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American Express Business Loans: 2023 Review

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  • Estimated APR range: 6.98% to 19.97%
  • Best for: Current Amex small business cardholders who need a quick and easy source of funds. 

Pros and cons of American Express

ProsCons

  No application or origination fees

  No prepayment penalties

  Can easily see how much you're preapproved for

  Applying doesn't impact credit score

  Can use loan for business expenses or business credit card consolidation

  Must complete application online

  Only available if you've had an Amex small business credit card for at least a year

  Can only consolidate certain types of credit card debt

American Express small business loans review

You might be more familiar with American Express as a credit card company, and indeed it is. But along with business credit cards, it also offers a select number of small business loans, too. And though these are reserved for existing cardholders who have had a small business card for at least a year, they could be a great option if they’re made available to you. These loans feature a quick, fee-free application that won’t impact your credit and decent rates — just make sure that you’re not taking the easy route if you need money, and you’re still doing your due diligence by shopping around.

Who is American Express for?

  • You want a quick and easy application that won’t affect your credit.
  • You want to consolidate debt from small business cards from other lenders.
  • You’ve already had an American Express small business card for at least a year.

American Express small business financing at a glance

ProductLoan amountsRepayment termEstimated APR rangeFees
Term loan$3,500 to $75,0006, 12, 24 or 36 months6.98% to 19.97%$39 late or insufficient funds fee

Term loans

American Express‘s small business loans are well-suited for financing small or moderate business needs, such as consolidating existing credit card debt, purchasing inventory or as working capital loans. Amex offers relatively short term loan lengths of 6 to 36 months, and decent rates that start at 6.98% APR. They’re not the lowest rates you’ll find out there necessarily, but they’re not overly high either. Amex makes it relatively easy to get one of these loans if you do qualify, with an easy application process and zero origination or application fees.

If you plan to consolidate credit card debt, you’ll need to borrow at least $3,500 total, which you can split between one and four other cards outside of the Amex system (minimum $1,000 per card). If you’re using the funds for another business purpose, you’ll need to either have them deposited into the bank account connected to your Amex account or another outside business bank account within three days of loan approval — otherwise, your loan will be canceled and you won’t be eligible to reapply until at least 60 days have passed.

American Express borrower requirements

Minimum annual revenueN/A
Minimum annual revenueN/A
Minimum time in businessN/A
Minimum credit score660

Applying for an American Express small business loan is a bit counterintuitive. If you need to borrow money, you typically go out and get quotes from different lenders. But with an Amex small business loan, Amex will come to you itself and let you know if and when you can apply for a loan — whether you need one right then or not. Only people who have been Amex small business cardholders for at least a year are eligible to apply, and only if you see it listed as an option when you log into your online account.

In addition to these requirements, there are a few other basic small business loan eligibility requirements to keep in mind. You’ll need to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or resident to apply, and you’ll need to have an email address. You’ll also need fair to excellent credit, although — unlike most other lenders — American Express doesn’t perform a hard credit check after you apply. (Presumably, since you’re already a customer, Amex knows your credit score.)

Required documents

American Express may request other documents from you after you apply, although they don’t specify exactly what these could include. However, when getting a small business loan, you’ll typically need to show paperwork such as your company’s operating agreement, recent tax returns, bank statements or a profit and loss statement.

Alternatives to American Express

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
American ExpressChase BankBank of America
Minimum credit score660N/AN/A
Loan products offeredTerm loanLine of credit, term loans, equipment financing, SBA loans, real estate loansSecured and unsecured line of credit, secured and unsecured term loan, auto loan, equipment loan, real estate loan, health care practice loan, SBA loans
Time to funding3 to 5 business daysN/AN/A
Starting APR6.98%N/A6.50%
Maximum loan size$75,000N/A, but starts from $5,000N/A, but starts from $10,000
Minimum annual revenueN/AN/A$100,000

American Express vs. Chase Bank

Chase Bank‘s small business department offers a wider range of products that anyone can apply for at any time — unlike American Express‘s small business loan, which is only available sometimes to certain people. Unfortunately, though, Chase Bank isn’t as upfront about the details of these loans, so it’ll still be on you to compare your options with other lenders. Still, given Chase Bank‘s ubiquity with brick-and-mortar branches, it’d be an especially good option if you prefer to do your small business banking in person.

American Express vs. Bank of America

Bank of America is another great choice for in-person banking, falling just behind Chase Bank in terms of size and the number of branch locations available around the country. It offers an even wider selection of small business financing products, and for an even better rate than American Express term loans. However, Bank of America small business loans are better suited for slightly larger operations: It requires a minimum annual income of at least $100,000, and the minimum amount you can borrow for a term loan is $10,000.

 

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