Wells Fargo vs. Live Oak: Which small business lender is right for you?

Wells Fargo and Live Oak Bank both offer several small business loan options. While you currently won’t find as many business lending options as with other small business lenders, they both offer SBA loans and some commercial lending products.

The best small business lender for your business will depend on your business needs. Keep reading to learn how Wells Fargo and Live Oak Bank compare and which may be best for your business.

Wells Fargo vs. Live Oak Bank at a glance

Wells Fargo offers multiple business lines of credit in addition to SBA loans. While Live Oak may not have as many lending products as Wells Fargo — and doesn’t provide much information on products outside of SBA loans — they offer higher SBA loan amounts with a slightly lower personal credit score requirement. Wells Fargo’s requirements for its lines of credit are similar to most traditional bank business lenders, which means startups or newer businesses may not qualify.

Wells Fargo business loans

Wells Fargo offers several business lending products, including SBA loans and three business lines of credit — the BusinessLine®, the Small Business Advantage® and the Prime line of credit.

Wells Fargo has a personal credit score requirement of 680 and a time in business requirement of two years, so their business lines of credit are better suited for more established businesses.

But, their Small Business Advantage® line of credit is backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, with a time in business requirement of less than two years. APRs are higher, and lending amounts are lower than its other lines of credit, but it is a good option if you prefer a traditional bank lender and don’t have two years or more in business.

Pros

• Rewards program
• SBA loan lender
• Multiple line of credit options

Cons

• Personal guarantee may be required
• Potential annual fee
• Limited loan options

Live Oak Bank business loans

Live Oak offers SBA 7(a) loans, SBA 504 loans, USDA loans and conventional business loans. For 7(a) and 504 loans, Live Oak requires personal guarantees. There are also collateral requirements. Terms vary from 10 to 25 years, depending on what you’re using the funds for.

USDA rural development loans are available to businesses that meet specific rural requirements from the USDA. Live Oak has limited information on its site about USDA loans, so you’ll need to contact them directly for more information.

Live Oak Bank also doesn’t disclose interest rates for their loans, but they are required to be within the SBA interest rate caps.

As online information is limited, you’ll want to contact Live Oak directly if you’re interested in other commercial loans.

Pros

• Weekend customer service availability
• Dedicated business analyst manages your loan
• SBA Preferred Lender

Cons

• Limited information available on website
• Industry restrictions
• No online portal for loans

How to choose between Wells Fargo and Live Oak

Choosing between Wells Fargo and Live Oak will likely depend on your business’s needs. While both offer SBA products, if you’re specifically interested in SBA loans or are a newer business, you may have an easier time meeting Live Oak’s requirements. If you’re interested in other types of lending products outside of SBA loans, Wells Fargo’s business lines of credit are fairly adaptable, but you’ll need good-to-excellent credit as with most traditional lenders.

Choose Wells Fargo for business lines of credit

Wells Fargo offers three different business lines of credit with both secured and unsecured options, depending on customer needs. Their rates are competitive as long as you meet their lending requirements. But, the amount of time in business required differs for Wells Fargo’s line of credit options, so less established businesses may still qualify.

If a business has been established for a longer period and is looking for a larger loan amount with a competitive rate, the BusinessLine® and Prime lines of credit have loan amounts ranging from $10,000 to $1 million.

While Live Oak offers other commercial lending products, they don’t provide much information online, making Wells Fargo more accessible.

Choose Live Oak for SBA loans

Both Wells Fargo and Live Oak offer SBA loans, but Live Oak is the best lender for SBA loans as that’s its primary focus. They also offer loan amounts up to $15 million — $5 million more than Wells Fargo.

Like Wells Fargo, Live Oak is an SBA Preferred Lender, meaning they can approve loans themselves, cutting out the wait time it takes other lenders to get SBA approval. This sped-up process and Live Oak’s focus on SBA loans can help your business quickly get the SBA-guaranteed funds it seeks.

Alternatives

Wells Fargo and Live Oak aren’t the only small business lenders. As you review small business financing options, look at your needs and determine what’s important.

For example, Bank of America offers one of the lowest starting interest rates for SBA loans, making them a worthwhile choice if you prefer a traditional lender. If you don’t have excellent credit and are having trouble meeting lender requirements, Credibly has a variety of direct and partner loan options with personal credit requirements starting at 550.

As an alternative to these loan types, you could also get a business credit card. While similar to a business line of credit, a business credit card can provide more flexibility. Business credit cards often come with an option to earn rewards or introductory APR offers, and you won’t be any interest if your balance is paid in full every month.

Bottom line

The best lender will be different for every business. Wells Fargo and Live Oak Bank small business loans have pros and cons depending on your business’s needs. While Wells Fargo is good for businesses seeking lines of credit, Live Oak Bank is a solid choice for SBA loans due to it being one of the top SBA 7(a) originators for 2023. To choose the best lender for your business, consider your needs and compare loan types, interest rates and other requirements from multiple lenders.

Frequently asked questions

• How long does it take to get a Wells Fargo business line of credit?

  The time it takes to get approval for a Wells Fargo business line of credit differs by the type of credit line you want. Once you apply for the Wells Fargo Prime Line of Credit, it typically takes two weeks to process your application. The lender doesn’t offer specific approval timelines for the other two business lines of credit they offer.
  

• Is Live Oak Bank an SBA lender?

  Yes, Live Oak Bank is an SBA lender, specifically an SBA Preferred Lender. This means they can provide quicker approval times than other lenders that offer SBA loans.

• How much money do you need to open a business bank account with Wells Fargo?

  To open a basic business checking account with Wells Fargo, you will need to provide an initial deposit of at least $25. After that, you can avoid a $10 monthly service fee if you maintain a minimum balance of at least $500. However, this is not required to keep your bank account open.