The process moves faster when you have your documents ready. This list covers 90% of what any lender will ask for.
Financial documents
- Bank statements for the last 3 months, for all lenders, at minimum. Some ask for 12 months.
- Tax returns from the last year, for longer terms, the last 2–3 years.
- Year-to-date Profit & Loss (P&L), typically YTD.
- Balance sheet, usually for loans over $100K.
Business legal documents
- Business license, current, not expired.
- EIN letter (SS-4) or Articles of Incorporation, the document showing the EIN number.
- Lease of premises, if applicable.
- Primary owner ID, a current driver's license or passport.
Practical tips
Keep a digital folder with these documents updated every month. It will save you weeks when it's time to apply. If you work with a bookkeeper, make sure the P&L is updated through at least last month.
If something is missing, don't worry — we'll tell you upfront what each lender in our network needs, and many accept partial documents in the first review phase.
Ready for an honest conversation about capital for your business?