Business Loans for Bad Credit — Approved at 500 FICO

$5K to $5M for businesses with credit scores from 500. Revenue matters more than FICO. Get a real decision in 24 hours — no collateral, no perfect credit required.

24-Hour Approvals
$5K – $5M Funding
500+ FICO Accepted
1,000+ Funded Since 2024
500+
Min FICO Accepted
$5K–$5M
Funding Range
24hrs
Decision Time
1,000+
Approved Since 2024

Why Bad Credit Shouldn't Stop You

Traditional banks reject 80% of small business loan applications, and a credit score below 680 is the #1 reason. We see things differently.

Revenue First, Credit Second

If your business deposits $10K+/month, that's the strongest signal you can repay. We weight bank cash flow over FICO — even at 500.

Real Underwriters, Not Algorithms

Algorithms reject anyone under 680. Our team reviews your actual business — explanations, seasonality, and recovery context all matter.

No Collateral Required

You don't need to risk your home or equipment. We offer unsecured working capital and revenue-based financing up to $500K with no liens.

Fast When You Need It Most

Bad credit usually means urgency. We approve in 24 hours and fund in 1-3 days — not the 60-90 days a bank will waste.

What You Can Qualify For By FICO Score

Real numbers. No bait-and-switch. Here's what businesses at each credit tier are actually getting funded.

Credit ScoreFunding AvailableBest ProductsTypical Rate RangeApproval Odds
450-499$5K – $50KMCA, Invoice Factoring1.35x – 1.50x factor40-55%
500-549$10K – $150KMCA, Revenue-Based Financing1.28x – 1.42x factor65-75%
550-599$15K – $350KRBF, Working Capital, MCA1.22x – 1.38x factor75-85%
600-649$25K – $750KWorking Capital, LOC, RBF1.18x – 1.32x factor85-92%
650-679$50K – $2MWorking Capital, LOC, Equipment1.15x – 1.28x factor92-96%
680+$50K – $5MAll products available1.10x – 1.25x factor96-99%

Approval odds based on businesses with $10K+ monthly deposits and 6+ months in business.

How to Get Approved With Bad Credit

Four steps. No paperwork stacks. No bank visits. Same fast process whether your FICO is 500 or 800.

1

Apply in 4 Minutes

Soft credit check only — won't hurt your score. Just basic business info and 3 months of bank statements.

2

Real-Person Review

An underwriter reviews your revenue, deposit consistency, and time in business. FICO is one of 12 factors.

3

Get Multiple Offers

Within 24 hours, see offers across MCA, RBF, working capital, and invoice factoring. Pick what fits.

4

Funded in 1-3 Days

E-sign and funds wire to your business account. Use it for inventory, payroll, equipment — anything.

Real Approvals at Real Credit Scores

Bad credit doesn't mean a bad business. Here are owners who got funded when banks said no.

★★★★★

"FICO was 522 after my divorce. Three banks slammed the door. MFE looked at my $48K/month deposits and approved $125K in 36 hours. Game-changer."

RM
Robert Martinez
Martinez Auto Repair — Houston, TX
★★★★★

"My credit took a hit during COVID — dropped to 540. Nobody would touch me. They funded me $80K based on revenue alone. Paid it off early, score is back to 690 now."

JK
Jennifer Kim
Kim's Beauty Studio — Los Angeles, CA
★★★★★

"I'm a 580 FICO contractor with $35K/month in receivables. Got $200K in invoice factoring. The bank wanted my house as collateral. MFE wanted… nothing. Just my A/R."

DW
Daniel Williams
Williams Roofing Co. — Atlanta, GA

Bad Credit Lender Comparison

See how Merchant Fund Express stacks up against traditional banks and other online lenders.

FeatureMerchant Fund ExpressTraditional BanksOther Online Lenders
Minimum Credit Score500680-720600-680
Funding Range$5K – $5M$100K – $5M$10K – $500K
Approval Time24 hours30-90 days2-7 days
Funding Speed1-3 days30-60 days after approval3-10 days
Collateral RequiredNot requiredOften requiredSometimes
Revenue-Based ApprovalYES — primary factorSecondarySometimes
Personal GuaranteeSometimesAlwaysAlways
Time in Business Min.6 months2+ years1 year
Multiple OffersYES — 6 product typesNoSometimes

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common questions.

What's the lowest credit score you accept?
We've approved businesses with FICO scores as low as 500. Below 500, approval is possible but rare — we'd need very strong revenue ($30K+ monthly) and 12+ months in business. The real driver is monthly deposits, not FICO.
Will applying hurt my credit score?
No. We use a soft credit pull during pre-qualification, which doesn't affect your score. A hard pull only happens if you accept an offer and move to final underwriting — and even then, it's typically a 5-point dip that recovers in 30-60 days.
How much can I get with a 500 FICO?
With a 500-549 FICO and $10K+/month in deposits, businesses typically qualify for $10K-$150K through MCA or revenue-based financing. The exact amount depends on monthly revenue (we usually fund 80-150% of monthly deposits).
Do I need collateral?
Not for unsecured products like working capital, MCA, RBF, or our line of credit. Equipment financing uses the equipment itself as collateral. Invoice factoring is secured by your invoices. You never have to pledge your home or personal assets.
How fast can I actually get funded with bad credit?
Same process as good credit: pre-qualified in 4 minutes, decision in 24 hours, funds in 1-3 business days. Bad credit doesn't slow the process — it just affects the products and rates available to you.
Can I improve terms by adding a co-signer?
Yes. Adding a co-signer with 680+ FICO can unlock larger amounts, lower factor rates, and longer terms. We also accept business partners as co-applicants, which sometimes works better than a personal co-signer.

Bad Credit? Get Approved Today.

Stop letting your FICO score block your business. We approve 500+ — apply in 4 minutes and get a decision in 24 hours.

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