Small Business Loan
Structured financing for bigger moves. Two paths: with or without SBA backing.
What Is a Small Business Loan?
A Small Business Loan from Marlow is a term loan — a fixed amount of capital repaid over a defined period with a set repayment schedule and a stated interest rate. Unlike a Merchant Cash Advance, a business loan has a predictable monthly payment and a fixed end date, making it easier to plan around for longer-term investments.
Marlow offers two paths under this product: a standard business term loan that does not require SBA involvement, and an SBA-backed loan that is partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Both serve different needs and business profiles, and our team will help you identify which fits best.
Structured financing, built around your business
Whether you go SBA-backed or standard, a Marlow advisor helps you find the right path — with predictable payments you can plan around.
Get Started→SBA-backed or standard — choose what fits your business
Predictable monthly payments over a set term
Guidance from application through funding
From working capital to long-term expansion
Standard Business Term Loan
A non-SBA term loan is funded directly by Marlow without a government guarantee — a faster approval process with fewer documentation requirements, available to a broader range of businesses.
Fixed loan amount, fixed repayment term, fixed or variable interest rate
Repaid in equal monthly installments over the life of the loan
Suitable for working capital, equipment, expansion, inventory, hiring, and more
Faster process than SBA: less documentation, no SBA approval step required
TBD — Marlow's non-SBA loan range, e.g. "$10,000 to $500,000."
TBD — Typical term lengths, e.g. "12 to 60 months."
TBD — Interest rate range — only publish if these are verified and current.
SBA-Backed Loan
An SBA loan is a term loan where the U.S. Small Business Administration guarantees a portion of the loan balance. This guarantee reduces the lender's risk, which allows Marlow to offer longer repayment terms, lower down payments, and competitive interest rates that may not otherwise be available to smaller or earlier-stage businesses.
The SBA does not lend money directly. Marlow originates and funds the loan; the SBA's guarantee protects a portion of that investment. SBA loans require more documentation and a longer approval process than non-SBA loans, but are often the right choice for larger funding needs or businesses that benefit from longer repayment terms.
SBA 7(a) Loan — Key Facts
- Primary use cases
- Working capital, equipment, real estate, acquisition, refinancing
- Repayment terms
- Up to 10 years for working capital; up to 25 years for real estate
- Personal guaranty
- Required from all owners with 20%+ ownership
- Collateral
- Required where available for loans above SBA threshold
- SBA guarantee fee
- Charged on guaranteed portion; may be financed into the loan
- Approval timeline
- Several weeks to a few months depending on completeness of application
TBD — Marlow's SBA loan program details — whether Marlow is an SBA Preferred Lender (PLP), an approved 7(a) lender, or works through an SBA partner lender. This must be accurate before publishing any SBA loan marketing.
How to Qualify — Both Paths
Standard term loans and SBA-backed loans share the basics below; SBA loans carry a few additional requirements.
TBD — Marlow's specific minimum credit score, revenue, and time in business requirements for term loans.
From consultation to funding
Consultation
Speak with a Marlow advisor to determine which loan path fits your needs and timeline.
Application
Complete the loan application and submit required documentation.
Underwriting
Marlow reviews your financials; for SBA loans, we prepare and submit the SBA package.
Approval and offer
Receive your loan terms for review and acceptance.
Closing and funding
Sign loan documents and receive funds.
Common questions about business loans
Straight answers about how Marlow's non-SBA and SBA-backed loans work.
Compare other financing options
Not sure this is the one? Here's what else Marlow offers.
Required Disclosures
Required Disclosures (Legal)
Business loans from Marlow are subject to credit approval. All loans are made for business purposes only. Interest rates, terms, and fees are disclosed in the loan agreement prior to signing. For SBA loans: Marlow is not the Small Business Administration. SBA loans are subject to SBA eligibility requirements and program rules which are set by the federal government and may change. A personal guaranty is required. Collateral may be required. Loan terms are subject to change based on SBA program updates.
TBD — NMLS disclosure, state lending license numbers, and any other jurisdiction-specific lending disclosures required for Marlow's licensed lending states.