credit cards offer generous reward programs. For many of their credit cards, they’ve partnered up with some of the biggest airlines and hotels for offering even better rewards. 

Business financing options offered:

  • 2 Business lines of credit

  • 3 Business loans

  • Commercial real estate financing

  • 4 business credit cards, plus 6 co-branded airline/hotel cards

6. Bank of America

Bank of America is the next big, national bank on this list. They issue a lot of small business loans in California, and they have many offices throughout the state. 

Their small business financing product list is respectable. What we find even more impressive is that they clearly outline their business loan requirements. It’s rare for lenders to do this, and we applaud the transparency. So if you’re interested in a small business loan from them, make sure that you qualify for the product you want before you apply. 

Business financing options offered:

  • Business Advantage Credit Line

  • Business Advantage Term Loan

  • Commercial real estate

  • Equipment loans

  • SBA loans

  • Healthcare practice loans

  • Secured Business Line of Credit

  • Secured Business Term Loan

7. CDC Small Business Finance Corporation

CDC means “Certified Development Company”. CDCs are nonprofits that are regulated by the Small Business Administration, which makes this one quite different from the other lenders on this list.

The CDC Small Business Finance Corporation is based in San Diego and has offices throughout the state. According to their website, they only offer SBA 504/CDC loans and other SBA loans for commercial real estate acquisition and small business financing. 

Business financing options offered:

  • SBA 504/CDC loans for commercial real estate acquisition and small business financing

8. Newtek Small Business Finance

Newtek isn’t a traditional bank with retail offices, so you may not have heard of it. However, it is a large, publicly traded company that does quite a bit of small business lending.

Even though their website only lists four small business financing options, they also have many other financial services and products geared towards small businesses. These include payment processing, insurance, employee benefits, and payroll processing, amongst others. 

Business financing options offered:

  • Term Loans

  • Asset Based Financing

  • Inventory Based Financing

  • SBA Loans

9. Readycap Lending

Readycap’s main small business loan offerings are SBA 7a loans and the USDA Business and Industry loans. Outside of these government-backed loans, they offer many niche commercial real estate loans. If you’re a real estate investor or developer, it’s worth checking out their specific product arsenal, since they offer many loan types you don’t see elsewhere. 

Business financing options offered:

  • SBA 7a Loans

  • USDA B&I

  • Many Niche Commercial Real Estate Loans 

10. BMO Bank National Association

BMO Bank is another large, national bank, albeit not as well known as the ones higher up on this list. They have a respectable lineup of business financing products without a particular focus on any single industry.

Business financing options offered:

  • Business term loans

  • Business lines of credit

  • Business flex loans

  • SBA loans

  • Business real estate lending

  • Equipment leasing

  • 2 Business Credit Cards

How to apply for a small business loan in California 

Getting your small business funded doesn't have to be overwhelming, regardless of how many steps may be involved. Let the leading business guides at Credit Suite help you along the way!

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