Small business loans are available from a variety of sources, ranging from online lenders to traditional banks. 

If you decide that a bank is the best lender for your financial situation, preparing the necessary documentation in advance can help you to stay organized throughout the application process. 

Documents about yourself

Some banks may consider your application differently if you are an existing customer. If you have any accounts with the lender you are applying for a business loan with, be sure to include this information if you are given the opportunity to provide it.

Also, be prepared to provide:

  • Personal identification verifying your name, personal address, date of birth and Social Security number
  • Banking statements
  • Personal tax returns (may or may not be required, but helpful to have on hand)
  • Your resume, which can support your creditworthiness as an entrepreneur

Documents about your business

As a rule of thumb, traditional lenders may require more documentation than competing online lenders. 

Though the application process may be more involved for a conventional bank loan, you may find the terms more favorable — especially if you have a well-established business with good or excellent credit.

Gather:

Founding and legal documents 

  • Articles of incorporation
  • An operating agreement (if your business is an LLC)
  • Information about your business name and registration
  • Ownership structure 
  • Franchise information, if this applies

Business financials

  • Tax returns
  • Profit-and-loss statements
  • Banking records
  • Your business credit score
  • Information about any other outstanding business debts

Other:

Other documents

If you’re applying for a secured loan, you’ll also need to provide collateral information on the assets you’re using to secure the loan. These assets may include equipment, technology, vehicles, real estate and bank accounts. 

You may need to include an appraisal to prove the asset’s worth.

Some lenders require a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) lien filing to formalize their right to your collateral if you default. The lender should generate this as a part of your loan’s closing documents, so you are not responsible for creating it. 

Be sure to retain a copy, though, and apply for a lien release once you’ve repaid your loan.

Documents for an SBA loan from a bank

Certain SBA loans will require additional documentation or forms in order to apply. These loans can be applied for through traditional banks, though they are funded differently from conventional business loans. 

SBA 7(a) loans are the most common type of SBA loan. For these applications, in addition to SBA-specific forms and the documents listed above, applicants will want to include:

  • A summary of the business history and its challenges, as well as information about how an SBA loan will help the business
  • Business lease information, if this applies
  • Projected financial statements

If you plan to use your SBA loan to buy another business, you will need to include additional documentation about that business, its assets and its history.

The bottom line

Different lenders will require different documents as a part of the loan application process, though many overlap. Ask your bank what documents may be helpful or necessary to substantiate your and your business’s creditworthiness. 

Having as much information on hand as possible throughout the application process can keep things running smoothly and help you clarify details during the underwriting process.