The best way to get $50,000 for your business depends on how fast you need it and what your profile looks like. Merchant Fund Express is our recommended funder if you need the money within days and your sales are steady; an SBA microloan is usually the cheapest route if you can wait; OnDeck fits businesses with at least a year and a 625 FICO; Bluevine suits LLCs that want a line of credit; an SBA 7(a) loan offers long terms if you qualify; and a bank like Bank of America works for established businesses with banking history.
Fifty thousand dollars is an awkward amount. It is too much for a business credit card, and for many banks it is too small to justify the paperwork of a big commercial loan. That is why it pays to know which kind of funder is actually built for this range. Below you will find the ranked list, a side-by-side table, a quick test to see whether you can carry the payment, and the mistakes we see most often.
Key takeaways
- Our recommended funder often makes decisions in 2 to 4 hours, works with FICO 500+ and reviews sales and deposits, not just credit.
- The SBA microloan tops out at exactly $50,000; the SBA says rates generally run 8% to 13% with a maximum term of seven years.
- OnDeck asks for 1 year in business, $100,000 in annual revenue and a 625 FICO for its $5,000 to $400,000 term loans.
- Bluevine accepts an SSN or ITIN plus an EIN for its line of credit, but requires an LLC or corporation and a 625 FICO.
- Since March 1, 2026, every owner of a business applying for an SBA 7(a) or 504 loan must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
- Before you sign, compare the daily, weekly or monthly payment to your cash flow, not just the rate.
The 6 best $50,000 business loans
This is our order for a small-business owner who needs around $50,000. It is not a "lowest rate" list. It is ranked by who each option actually works for.
- Merchant Fund Express (recommended funder). Best for owners who need $50,000 soon and have steady sales hitting their business bank account. It offers $5,000 to $5,000,000, decisions often arrive in 2 to 4 hours, and it works with credit from FICO 500; stronger credit and cash flow usually mean better offers. It looks at your sales and deposits, not only your score, and collateral is not required in most cases. Applying is free and does not impact your credit.
- SBA microloan. Best if you want the lowest cost and can wait. The microloan program lends up to $50,000 through SBA-approved nonprofit community lenders. According to the SBA, the average microloan is about $13,000, rates generally run 8% to 13%, and the maximum term is seven years. You can use it for working capital, inventory, equipment and fixtures, but not to repay existing debt or buy real estate. Asking for the full $50,000 is possible, but it is not typical; many microlenders start you smaller.
- OnDeck. Best for businesses with a year or more of history that want a loan with fixed payments. Its term loan runs $5,000 to $400,000 with terms up to 24 months, and its line of credit runs $6,000 to $200,000. Published minimums are 1 year in business, a business checking account, $100,000 in annual revenue and a 625 personal FICO. It does not lend in North Dakota (per its website, checked October 2026).
- Bluevine. Best for an LLC or corporation that would rather have a line of credit than a lump sum. Lines go up to $250,000. It asks for $10,000 in monthly revenue, a 625 FICO, 12+ months in business, and an LLC or corporation structure. A key point for many readers: it says you can apply with an SSN or ITIN plus an EIN (per its website, checked October 2026).
- SBA 7(a) loan through your bank. Best if you qualify and can wait weeks: if you qualify, an SBA loan usually costs less than online financing. The 7(a) covers working capital, equipment, refinancing debt or buying a business, with a $5,000,000 maximum. Note: since March 1, 2026, 100% of the direct and indirect owners of a 7(a) or 504 applicant must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals whose principal residence is in the U.S. Green card holders can no longer own any share.
- Bank of America. Best for businesses with a history at the bank. Its unsecured term loan starts at $10,000, with 1- to 5-year terms and a $150 origination fee if approved. It asks for 2 years in business under the same owner and $100,000 in prior-year sales (per its website, checked October 2026). If you are already a customer and qualify, always compare it: a bank is usually cheaper, just slower.
Comparison table: $50,000 options side by side
| Option | Speed | Time in business | Minimum credit | ITIN | Collateral |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchant Fund Express | Decision often in 2–4 hours | Reviews sales and deposits | FICO 500+ | Yes, ITIN accepted (no SSN needed) | Not required in most cases |
| SBA microloan | Weeks | Depends on the microlender | Depends on the microlender | Depends on the microlender | May be required |
| OnDeck | Same-day funding possible after approval | 1 year | FICO 625 | Not published | Not stated in its summary |
| Bluevine (line) | Decision in minutes | 12 months | FICO 625 | Yes, with an EIN | Not stated in its summary |
| SBA 7(a) | Weeks or months | Depends on the bank | Depends on the bank | No: owners must be citizens or nationals | Usually taken if available |
| Bank of America | Days or weeks | 2 years under the same owner | Not published | Not published | Unsecured term loan |
Each company's details come from its official website, checked in October 2026. Where a cell says "not published," ask before you apply.
How we chose and what we looked at
How we rank. We do not hand out ratings or scores. We compare every option on the same criteria: speed, minimum time in business, minimum credit, whether it accepts an ITIN or owners without an SSN, required documents, loan amounts and collateral. Company details come from official websites, and if we could not confirm a fact, we left it out. Read the full methodology in how we rank business funding options, or browse every list in our small-business funding rankings.
For a $50,000 request we put extra weight on three things: how fast the money arrives, how big the payment is compared to your sales, and how realistic approval is with the profile you have today. A cheap loan you will not get approved for does not help you. A fast one with a payment that chokes your cash flow does not help either.
Can you carry the payment? A quick test
Before you pick, run this test using your last three to six months of bank statements:
- Find your average monthly deposits. Add up sales deposits (not transfers between your own accounts) and divide by the number of months.
- Subtract your fixed costs. Rent, payroll, inventory, insurance and payments on debt you already have.
- Look at what is left in a slow month, not your best month. That is your real cushion.
- Ask the funder for the exact payment (daily, weekly or monthly) and compare it to that cushion. If the payment eats almost all of it, borrow less or ask for a longer term.
For example, if your deposits cover everything and still leave a comfortable margin in slow months, a short term can work. If you barely break even in the off-season, prioritize a longer term, a line of credit you only draw when needed, or a smaller amount.
Daily or weekly payments are not bad on their own, but they require sales that come in often. If your customers pay you on 30- or 60-day terms, a monthly payment fits better.
Documents you will need for $50,000
Every funder has its own list, but at this amount you will almost always be asked for:
- Business bank statements from the last 3 to 6 months.
- A current government-issued photo ID.
- Your business EIN; the IRS issues one free online if you have an SSN or ITIN.
- Company documents (LLC or corporation filings) or your DBA if you are a sole proprietor.
- Business tax returns, especially for banks and SBA loans.
- A short summary of what the money is for: inventory, equipment, payroll or a second location.
If you have an ITIN instead of an SSN, keep your IRS letter showing the number ready. Our recommended funder accepts applicants with an ITIN, no SSN needed. For more on getting approved the first time, see how to get a business loan.
Common mistakes when borrowing $50,000
- Asking for $50,000 "just in case." If you really need $30,000, ask for that. Every extra dollar costs money.
- Applying with five funders on the same day. Several hard inquiries can lower your score and make you look desperate. Start with options that use a soft pull.
- Looking only at the rate. The term, payment frequency and fees change everything. Always get the total cost in writing and read it calmly.
- Mixing accounts. If sales land in your personal account, it is harder to prove revenue. Open a business account and deposit everything there.
- Skipping the restrictions. SBA microloans cannot repay existing debt, and SBA 504 loans cannot be used for working capital.
If you need a smaller amount, check the best funding options under $50,000.
Our recommendation
If you can wait and you qualify, start with an SBA microloan or a 7(a): they usually cost less. If you already have a year in business, good credit and an LLC, compare OnDeck, Bluevine and your own bank.
If you need the money within days, your sales are steady and your credit is not perfect, our recommended funder is Merchant Fund Express. It reviews your deposits, not just your score, and offers Spanish-speaking support. You can apply online in minutes; it is free and does not impact your credit. Once you have an offer in hand, compare it with anything else on the table before you sign. Prefer Spanish? Leer en español.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score do I need for a $50,000 business loan?
It depends on the funder. Our recommended funder works with FICO 500 and up and reviews your sales and deposits. OnDeck and Bluevine publish a 625 minimum. Banks and SBA lenders do not always publish a number, but they usually expect solid history. The higher your score and the steadier your deposits, the better the terms you will be offered.
Can I get a $50,000 business loan with an ITIN?
Yes, there are options. Our recommended funder accepts applicants with an ITIN, no SSN needed. Bluevine says on its website that you can apply for its line of credit with an SSN or ITIN plus an EIN. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans now require every owner to be a U.S. citizen or national. Talk to an immigration attorney about your situation if you have questions about your status.
How long does it take to get $50,000?
With an online funder, a decision can come the same day; our recommended funder often decides in 2 to 4 hours. A bank can take days or weeks, and an SBA loan usually takes weeks or longer. Having your bank statements and documents ready shortens the process in every case.
Does an SBA microloan go up to $50,000?
Yes, $50,000 is the maximum for the SBA microloan program. The SBA says the average is around $13,000, so not everyone gets the maximum. Rates generally run 8% to 13%, and the longest term is seven years. Microloans cannot be used to repay existing debt or to buy real estate.
Do I need collateral for a $50,000 loan?
Not always. Our recommended funder does not require collateral in most cases, and the Bank of America term loan covered above is unsecured. SBA loans usually take collateral when it is available, and microlenders may ask for it. Also ask whether a personal guarantee is required, which is different from collateral.
Is a line of credit or a term loan better for $50,000?
If you will spend it all at once, on equipment or a remodel, a term loan with fixed payments keeps things simple. If the spending comes in pieces, like seasonal inventory or payroll in slow months, a line of credit lets you draw only what you need and pay interest only on that.