Average business loan interest rates in 2024

Interest rates for a business loan can vary considerably based on your business finances, industry and credit history. With good or excellent credit, you could see small business loan rates as low as 7 percent to 8 percent.

But interest rates can vary significantly based on your business’s financials, the lender and the type of loan you choose. Business lenders have a tendency to charge interest in different ways, making comparing interest rates confusing.

Knowing the average interest rates can give you a good starting point for choosing the right loan and lender.

Average business loan interest rates

According to the latest data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the average interest rate for urban small business term loans in Q3 2023 was 7.71 percent for fixed-rate loans and 8.98 percent for variable-rate loans.

But the federal funds rate has risen since 2023 — and actual loan rates tend to rise as well. So these averages are likely higher today.

These are typical starting business loan interest rates. But note that many lenders don’t disclose the upper end of their rate range — so the rate you’re offered will be significantly higher if you have poor credit.

Rates accurate as of March 2024; *Source for average rates: Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank

What is a business loan interest rate?

Interest is the cost of a business loan. It’s typically expressed as a percentage of the amount you borrowed that is added to your balance each year.

Usually, you’ll see business loan rates quoted as an annual percentage rate (APR). The APR for a loan reflects interest plus any fees or other charges you might have to pay, such as origination or underwriting fees.

That means the APR of a loan is usually higher than its interest rate, but it provides a more complete view of the cost of borrowing. If you know your loan amount, term and interest rate, you can use a business loan calculator to figure out your business loan’s cost.

However, business loans aren’t subject to the Truth in Lending Act, which requires lenders to show interest rates in a uniform way and include their loan fees. The result is that business lenders charge interest in a number of ways, including:

What is a factor rate?

A factor rate is a multiplier that some lenders use to calculate the cost of a loan. Lenders use a decimal such as 1.10 or 1.50 in place of an interest rate or APR. Unfortunately, factor rates are often used for business loans to risky borrowers, such as short-term loans or merchant cash advances.

Unfortunately, factor rates don’t give you an idea of the annual cost of borrowing or incorporate other business loan fees. This makes it difficult to compare the loan cost to loans with an APR since APR does represent the annual interest paid plus certain fees. To make sure you’re getting the most affordable loan, make sure you convert factor rates to interest rates.

Is a small business loan a variable or fixed rate?

Small business loans can come with both variable and fixed interest rates. It depends on the type of loan that you choose.

A variable interest rate is one that can change throughout the life of the loan. They’re typically based on an interest rate benchmark and move along with the benchmark. Your loan can get cheaper if rates fall but also get more expensive if they rise.

Fixed-rate loans have a single, fixed interest rate that doesn’t change. These offer predictability in your monthly payments.

Term loans, equipment loans, and other lump sum loans have fixed rates more often than not. Things like lines of credit, credit cards and merchant cash advances are more likely to have variable interest rates.

Factors that can affect business loan interest rates

Many factors influence business loan rates — some that borrowers can influence and others that they can’t.

Federal funds rate

Business owners can’t control market and economic conditions. The Federal Reserve sets the federal funds rate, a benchmark interest rate, based on the economy. It tends to raise rates when the economy is overheating or inflation is high and drop them when recession looms.

Because the federal funds rate can be a benchmark for other loans, the rates you’ll pay for new business loans can change as the Fed funds rate changes. If you choose a variable interest rate, your rate will change with market conditions over your loan’s life; with a fixed rate, it remains the same.

Your business’s characteristics

Lenders look at a few aspects of your business to predict how risky lending to you might be.

Some characteristics they examine include:

• Age: The older your business is, the less risky it will appear to lenders. According to the 2023 Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS), 66 percent of employer businesses that were fully approved for loans had over 20 years in business. Just 40 percent were approved with five years or less in business.
• Revenue: Companies with more revenue and better cash flow can secure lower rates. According to SBCS, 50 percent of applicants with $100,000 to $1 million in annual revenue were fully approved versus 31 percent with less.
• Industry: Some industries, like food service, have higher failure rates, which may cause lenders to charge higher rates or partially approve funding. Based on the SBCS, the industry with a 63 percent approval rate is manufacturing, whereas the hospitality industry is less likely to be fully approved.
• Business plan: Having a solid business plan that shows how you’ll use the loan to grow and how you’ll repay the debt can help convince some lenders to offer better rates.
• Credit score: It’s possible to get a business loan with a personal credit score of 500. But the higher your credit score, the easier it will be to secure a lower rate.
• Personal financial details: Many lenders will look at your personal credit score and finances, especially if your business is young. Having strong personal credit and finances can help secure lower rates.

The lender type

Different types of lenders offer different types of loans and have different interest rates. Applying for a business loan with the wrong lender could end up costing you more or lead to your application being denied.

Traditional lenders, like banks and credit unions, offer a variety of loan types, and their rates can vary significantly. It’s worth checking with your bank to see if they offer a good deal to borrowers with current business bank accounts.

Online and other alternative lenders often focus on a specific type of loan and a specific type of borrower. You can find great rates from online lenders focusing on companies with great credit. If you choose a lender focusing on young companies or those with bad credit, rates may be very high.

SBA loans are backed by the federal government and administered through both traditional and online lenders. These loans may be easier to qualify for if you don’t have great credit and want reasonable interest rates. But they come with a lot of bureaucracy and paperwork. Don’t expect a quick approval if you opt for an SBA loan.

Collateral

Some business lenders let you select between a secured or unsecured loan. A secured loan is backed by collateral — an asset such as inventory or property — that the lender can seize if you default on your loan.

Secured loans reduce the lender’s risk, leading to lower interest rates. Unsecured loans have higher rates but don’t require collateral.

How to get the best business loan interest rate

The number one thing you can do to secure the best business loan rates is to make sure your business looks like a low-risk borrower to lenders. That means high revenue, strong cash flow and a good credit history.

Another way to appear low-risk is by improving your credit score. Both your personal and business credit can matter. Personal credit is especially important if you’re running a startup or a smaller business. Always pay your bills on time and keep your debts low relative to your income to strengthen your credit.

But those steps won’t be enough on their own. Interest rates on business loans can vary by lender. You’ll need to shop around and compare offers from multiple lenders to find the best deal. Many lenders offer online prequalification tools and other ways to get quotes with just a soft credit pull (which doesn’t impact your credit score).

Even if you’re shopping for a bad credit business loan, it’s worth comparing lenders to try to save some money.

Once you have several quotes, compare them to find the most favorable rate and terms that work for you. You can try negotiating with each lender to secure an even lower rate or simply select the one with the lowest APR.

Another option for lowering rates is to choose a secured loan over an unsecured loan.

What’s a good business loan interest rate?

A good interest rate on a business loan will be the lowest interest rate that you qualify for based on your credit profile. Ideally, you would qualify for the lowest interest rates the lender offers.

Banks and some online lenders start interest rates around 6 percent to 8 percent. But if you have weak revenue or a poor credit profile, you might only qualify for interest rates of 20 percent to 99 percent.

Either way, you want to compare loan offers from multiple lenders to find the best business loan interest rates available to you.

The bottom line

Lenders take a variety of factors into account when setting small business loan rates, especially your business’s credit history, time in business and revenue. Knowing the average interest rates can guide you in choosing the best business loan, though your rate may look different based on your creditworthiness.

Make sure to shop around to compare loan offers, consider using collateral to secure a lower interest rate, and take steps to improve your credit score to get the best deal. With the right loan, businesses can finance expensive purchases, invest in growth, and manage their cash flow in a cost-effective way.

Frequently asked questions

• Do business loans have low interest rates?

  Low interest rates are possible for business loans, but it depends on your business’s — and in many cases personal — credit history. The lowest interest rates of around 6 percent go to borrowers with high revenue and strong credit such as a credit score of 670+, among other factors.
  

• What is a good interest rate for a business loan?

  The most ideal interest rates for a business loan fall between 7 percent and 16 percent. Yet 20 percent to 30 percent could be considered good for a bad credit business loan. When it comes to paying interest on a loan, the lowest rate you can find for your credit profile is a good rate.
  

• How are SBA loan interest rates calculated?

  The SBA sets maximum rates using a base rate plus another rate specified by the SBA, such as prime + 4.25%. Fixed-rate loans use the prime rate as its base, which is a market rate published by the Wall Street Journal. Variable-rate loans are based on the prime rate, LIBOR interest rate index or the peg rate, which is an optional set of rates published by the SBA.