Chase offers small businesses a line of credit and term loans of up to $500,000, plus SBA loans of up to $5 million as an SBA Preferred Lender. For the line and the term loan it publishes clear requirements: at least $100,000 in annual revenue, a FICO of at least 660, and no change in majority ownership or management over the past two years (per its site, checked October 2026). If you meet them, it's a solid, reasonably priced option; if not, there are alternatives that review your sales and deposits.
In this review we break down each product, what it charges, who it makes sense for and what to do if you don't qualify. All Chase details come from its official site; where something may change, we ask you to confirm it.
Key takeaways
- Chase business line of credit: up to $500,000, with a five-year revolving period and a five-year repayment period.
- Chase term loan: up to $500,000, monthly payments, terms typically up to five years and $0 origination fee.
- Published requirements: $100,000+ in annual revenue, a 660+ FICO and no change in majority ownership for two years.
- Chase is an SBA Preferred Lender, with SBA loans up to $5 million.
- If you don't meet those minimums, our recommended funder reviews sales and deposits from FICO 500.
- If you qualify for Chase or an SBA loan, you'll usually pay less than with a private option.
What business loans Chase offers
Chase (JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) groups its small business financing into four products. Here's what it publishes on its business loans page (per its site, checked October 2026):
| Product | Amount | Term and repayment | Published fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business line of credit | Up to $500,000 | Five-year revolving period and five-year repayment period; draw, repay and draw again | $200 or 0.25% of the approved line (whichever is greater); waived if your 12-month average usage is at least 40% |
| Small business term loan | Up to $500,000 | Monthly payments; terms typically up to five years | $0 origination; prepayment fees on loans over $250,000 |
| Commercial real estate financing | No cap listed on that page | Up to 25 years, with equal payments or a final balloon payment | $0 origination; prepayment fees on loans over $250,000 |
| SBA loans | Up to $5 million | Fixed or variable rates, depending on the program | Per the SBA program |
Chase also says there's no fee to apply for its line of credit, and it offers a rate discount of 0.4 to 1.2 points on new loans or lines over $500,000 for customers with a deposit relationship, through its relationship pricing program. Talk to a banker for the details.
Chase business loan requirements
For the line of credit and the term loan, Chase lists these eligibility factors, noting they aren't the only ones:
- Annual revenue of at least $100,000.
- A FICO score of at least 660.
- No change in majority ownership or management in the past two years. In practice, a business you just bought or recently restructured may not qualify yet.
Chase adds that the factors may differ if you already work with a business relationship manager, so it's worth talking to your banker if you've been a customer for a while.
Also be ready for what banks usually ask for even when it isn't listed on that page: business and personal tax returns, financial statements, bank statements, owner ID and, depending on the amount, a personal guarantee or collateral. For SBA loans, 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. Permanent residents can no longer own any share.
Line of credit or term loan: which to ask Chase for
Plenty of owners ask for the wrong product and end up overpaying or stuck with a payment that doesn't match their cash flow. Use this rule:
- Ask for the line of credit if your expenses rise and fall through the year: seasonal inventory, payroll in slow months, materials for jobs that pay on net-30. You only pay interest on what you use, and you can draw again. Factor in the annual fee if you'll barely use it.
- Ask for the term loan if you have a specific investment with a known cost: remodeling your space, buying a work vehicle or opening a second location. You get the full amount and make a fixed monthly payment.
- Ask for an SBA loan if you need more than $500,000 or a long term and can wait weeks. Confirm first that every owner meets the citizenship or nationality requirement.
For example, a restaurant that stocks up every December is usually better off with a line; a contractor who needs a new truck, with a term loan or equipment financing. We compare both structures in business line of credit vs. loan.
Our take: pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clearly published requirements: you know whether you qualify before applying | A 660 FICO and $100,000 in revenue shut out many new or small businesses |
| Term loan with no origination fee | Prepayment fees on loans over $250,000 |
| Revolving line with a long draw period | The line charges an annual fee if you don't use it enough |
| SBA Preferred Lender, up to $5 million | SBA loans are slow and require every owner to be a citizen or national |
| Large branch and banker network | The bank process is slower than a revenue-based funder |
A good fit for: businesses with two or more years under the same owners, annual revenue above $100,000, good credit and up-to-date paperwork, especially if they already bank with Chase.
Think twice if: your business is new, your credit is under 660, you just bought the business or you need the money this week.
How to apply for a Chase business loan, step by step
- Check the minimums. Annual revenue, FICO and two years with no ownership change. If you miss one, save time and go to the alternatives.
- Pick the product. A line for expenses that rise and fall; a term loan for a specific investment; SBA for large amounts and long terms.
- Gather your paperwork. Two years of tax returns, recent financial statements, bank statements and owner ID.
- Talk to a banker. If you're already a customer, ask about relationship pricing and any different requirements.
- Compare the offer. Ask for the rate, fees, term and whether there's a personal guarantee or collateral.
- Read the prepayment terms if you plan to repay a large loan ahead of schedule.
Go to Chase's website by typing the address into your browser yourself; don't follow links from messages you didn't ask for.
If Chase says no: alternatives
A Chase decline doesn't mean your business can't be financed; often it just means you don't fit the bank's minimums. Here's what usually works, depending on the reason:
| Likely reason | Alternative |
|---|---|
| Credit under 660 | A revenue-based funder such as Merchant Fund Express, which accepts FICO 500+ |
| Revenue under $100,000 a year | An SBA microloan of up to $50,000 through a microlender |
| Business bought less than two years ago | Financing based on your current deposits, or an SBA change-of-ownership loan if you meet its requirements |
| You need the money in days | Sales-based working capital |
| You want to buy a machine or vehicle | Equipment financing |
Understand what went wrong in 4 surprising reasons you were rejected for a business loan. To compare Chase with other banks, see the best banks for small business loans.
Merchant Fund Express as a Chase alternative
Merchant Fund Express, our recommended funder, has no affiliation with Chase. It's the alternative we suggest when you don't meet the bank's minimums or when time matters more than rate. It reviews your sales and deposits, not just your credit; handles amounts from $5,000 to $5,000,000; accepts credit from FICO 500; and its decisions often come back in 2 to 4 hours. In most cases it doesn't require collateral. It also offers Spanish-speaking support and accepts applicants with an ITIN (no SSN needed), which a bank like Chase may not.
To be honest: if you qualify for Chase or an SBA loan, you'll usually pay less. A revenue-based funder makes sense for an urgent need, for a business that doesn't yet meet the bank's minimums or for an opportunity that won't wait. You can apply with Merchant Fund Express for free with no impact to your credit and compare at your own pace. More options in the best alternatives to bank loans. Prefer Spanish? Leer en español.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score do I need for a Chase business loan?
For its line of credit and term loan, Chase publishes a minimum FICO score of 660, along with at least $100,000 in annual revenue and no change in majority ownership in the past two years (per its site, checked October 2026). For SBA loans, requirements depend on the program and the bank's own review of your file.
Does Chase lend to new businesses?
Its published requirements call for no change in majority ownership or management over the past two years and at least $100,000 in annual revenue, so a brand-new business is unlikely to qualify for the line or the term loan. A microloan or deposit-based financing is usually more realistic in your first year or two.
Can I get a Chase business loan with a green card?
For the line and term loan, Chase's business loans page doesn't mention citizenship; ask your banker. For SBA 7(a) or 504 loans, since March 2026 every owner must be a U.S. citizen or national, so permanent residents no longer qualify. Talk to an immigration attorney about your situation.
Does Chase charge for the line of credit if I don't use it?
Chase publishes a fee of $200 or 0.25% of the approved line, whichever is greater, which is waived if your average usage over 12 months is at least 40%. If you're thinking of opening a line just in case, factor that fee into your decision before you sign.
What should I do if Chase declines my application?
Ask for the reason in writing. If it was credit or revenue, look at options based on your deposits, such as Merchant Fund Express, or an SBA microloan. If it was time in business, wait until you hit two years with no ownership changes and reapply with your paperwork up to date.
Is a Chase business loan cheaper than an online funder?
Usually, yes, if you qualify. Bank and SBA loans tend to cost less than online and revenue-based options. The trade-off is stricter requirements and a slower process. If you need money this week or don't meet the 660 FICO and $100,000 revenue minimums, an online funder may be the only realistic path.