Best Business Loans for Small Businesses at Academy Bank

Business loans for small businesses can help you cover cash flow gaps, hire and pay employees, buy inventory or equipment, and fund growth without draining day-to-day operating funds. At Academy Bank, small business owners can compare several types of business loans—such as business lines of credit, term loans, and SBA loans—to find financing that fits their timeline and goals.

Key Takeaways: Small Business Loans

• A business line of credit can help with short-term needs like cash flow, inventory, and payroll because you can borrow, repay, and borrow again.
• A business term loan provides a lump sum for longer-term needs such as equipment purchases or consolidating debt.
• SBA loans offer competitive terms and longer repayment options, and Academy Bank can process them faster as an SBA Preferred Lender.
• The “best” business loan for small business depends on how quickly you need funds, what you are financing, and how predictable your repayment needs are.

Why Small Businesses Use Business Loans

Even healthy businesses run into moments where timing doesn’t match reality. Your vendor invoice might be due before customer payments arrive. A piece of equipment might break right before your busiest season. Or you may see an opportunity—new inventory, a larger space, a marketing push—that requires funding sooner than retained earnings allow.

Business loans can give you breathing room and buying power without forcing you to pause your growth plans. The key is choosing the right type of financing for the job, because the best loan for payroll and seasonal cash flow is often not the same as the best loan for a major purchase.

Three Common Business Loans for Small Businesses

Most small business financing decisions fall into a few core categories. Here’s how the main options typically work, and what they are best used for:

A business term loan is usually a better match for larger purchases or longer-term improvements. With a term loan, you receive a lump sum up front and repay it over a set period.

 

This can work well when you want clarity and structure, such as financing equipment, purchasing capital assets, or consolidating business debt into a more predictable payment schedule. Many borrowers like term loans because they are straightforward: a defined amount, a defined repayment timeline, and a plan you can build into your monthly budget.

 

Academy Bank’s business term loans are positioned for longer-term financial needs, offering benefits like lower interest rates and longer repayment terms.

SBA loans are partially guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. That guarantee can help support financing for businesses that might not fit every conventional lending box, while still offering competitive terms.

 

Academy Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender, so decisions are made locally. As a result, your application moves faster than with lenders who require the SBA for every single approval.

 

SBA loan options can include:

• SBA 504 loans for fixed assets like equipment, land, buildings, or construction
• SBA 7(a) loans for broad business purposes including starting or buying a business, refinancing debt, purchasing real estate or equipment, and managing working capital
• SBA Express loans that can offer a term loan or a revolving line of credit with a quicker turnaround and less documentation

SBA loans are often a strong fit when you want longer repayment terms, lower down payments, or more flexibility around collateral requirements (depending on the specific program and use).

How to Choose the Best Business Loan for Your Small Business

Choosing between a business line of credit, a term loan, or an SBA loan usually comes down to a few considerations.

• For timing gaps—like seasonal cash flow swings or receivables that arrive after expenses—many businesses prefer a business line of credit because it stays available and can be reused.
• For major purchase with long-term value—like equipment or a big investment in operations—a term loan can match that longer horizon.
• For competitive terms and financing specifically for small businesses, SBA loans can be worth exploring—especially when your project is larger, more complex, or needs more flexible structure.

The right answer depends on 1) what you are financing, 2) how soon you need funds, and 3) how predictable you want repayment to be.

Business Lending Options at Academy Bank

Academy Bank supports small business owners with financing solutions that can match different needs and stages of growth:

• Business line of credit for revolving flexibility—borrow, repay, repeat for short-term needs like cash flow, inventory, and payroll (subject to credit approval)
• Business term loans for longer-term needs, capital purchases, or debt consolidation
• SBA Loans through a Preferred Lender process, with options like 7(a), 504, and SBA Express

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Loans

What are business loans for small businesses used for?

Business loans for small businesses are commonly used for cash flow gaps, inventory, payroll, equipment purchases, renovations, working capital, and sometimes debt consolidation.

What is the difference between a business line of credit and a term loan?

A business line of credit is revolving—you can borrow, repay, and borrow again up to your limit. A term loan provides a lump sum that you repay over a set schedule.

Are SBA loans only for startups?

No. SBA loans can support startups, but they are also widely used for established businesses—such as buying a business, refinancing debt, purchasing equipment, or funding working capital.

Do SBA loans have different types?

Yes. Common SBA loan types include SBA 7(a), SBA 504, and SBA Express loans, each designed for different purposes and structures.

How do I choose the best business loan for small business cash flow needs?

Many businesses use a business line of credit for cash flow because it’s reusable and designed for short-term needs. A banker can help you compare that option to term loans or SBA programs based on your cash cycle.

How can I start an SBA loan application with Academy Bank?

You can begin by reaching out to the Academy Bank SBA team at SBALoansAB@academybank.com.

Business Lending Solutions from Academy Bank

Choosing the right business loans for your small business can make day-to-day operations easier and long-term growth more achievable. Academy Bank offers business lines of credit, term loans, and SBA loans to help you find financing that fits your goals—not just your current moment.

Visit our business bank online or stop by your local Academy Bank branch to talk with a banker about your options and the next best step for your business.

Business Loans for Small Business