The Ultimate Lending Reference for Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses

Powered by Wise Business Plans — Your Trusted Business Funding Advisor

Navigating small business financing can be overwhelming. Wise Business Plans® created the Ultimate Lending Reference to help entrepreneurs explore leading SBA lenders, banks, microlenders, equipment financing companies, venture capital firms, and alternative funding sources.

The Ultimate Lending Reference for Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses

Top SBA Banks and Financial Institutions

Wise Business Plans® Funding Resource

The Ultimate Lending Reference for Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses

Navigating small-business financing can be overwhelming. From SBAloans and equipment financing to venture capital, microlenders andalternative funding platforms, each option comes with differentrequirements, benefits and risks.

Wise Business Plans® developed this business funding reference tohelp entrepreneurs identify potential sources of capital, comparefunding categories and connect directly with lenders, investmentfirms and financing platforms.

Whether you’re a startup seeking seed capital, a franchise ownerpursuing SBA financing, or an established company investing inequipment or expansion, use the directory below to explore potentialfunding sources.

01 — SBA Financing

Top SBA Banks & Financial Institutions

SBA lenders provide financing under programs administered by theU.S. Small Business Administration. Depending on the program andborrower eligibility, SBA-backed financing may support businessacquisitions, working capital, equipment, expansion, commercialreal estate and other qualifying business purposes.

Newtek One

Newtek One is a national SBA lending provider offering financing solutions across diverse industries, including equipment, real estate and working capital.

Visit Newtek One →

Live Oak Bank

Live Oak Bank specializes in SBA loans for niche industries and provides business financing through a digital lending platform.

Visit Live Oak Bank →

Huntington National Bank

Huntington National Bank provides SBA financing, including SBA 7(a) and SBA Express lending options for qualifying small businesses.

Visit Huntington SBA Lending →

Ready Capital

Ready Capital provides commercial financing for acquisitions, expansion, refinancing, commercial real estate and other business capital needs.

Visit Ready Capital →

Celtic Bank

Celtic Bank provides SBA financing for qualifying businesses, including franchise, expansion and equipment financing.

Visit Celtic Bank →

BayFirst National Bank

BayFirst National Bank provides SBA and small-business financing solutions, including financing for working capital and other qualifying needs.

Visit BayFirst →

TD Bank

TD Bank provides SBA financing for qualifying businesses seeking working capital, equipment and commercial real estate financing.

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank provides SBA and commercial financing solutions for new and established businesses.

JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase provides SBA and conventional business financing alongside commercial banking services.

Bank of America

Bank of America provides SBA financing and commercial banking solutions for qualifying small businesses.

Byline Bank

Byline Bank provides SBA financing with experience supporting franchises, acquisitions and other business financing needs.

Visit Byline Bank →

First Internet Bank

First Internet Bank provides digital banking and SBA financing services to qualifying businesses nationwide.

Northeast Bank

Northeast Bank provides commercial and small-business financing for working capital, expansion and other qualifying capital needs.

Visit Northeast Bank →

Cadence Bank

Cadence Bank provides SBA and commercial financing solutions to small and middle-market businesses.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo provides SBA financing, business lines of credit, term loans and other commercial banking products.

First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank provides SBA-backed and conventional financing, including equipment and commercial business lending.

Visit First Citizens Bank →

SmartBiz

SmartBiz is a technology-enabled business financing platform designed to connect qualifying small businesses with lending options.

Visit SmartBiz →

BlueVine

BlueVine provides digital financial services and flexible working-capital solutions for qualifying small businesses.

Visit BlueVine →

Fundera by NerdWallet

Fundera is a business financing marketplace designed to help business owners compare potential lending and financing options.

Kabbage by American Express

Kabbage has provided digital access to business credit and working-capital solutions for qualifying businesses.

Visit Kabbage →

Five Star Bank

Five Star Bank provides commercial and SBA-related financing services to businesses in its markets.

Visit Five Star Bank →

OnDeck

OnDeck provides online business financing with streamlined applications for working capital and other qualifying business needs.

Visit OnDeck →

Balboa Capital

Balboa Capital provides equipment financing and business financing solutions for companies across multiple industries.

Visit Balboa Capital →

Guidant Financial

Guidant Financial provides business financing support, including SBA-related financing and retirement-based business funding solutions.

Visit Guidant Financial →

Rapid Finance

Rapid Finance provides alternative business financing and working-capital solutions to qualifying companies.

Visit Rapid Finance →

Golub Capital

Golub Capital is an investment and lending firm focused primarily on financing middle-market companies.

Visit Golub Capital →

Lendio

Lendio is a business financing marketplace connecting small-business owners with multiple potential financing providers.

Visit Lendio →

Credibly

Credibly provides working-capital and business financing solutions for qualifying small businesses.

Visit Credibly →

Funding Circle

Funding Circle provides business financing solutions for qualifying small businesses seeking growth and working capital.

National Business Capital

National Business Capital is a financing marketplace connecting businesses with a range of potential lending products.

Visit National Business Capital →

Rockefeller Capital Management

Rockefeller Capital Management provides wealth management, investment and advisory services to private and institutional clients.

Harvest Small Business Finance

Harvest Small Business Finance provides SBA financing with a focus on commercial real estate and long-term business capital.

Visit Harvest →

Stearns Bank

Stearns Bank provides SBA and commercial lending solutions for businesses across a range of industries.

Visit Stearns Bank →

Fountainhead Commercial Capital

Fountainhead is a non-bank commercial lender focused on SBA and commercial real estate financing.

Visit Fountainhead →

Liberty SBF

Liberty SBF provides SBA and commercial real estate financing for qualifying small businesses.

Visit Liberty SBF →

BHG Financial

BHG Financial provides financing solutions to professionals and businesses, including borrowers in healthcare-related industries.

Visit BHG Financial →

East West Bank

East West Bank provides SBA and commercial financing and serves businesses with domestic and international banking needs.

Visit East West Bank →

Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank provides SBA and business banking products with relationship-based support for entrepreneurs and established businesses.

Visit Umpqua Bank →

BankUnited

BankUnited provides SBA and commercial banking solutions to qualifying small and middle-market businesses.

Visit BankUnited →

Seacoast Bank

Seacoast Bank provides commercial banking, SBA-related lending and financial services to businesses in its markets.

Visit Seacoast Bank →

Northwest Bank

Northwest Bank provides small-business and commercial financing services across its regional markets.

Visit Northwest Bank →

Customers Bank

Customers Bank provides commercial banking and financing solutions through a technology-focused banking platform.

Visit Customers Bank →

Zions Bank

Zions Bank provides SBA and commercial financing to qualifying small and growing businesses.

Visit Zions Bank →

Sunflower Bank

Sunflower Bank provides SBA and commercial lending solutions in several western and midwestern U.S. markets.

Visit Sunflower Bank →

Peoples Bank (MS)

Peoples Bank serves Mississippi businesses and communities with commercial and small-business financial services.

D.L. Evans Bank

D.L. Evans Bank provides commercial and SBA-related financing services to businesses in its regional markets.

Visit D.L. Evans Bank →

Hanmi Bank

Hanmi Bank provides SBA, commercial real estate and other business financing solutions.

Visit Hanmi Bank →

KeyBank

KeyBank provides SBA and conventional business financing through a broad commercial banking platform.

Visit KeyBank →

PNC Bank

PNC provides SBA financing, equipment financing and broader commercial banking services.

Visit PNC Bank →

Regions Bank

Regions Bank provides SBA, term-loan, line-of-credit and other commercial banking solutions.

Visit Regions Bank →

Comerica Bank

Comerica provides commercial financing for working capital, real estate, equipment and other qualifying business needs.

Visit Comerica →

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank provides SBA and conventional commercial financing to qualifying businesses.

Visit Fifth Third Bank →

BMO

BMO provides commercial banking and business financing for expansion, acquisitions and other qualifying purposes.

Visit BMO →

Arvest Bank

Arvest Bank provides commercial banking and SBA-related financing to businesses in its regional markets.

Visit Arvest Bank →

Centennial Bank

Centennial Bank provides commercial and SBA-related financing to qualifying small businesses.

Visit Centennial Bank →

Simmons Bank

Simmons Bank provides SBA and commercial financing solutions for qualifying small businesses.

Visit Simmons Bank →

M&T Bank

M&T Bank provides SBA and commercial financing across its regional banking markets.

Webster Bank

Webster Bank provides commercial banking and business financing solutions to qualifying companies.

Eastern Bank

Eastern Bank provides commercial banking and small-business financing services.

Busey Bank

Busey Bank provides commercial and SBA-related lending with relationship-based business banking support.

Visit Busey Bank →

Old National Bank

Old National Bank provides commercial banking and financing services to small and middle-market businesses.

Visit Old National Bank →
Wise Business Plans®

Preparing for an SBA Loan?

Finding an SBA lender is only part of the process. Wise Business Planscan help prepare your lender-ready business plan, financial projections,market research and supporting funding materials.

Get SBA Loan Ready →
02 — SBA Microloans

SBA-Backed Microlenders

SBA microloan programs can help startups, entrepreneurs and smallbusinesses access smaller amounts of capital through participatingintermediaries and community-based lenders.

Accion U.S. Network

Accion’s U.S. network supports entrepreneurs through small-business financing, credit-building resources and business coaching.

LiftFund

LiftFund is a nonprofit small-business lender providing financing and business support to entrepreneurs.

Visit LiftFund →

Ascendus

Ascendus provides small-business financing and support to entrepreneurs, including early-stage and underserved businesses.

Visit Ascendus →

Justine Petersen

Justine Petersen supports entrepreneurs through small-business lending, credit building and financial education.

Visit Justine Petersen →

SBA Microloan Program

The SBA Microloan Program works through approved intermediary lenders to provide eligible businesses with smaller business loans.

03 — Community Capital

Community & CDFI Microlenders

Community development lenders and nonprofit microlenders can providecapital, technical assistance and business-development resources toentrepreneurs who may be underserved by conventional financialinstitutions.

Grameen America

Grameen America provides financial services and capital to women entrepreneurs in underserved communities.

Visit Grameen America →

Accessity

Accessity provides small-business financing and support to diverse entrepreneurs, including immigrants and veterans.

Visit Accessity →

Accompany Capital

Accompany Capital supports immigrant, refugee and underserved entrepreneurs with business financing and technical assistance.

Visit Accompany Capital →

Adirondack Economic Development Corp.

Provides business financing, entrepreneurial training and technical assistance to businesses in its regional market.

Visit AEDC →

Arcata Economic Development Corp.

Provides business financing and development support to entrepreneurs and businesses in Northern California.

Visit Arcata EDC →

Androscoggin Valley COG

Supports economic development and small businesses in Maine through financing and technical assistance.

Visit AVCOG →
04 — Online Financing

Online & Fintech Small-Business Lenders

Online and fintech financing platforms may provide digitalapplications, streamlined underwriting and alternative working-capitaloptions. Products and qualification requirements vary by provider.

Kiva U.S.

Kiva operates a crowdfunded lending platform designed to expand access to capital for entrepreneurs.

Visit Kiva →

LendThrive

LendThrive provides online financing products for qualifying small businesses through a digital application process.

Visit LendThrive →

OnDeck

OnDeck provides online business financing and working-capital solutions.

Visit OnDeck →

BlueVine

BlueVine provides digital financial services and flexible working-capital products to qualifying businesses.

Visit BlueVine →

Funding Circle

Funding Circle provides financing solutions for qualifying small businesses seeking growth and working capital.

05 — Specialized Funding

Specialized & Global Microlenders

USDA Farm Service Agency Microloans

USDA Farm Service Agency microloan programs are designed to support eligible agricultural producers and farm operations.

Accion Opportunity Fund

Accion Opportunity Fund supports diverse small-business owners through financing, coaching and business resources.

Visit Accion Opportunity Fund →

Grameen Bank

Grameen Bank is an international microfinance institution known for providing small-scale financing to entrepreneurs.

Visit Grameen Bank →

Zidisha

Zidisha connects entrepreneurs in developing markets directly with individual lenders through an online platform.

Visit Zidisha →
06 — Equipment Capital

Equipment Financing Companies for Small Businesses

Equipment financing can help businesses acquire vehicles, machinery,technology, medical equipment and other commercial assets whilepreserving working capital.

Crest Capital

Crest Capital provides equipment financing for businesses purchasing vehicles, machinery, technology and other commercial assets.

Visit Crest Capital →

Balboa Capital

Balboa Capital provides equipment financing and leasing options for qualifying businesses.

Visit Balboa Capital →

OnDeck

OnDeck provides business financing that qualifying companies may use for operational and equipment-related capital needs.

Visit OnDeck →

U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

U.S. Bank provides equipment financing solutions for qualifying commercial borrowers.

Bank of America Equipment Financing

Bank of America provides commercial equipment financing to qualifying business customers.

American Express Business Financing

American Express provides business financing products that may help eligible companies manage capital needs.

Midlands Equipment Finance

Midlands provides commercial equipment financing across multiple industries and asset classes.

GreatAmerica Financial Services

GreatAmerica provides equipment and technology financing programs through vendors and commercial partners.

Visit GreatAmerica →

Siemens Financial Services

Siemens Financial Services supports asset and equipment financing across industrial, healthcare, energy and technology markets.

Visit Siemens →
07 — Equity Capital

Top Venture Capital Firms

Venture capital generally targets businesses with significant growthpotential, scalable business models and the opportunity to generatesubstantial investor returns. Investment criteria vary widely by firm,industry, stage and geography.

Sequoia Capital

Global venture capital firm investing in technology and high-growth companies across multiple stages.

Visit Sequoia Capital →

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)

Venture capital firm investing across software, AI, fintech, healthcare, consumer technology and other growth sectors.

Visit a16z →

Accel

Global venture capital firm focused on early and growth-stage technology companies.

Visit Accel →

Kleiner Perkins

Venture capital firm investing in technology, healthcare and innovation-driven businesses.

Visit Kleiner Perkins →

Bessemer Venture Partners

Multi-stage venture capital firm investing across enterprise, consumer, healthcare and technology markets.

Visit Bessemer →

New Enterprise Associates (NEA)

Large venture capital firm investing across technology, healthcare and multiple stages of company development.

Visit NEA →

Lightspeed Venture Partners

Global venture capital firm investing in enterprise, consumer, fintech and healthcare companies.

Visit Lightspeed →

Khosla Ventures

Venture capital firm investing in AI, healthcare, sustainability and other innovation-driven sectors.

Visit Khosla Ventures →

Tiger Global Management

Investment firm active in technology, software, internet and growth-stage companies globally.

Visit Tiger Global →

General Catalyst

Venture capital firm investing in technology, healthcare, fintech and growth-oriented companies.

Visit General Catalyst →

Benchmark

Early-stage venture capital firm known for investing in technology companies and scalable digital platforms.

Visit Benchmark →

Founders Fund

Venture capital firm investing in technology businesses across early and growth stages.

Visit Founders Fund →

Sapphire Ventures

Investment firm focused primarily on growth-stage enterprise technology companies.

Visit Sapphire Ventures →

Battery Ventures

Global investment firm investing across software, industrial technology and technology-enabled services.

Visit Battery Ventures →

CRV

Early-stage venture capital firm investing in consumer and enterprise technology businesses.

Visit CRV →

TCV

Growth-focused investment firm backing technology companies and scalable digital businesses.

Visit TCV →

Qiming Venture Partners

Venture capital organization investing in technology and healthcare businesses.

Visit Qiming →

ARCH Venture Partners

Venture capital firm focused on science, biotechnology, healthcare and advanced technology.

Visit ARCH Venture Partners →

Venrock

Venture capital firm investing in healthcare and technology companies.

Visit Venrock →

Index Ventures

Global venture capital firm investing in technology companies from early through growth stages.

Visit Index Ventures →

Greylock Partners

Venture capital firm investing in enterprise and consumer technology companies.

Visit Greylock →

Insight Partners

Global investment firm focused on software, internet and technology-enabled businesses.

Visit Insight Partners →

Menlo Ventures

Venture capital firm investing in enterprise, consumer, fintech and emerging technologies.

Visit Menlo Ventures →

SoftBank Vision Fund

Global technology investment fund focused on high-growth technology businesses.

Visit Vision Fund →

SOSV

Global venture firm and accelerator investor focused on deep technology, biotech, climate and hardware companies.

Visit SOSV →

Techstars

Global startup accelerator and investor providing capital, mentorship and entrepreneurial support.

Visit Techstars →

500 Global

Global venture capital firm investing in early-stage companies across numerous markets and industries.

Visit 500 Global →

Alumni Ventures

Venture investment organization providing diversified access to private-company investments.

Antler

Global early-stage investor supporting founders from company formation through initial growth.

Visit Antler →

FJ Labs

Venture capital firm with experience investing in marketplaces, fintech and digital businesses.

Visit FJ Labs →

Canaan

Early-stage venture capital firm investing across technology and healthcare.

Visit Canaan →

RRE Ventures

New York-based venture capital firm investing in technology-driven companies.

Visit RRE Ventures →

Union Square Ventures

Venture capital firm focused on technology, networks, platforms and scalable digital businesses.

Visit Union Square Ventures →

GV

Alphabet-backed venture capital firm investing across technology, life sciences and other innovative sectors.

Visit GV →

Felicis

Venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology businesses across multiple sectors.

Visit Felicis →

Initialized Capital

Early-stage venture capital firm focused on founder-led technology companies.

Visit Initialized →

DCVC

Deep-technology venture capital firm investing in science, computing and technology-driven businesses.

Visit DCVC →

Balderton Capital

European venture capital firm investing primarily in technology businesses.

Visit Balderton →

Coatue

Global investment firm active across public and private technology companies.

Visit Coatue →

Lux Capital

Venture capital firm investing in science and deep-technology companies.

Visit Lux Capital →

First Round Capital

Seed-stage venture capital firm providing early financing and operational support to startups.

Visit First Round →

Foundry Group

Investment firm known for backing technology companies and startup ecosystems.

Visit Foundry Group →

NextView Ventures

Seed-stage venture capital firm investing in technology businesses serving consumers and businesses.

Visit NextView →

Wing Venture Capital

Early-stage venture capital firm focused on enterprise technology and B2B businesses.

Visit Wing →

Version One Ventures

Early-stage investor focused on software, marketplaces and emerging digital business models.

Visit Version One →

Redpoint Ventures

Venture capital firm investing across enterprise and consumer technology.

Visit Redpoint →

Upfront Ventures

Los Angeles-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology businesses.

Visit Upfront Ventures →

Canvas Ventures

Early-stage venture capital firm investing in technology-driven companies.

Visit Canvas Ventures →

Y Combinator

Startup accelerator and early-stage investor providing seed funding, mentorship and access to a broad founder network.

Visit Y Combinator →
Investor Readiness

Planning to Raise Investor Capital?

Wise Business Plans can help prepare your investor business plan,financial model, market analysis, pitch deck and supportingcapital-raising materials.

Prepare for Investors →
08 — Crowdlending

U.S.-Based Crowdlending & Marketplace Platforms

Crowdlending and marketplace financing models connect borrowers orbusinesses with capital through online platforms. Structures vary andmay include business lending, consumer lending, community financingor investment-based funding.

Funding Circle

Funding Circle provides online financing solutions for qualifying small businesses.

LendingClub

LendingClub operates a digital financial services and lending platform.

StreetShares

StreetShares has historically focused on small-business and veteran-related financing solutions.

Visit StreetShares →

Kiva U.S.

Kiva operates a crowdfunded lending platform designed to expand access to capital for entrepreneurs.

Visit Kiva →

Mainvest

Mainvest has operated as an investment platform focused on community and small-business fundraising.

Visit Mainvest →
09 — International Funding

International Peer-to-Peer & Crowdlending Platforms

International peer-to-peer and crowdlending platforms connectborrowers, businesses, projects or loan originators with individualand institutional investors. Availability and regulatory requirementsvary by country and platform.

Zopa

Zopa is a United Kingdom financial services company that originated as one of the early peer-to-peer lending platforms.

Visit Zopa →

Mintos

Mintos is a European investment marketplace providing access to loan-based and other investment opportunities.

Visit Mintos →

Bondora

Bondora is a European financial technology company operating in consumer credit and investment markets.

Visit Bondora →

Lendahand

Lendahand is an impact-focused investment platform connecting investors with businesses and projects in developing markets.

Visit Lendahand →

Trine

Trine is an impact investment platform focused on financing solar-energy and clean-energy projects.

Visit Trine →
10 — Alternative Capital

Alternative Lending & Equity Funding Platforms

Alternative funding platforms can provide access to capital outsidetraditional bank lending. Depending on the provider, the product mayinvolve consumer credit, marketplace lending, equity crowdfunding orprivate investment.

Upstart

Upstart is a technology-enabled lending platform using automated underwriting technology and lending partnerships to provide consumer credit products.

Visit Upstart →

Prosper

Prosper is an online consumer lending marketplace providing access to personal financing products.

Visit Prosper →

SeedInvest

SeedInvest has operated as an equity crowdfunding platform connecting eligible startups seeking capital with investors.

StartEngine

StartEngine is an equity crowdfunding platform allowing eligible companies to raise investment capital from participating investors.

Visit StartEngine →

Republic

Republic is a private investment platform providing access to startup and other alternative investment opportunities.

Important: Funding products, investment opportunities,eligibility requirements, rates, terms, platform availability andregulatory requirements can change. Wise Business Plans does notendorse or guarantee financing from any lender, investment firm orfunding platform listed in this resource. Always verify currentinformation directly with the applicable provider.
11 — Funding Preparation

Finding Capital Is Only the First Step

The right funding source depends on your business model, stage,capital requirements, financial performance, use of funds andlong-term objectives.

Wise Business Plans helps entrepreneurs and established companiesprepare the strategy, business planning and financial materialsneeded to pursue financing and investment opportunities.

SBA & Bank Business Plans

Professional business plans structured to support bank and SBA financing applications.

Investor Business Plans

Investor-focused plans designed to communicate the opportunity, strategy, market and financial model.

Financial Forecasting

Detailed financial projections and modeling to support financing, investment and strategic planning.

Pitch Decks

Professionally structured investor presentations designed to communicate the investment opportunity clearly.

Feasibility Studies

Market, financial and operational analysis for larger or more complex projects.

Capital Advisory

Strategic support for companies evaluating capital needs, financing alternatives and investor readiness.

Wise Business Plans®

Not Sure Which Funding Path Fits Your Business?

Wise can help you evaluate your funding objective, prepare thebusiness case and build the financial and strategic materials neededto approach lenders or investors.

Get a Quote Today →

Wise Business Plans® Overview

Whether you’re a startup seeking seed capital, a franchise owner looking for SBA 7(a) financing, or an established business upgrading machinery, our curated database will help you:

  • Compare the best lenders across every funding category
  • Understand eligibility requirements
  • Identify lender specialties by industry and loan type
  • Access direct links to apply or get pre-qualified
  • Gain insights from 15+ years of funding preparation expertise

As seen in Forbes, Business.com, and Entrepreneur, Wise Business Plans has helped over 15,000 entrepreneurs raise $2B+ in funding — and now we’re bringing that insight to you.