Mid prime small business loans are a type of alternative financing provided by institutional and commercial lenders to companies that have good credit, good cash-flow and solid revenue, but still can’t qualify for bank-rate or SBA financing. Mid prime loan sizes usually range from $10,000 up to $500,000 and have terms ranging from 1-5 years. While a mid prime alternative loan has rates higher than traditional bank financing, the rates and overall costs are much lower than that of a merchant cash advance or other types of fast, high-interest business financing. Mid-prime financing options are true loans and lines of credit (as opposed to a business-to-business transaction — like a cash advance) and have true APRs. Since this is a true loan, the interest associated with the loan is tax deductible. Another advantage to this type of financing is the fact that this loan can be funded with a traditional bank loan or line-of-credit in place. Since this is a 2nd position loan, all other types of traditional financing can remain in place uninterrupted. Mid-prime lenders are willing to take a second position, provided that the lender with the first position is a traditional lender, and not another alternative lending source. The underwriting process for this type of business financing is much different than traditional financing, being that these loans rely less on personal and business credit, and rely more on the company’s cash flow for approval.
Advantages associated with this type of financing is the fact that the process is simple, and funding is quick. From beginning to end, the process can be completed within 1-2 weeks. The approval rates of these lenders are as high as 75%. Unlike bank loans and other traditional business financing, a mid-prime loan requires minimal documentation. Disadvantages associated with mid-prime financing are the higher rates than a company would receive from traditional lender. Rates can be 50-100% higher than traditional bank loans provided by a small, large or community bank or credit union. Origination fees range usually range from 1-5% (usually deducted from the use-of-funds) making this form of financing much more expensive than traditional financing.