
Private commercial loans offer a vital source of non-bank capital funding for businesses. These loans can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs and small business owners who need access to capital quickly.
Non-bank lenders often have more flexible underwriting criteria than traditional banks, making it easier for businesses to qualify for a loan. This can be especially helpful for companies in industries that are considered high-risk by traditional lenders.
Private commercial loans can be used for a variety of business purposes, including expansion, acquisition, and refinancing existing debt. They can also be used to provide working capital to businesses that need it to stay afloat during times of economic uncertainty.
In many cases, private commercial loans have more favorable terms than traditional bank loans, including lower interest rates and longer repayment periods.
Explore further: How to Get a Small Business Loan without Collateral
Types of Loans
Private commercial loans can be obtained from various sources. Private lenders offer a unique alternative to traditional lenders.
The borrower can be a professional entity, a private company, or an individual. Unlike traditional lenders, private lenders focus more on the value and potential profitability of the property.
Private money loans are commonly used for short-term financing. They allow borrowers to seize timely investment opportunities.
Private lenders focus more on the value and potential profitability of the property, allowing borrowers to seize timely investment opportunities.
For your interest: Commercial Investment Property Loans
Pros and Cons
Private commercial loans can be a game-changer for businesses in need of funding.
Private lenders have significantly higher approval rates compared to banks, with some reaching up to 90% approval rates, depending on the company's financial health.
The ease of obtaining funds from private lenders is also a major advantage, with reduced documentation requirements and more flexibility in how the funds can be used.
This can be particularly beneficial for businesses with lower credit scores, as private lenders can accept credit as low as 500, whereas banks often require a minimum credit score of 680.
With private commercial loans, businesses can also expect a speedier funding process and more creative loan options that think outside the box of traditional banking.
For another approach, see: Premium Capital Funding
Pros
Flexible lending criteria is a major advantage of private lenders. They consider the potential profitability of the property, making them an attractive option for borrowers with unconventional financial situations.
Private lenders can fund loans more quickly than traditional banks, allowing borrowers to capitalize on time-sensitive investment opportunities. In fact, private lenders can close a deal in less than two weeks, while banks can take a couple of months.
Additional reading: How Do Banks Price Commercial Loans
Private lenders offer flexible repayment options, allowing borrowers to tailor the loan terms to their specific needs. This is a huge advantage for borrowers who may not fit the traditional bank's lending criteria.
Private lenders often possess superior knowledge of the local real estate market, providing borrowers with more loan options and insights. This expertise can be a game-changer for borrowers looking to invest in a specific area.
Here are some key benefits of private lending:
Cons
Higher interest rates and fees are a significant con of private loans. They can increase the overall cost of borrowing, making it more expensive to access the funds you need.
Private money lenders can be harder to find than traditional banks. You may need to network and research to find a reliable lender, which can be time-consuming.
The downside of private business lending is that you'll pay higher interest rates than you would with conventional financing. This is because private lenders take on more risk, which is reflected in the interest rates they charge.
Consider reading: I Have Collateral and Need a Loan

Here are some key differences between private and bank loans:
Private equipment lenders can be an option for small businesses that need equipment but can't get a loan from a bank. They typically buy the equipment and then lease it back to the business.
Hard money lenders often offer shorter terms than bank mortgages, which can be beneficial for real estate investors who plan to sell or refinance the property within a shorter period.
On a similar theme: Where Can You Get a Loan without a Bank Account
Funding and Rates
Private commercial loans can be a viable option for businesses that need funding quickly, but it's essential to understand the costs involved. Private loans generally carry higher interest rates and fees compared to bank mortgages, with interest rates ranging from 10% to 12% and loan origination fees of up to 3 points.
The interest rates for private commercial loans can vary depending on factors such as the borrower's creditworthiness, the term of the loan, and market conditions. For example, private term lenders may offer rates and terms similar to bank loans for commercial real estate loans, but often focus on shorter-term, higher-rate bridge loans.
Here's a comparison of interest rates for alternative lending and bank loans:
Keep in mind that these interest rates are for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect actual market rates.
Related reading: Commercial Loans Interest Rates History Chart
Speed of Funding: Lenders vs. Banks
Private lenders can close a deal in less than two weeks, providing quick financing solutions for borrowers who need funds urgently.
Private lenders have a streamlined approval process and minimal documentation requirements, which contributes to their faster funding timeline.
In contrast, banks take a couple of months to approve a mortgage, due to their more detailed underwriting process.
This slower application process can be a deterrent for borrowers looking for fast funding, and may cause them to miss out on timely investment opportunities.
If this caught your attention, see: Angel Group Funding
Interest Rates & Fees
Private loans generally carry higher interest rates than bank loans, ranging from 10% to 12% compared to 5% to 8% for bank loans.
The higher interest rates for private loans are due to the increased risk associated with alternative lending, as lenders often provide financing to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit history.
The interest rates for both types of loans can vary depending on factors such as the borrower's creditworthiness and the term of the loan.
Consider reading: Interest Only Commercial Loans
Private lenders may also charge higher fees, such as origination fees, processing fees, and closing costs, which contribute to the overall cost of borrowing.
Some private lenders may offer rates and terms similar to banks for commercial real estate loans, but many focus on shorter-term, higher-rate bridge loans.
Here's a comparison of interest rates for alternative lending and bank loans:
It's essential to review the fee structures of both alternative lenders and banks to determine the most cost-effective commercial real estate loan for your next project.
Loan Terms and Repayment
Loan terms can significantly affect the feasibility and profitability of a private commercial loan. Hard money lenders typically offer shorter terms compared to bank mortgages, which can be advantageous for investors who plan to sell or refinance the property within a shorter period.
The term length of a loan can impact the overall interest payments. Longer loan terms, typically offered by banks, can result in higher overall interest payments.
For investors who plan to hold onto the property long-term, a longer loan term can provide greater stability. However, this must be weighed against the potential for higher interest payments.
A different take: Short Term Bridging Loan
Impact of Loan Terms on Investors
Loan terms can make or break an investment, and it's essential to understand the impact they have on investors. Hard money lenders typically offer shorter terms compared to bank mortgages.
The shorter-term length of alternative lending can be advantageous for real estate investors who plan to sell or refinance the property within a shorter period. This can be a game-changer for those who need to act quickly.
Bank mortgages, on the other hand, offer longer repayment terms, typically 15 or 30 years for residential loans. Longer loan terms can provide greater stability for long-term real estate ownership.
However, the longer loan term can also result in higher overall interest payments. This is something to consider carefully before committing to a longer-term loan.
Expand your knowledge: Terms for Commercial Real Estate Loans
Prepayment Penalties
Prepayment Penalties can be a significant cost for commercial real estate loans. Commercial lenders often have prepayment penalties associated with these kinds of loans.
These penalties can be expensive, particularly if prepaid within a brief period after the loan closes. For example, a 5-year term loan on a commercial property might have a prepayment penalty as high as "5,4,3,2,1".
This means that if paid off during the first year, the borrower would have to pay 5% of the outstanding loan amount when they pay off the loan. Most private loans, on the other hand, usually have a relatively weak prepayment penalty.
Consider reading: Home Equity Loan to Pay off Student Loans
Flexibility in Repayment Comparisons
Hard money loans offer more options for repayment flexibility compared to bank mortgages. Alternative lenders allow borrowers to customize repayment terms based on their unique financial situation and investment strategy.
Private lenders offer interest-only payments, allowing borrowers to focus on cash flow during the loan term. This can be beneficial for investors who need to manage their cash flow carefully.
Bank mortgages typically have more rigid repayment structures, requiring full principal and interest payments throughout the loan term. Some banks may offer options for bi-weekly payments or early repayment, but these may come with restrictions or additional fees.
Private lenders may provide more flexibility in prepayment penalties, allowing borrowers to pay off the loan early without incurring excessive fees. This can be a significant advantage for borrowers who need to adjust their financial situation.
Additional reading: Short Term Rental Loan
What is a NO-DOC Mortgage?
A NO-DOC mortgage is a type of private money loan program that doesn't require income verification from the borrower.
These loans are based on the borrower's credit history, investing experience, and liquid assets, which are then processed through underwriting.
NO-DOC mortgage loans are available for investment properties, including multi-family, commercial, mixed-use, office, retail, industrial, and warehouse properties.
They're a good option for potential investors who can't go to a bank or traditional financing due to not having a regular source of income, being self-employed, or having incomes that aren't easily verified.
Here are some key features of NO-DOC commercial real estate loans:
- Investment Properties Only: Multi-Family, Commercial, Mixed Use, Office, Retail, Industrial, Warehouse
- Rates Starting at 8.49%
- $200K – $5M
- Up to 80% LTV
- Fixed Rates/Adjustable
- 5/1 ARM, 30-Year Fixed
- Interest Only Option Available
- Foreign Nationals Eligible
- No Prepayment Penalty Option Available
Security and LTV
Security and LTV ratios play a crucial role in determining the amount of financing provided by lenders. In some cases, private lenders may offer higher LTV ratios compared to commercial banks, allowing borrowers to access more funds for their real estate projects.
Private lenders evaluate security by considering factors such as location, market conditions, rental income potential, and the borrower's experience and track record in real estate. They also assess the property's condition and any existing leases or tenants.
Explore further: 90 Ltv Commercial Loans
Private lenders may offer higher LTV ratios, often particularly true for value-add rehab projects and smaller investment properties. This can provide borrowers with more funds for their real estate projects, but it also increases the risk for the lender.
Here's a breakdown of how private lenders evaluate security:
By considering these factors, private lenders can determine the level of risk involved and make informed decisions about providing financing.
For your interest: Does Regulation B Apply to Commercial Loans
Collateralized vs Unsecured Lending
Collateralized lending requires collateral, such as a company's accounts receivable, to secure the loan. Private lenders that offer lines of credit focus on a company's assets to collateralize their funding facility.
Some private lenders may offer rates and terms similar to banks for commercial real estate loans, but many focus on shorter-term, higher-rate bridge loans. Private term loans for working capital uses are generally in the 1-5 year range, with rates that can start at nearly bank-rate.
Private lenders that offer working capital for small businesses often require monitoring the accounts receivable to check for ups and downs. This type of financing requires a company's net profitability to service the debt solely through profits.
Take a look at this: Current Prime Rate for Commercial Loans
Private lenders that focus on purchasing, refinancing, and consolidation of small business merchant cash advances often require a company to show the ability to service the debt solely through profits. These types of funding companies focus heavily on net profitability.
Here are some types of collateralized lending:
- Private line of credit lenders, which usually focus on a company's accounts receivable as collateral
- Private working capital lenders, which often require monitoring the accounts receivable
- Private future receivables financing, which involves purchasing a portion of the firm's future business receivables
- Private factoring companies, which pay up to 95% of the invoice's value with a day or two of the invoice being submitted
Security and LTV Ratios
Private lenders may offer higher Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratios compared to commercial banks, allowing borrowers to access more funds for their real estate projects.
This is often particularly true for value-add rehab projects, especially for smaller investment properties.
Private lenders consider factors such as the property's location, market conditions, rental income potential, and the borrower's experience and track record in real estate when evaluating security.
By assessing the security of the investment property, lenders can determine the level of risk involved and make informed decisions about providing financing.
Here's a breakdown of the factors private lenders consider:
- Property location
- Market conditions
- Rental income potential
- Borrower's experience and track record in real estate
- Property condition
- Existing leases or tenants
Bank Financing
Bank financing can be a game-changer for businesses looking to secure private commercial loans.
Private lenders often have more flexible terms than traditional banks, allowing for longer repayment periods and lower interest rates.
This can be particularly beneficial for small businesses or startups that may not have a long credit history.
In fact, some private lenders may not even require a minimum credit score, making them a more accessible option for businesses with less-than-perfect credit.
The application process for bank financing is typically more complex and time-consuming than with private lenders, often involving multiple rounds of approvals and paperwork.
Private lenders, on the other hand, usually have a faster and more streamlined application process, allowing businesses to access funds quickly.
Interest rates on private commercial loans can be significantly lower than those offered by traditional banks, sometimes as low as 6-8% APR.
This can result in substantial savings for businesses over the life of the loan, allowing them to allocate more resources towards growth and expansion.
See what others are reading: Commercial Banks Savings and Loan Associations and Credit Unions
Loan Options and Providers
Private commercial loans offer a range of options for businesses looking for alternative funding sources. You can choose from various types of private lenders, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Private term lenders, for example, can offer term loans that are similar to those provided by banks, although with shorter terms and higher rates. They often focus on real estate or working capital uses.
Private line of credit providers, on the other hand, typically focus on a company's assets to collateralize their funding facility, often using accounts receivable as collateral.
Private working capital lenders offer a variety of loan options, with rates starting in the single digits, but can also be expensive if the risk supports the high rates.
There are also private lenders that specialize in purchasing, refinancing, and consolidating small business merchant cash advances into more affordable payment plans.
Additionally, private lenders offer future receivables financing, where they purchase a portion of the firm's future business receivables and provide the business with a portion of those future receivables upfront.
You might like: Money Lender Business Loan
Some private lenders even offer factoring, allowing small businesses to sell their unpaid business invoices to a third party to obtain immediate cash.
Here are some common types of private lenders to consider:
- Private Term Lender: Offers term loans with shorter terms and higher rates.
- Private Line of Credit Provider: Focuses on a company's assets to collateralize their funding facility.
- Private Working Capital: Offers a variety of loan options with rates starting in the single digits.
- Private Cash Advance Consolidation: Purchases, refinances, and consolidates small business merchant cash advances.
- Private Future Receivables Financing: Purchases a portion of the firm's future business receivables.
- Private Factoring: Allows small businesses to sell their unpaid business invoices to a third party.
Commercial Real Estate Loans
Private money loans are a popular choice for commercial real estate projects because they focus on the property's value and potential profitability, allowing borrowers to seize timely investment opportunities.
Private lenders offer loans to professional entities, private companies, and individuals, making them a versatile option.
Private money loans are often used for short-term financing, which can be beneficial for borrowers who need to act quickly.
Unlike traditional lenders, private lenders don't require as much documentation, making the loan process faster and more efficient.
At Stratton Equities, they provide a range of loans for commercial properties, including NO-DOC loans that cater to different property types and situations.
NO-DOC loans offer flexibility and convenience, making them an attractive option for real estate investors.
You can learn more about the benefits of NO-DOC loans by reading Stratton Equities' latest blog post.
Related reading: No Doc Business Lines of Credit
What is a Loan?
A loan is essentially a type of debt financing, where you borrow money from a lender and promise to pay it back with interest.
Private business loans are a type of loan that doesn't require giving away a portion of your company's equity in order to obtain financing.
Loans can be structured in various ways, including as loans, lines of credit, factoring, and sales of future business receivables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percent down do you need for a commercial loan?
Typically, commercial loans require a down payment of 20-25% of the purchase amount. However, some programs and types may have varying down payment requirements.
What is the best loan for commercial property?
For commercial property loans, consider the SBA 504 loan for its low interest rates, or iBusiness Funding for quick access to funds.
Sources
- https://redtowercapital.com/blog/private-money-loans-vs.-bank-loans-in-commercial-real-estate
- https://nwprivatelending.com/hard-money-loans-we-offer/commercial-industrial-loans/
- https://gudcapital.com/private-business-loans/
- https://www.strattonequities.com/no-doc-commercial-real-estate-loans
- https://www.gokapital.com/top-private-commercial-real-estate/
Featured Images: pexels.com