According to our 2025 cash flow management report, 39% of small businesses have less than a month's worth of cash on hand, highlighting how common the need for capital is. But many business owners still face a fragmented process: multiple forms, unclear requirements, and uncertainty about how applying will impact their credit.
Bluevine simplifies that experience. From business lines of credit to term loans via our partners, you can explore multiple business funding options in one place.1
This guide breaks down exactly what financing options are available, how they work, and how Bluevine simplifies access to capital.
Business financing options available through Bluevine
Most small businesses rely on outside funding at some point. In fact, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) found that 77% of small businesses use external financing to operate or grow.
Bluevine offers access to three primary small business financing options, with each serving a different purpose:
| Financing type | Source | Main purpose | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line of credit | Bluevine or lending partners | Revolving, ongoing access to funds | One fast application through BluevineBVSUP-00020 |
| Term loan | Bluevine's lending partners | Lump sum for one-time expenses | One fast application through BluevineBVSUP-00126 |
| SBA loan | Fundera by NerdWallet lender network | Long-term financing with structured repayment | Streamlined referral process through Bluevine and Fundera by Nerdwallet |
While there may be overlap in how you can manage and use the funds from these financing options, the key difference is how you access them. Instead of having to navigate multiple lenders and platforms, Bluevine brings these options into a single, centralized experience.
Bluevine's lending application process
Bluevine’s lending application is designed to make the process easy, quick, and painless, with no need to waste time shopping around for the best rates, amounts, and terms. By allowing small businesses to apply for multiple types of loans through one application, Bluevine helps save owners time, paperwork, and headaches—while giving them access to the industry’s most awarded and widely recognized lending products.
Since Bluevine isn’t a lending marketplace, you won’t get spam calls or mailers from competing loan providers after you apply. Instead, you’ll be evaluated for multiple Bluevine Line of Credit plans as well as lines of credit and term loans through our partners.BVSUP-00151 SBA loans are available through a separate referral process with Fundera by NerdWallet.
If approved, you can review your offers directly in the Bluevine platform or with your dedicated Bluevine funding advisor to determine which is the best financing option for your business.
Did you know? You can apply for multiple forms of financing—including lines of credit and term loans—through one simple Bluevine application. Learn more
Submit application
Learn more about minimum qualifications, required documents, and what information you need to apply.
Your application gets reviewed
Some factors that impact your eligibility include:
- Revenue
- Time in business
- Credit profile
- Cash flow patterns
Review your offers
During this step, you can review your offer(s) and/or discuss with your dedicated funding specialist, then accept the option that best fits your needs.
Access your funds
If you accept a lending offer from one of our partners, your Bluevine funding advisor will help you create an online account with that partner so you can easily manage your draws and payments directly through the partner’s platform.
Accessing business financing as a current Bluevine customer
For existing Bluevine Business Checking customers, the lending application process is even more streamlined. From the Business Loans tab in your dashboard, you can easily apply for financing through Bluevine and our partners.
If you opt in to ongoing credit evaluation and connect your external business bank account(s), you could also receive proactive credit offers as they become available.
Line of Credit
- Flexible funding when you need it with credit lines up to $250K from Bluevine or its partners
- Predictable repayment terms of 6 or 12 mos
- Revolving line that replenishes as you repay
Requirements: 600+ FICO score, 3+ months in business, $30,000 in monthly revenue
Term loans
- Lump sum of funds up to $500K
- Predictable repayment terms up to 24 mos
- Financing made through our lending partners
Requirements: 625+ FICO score, 6+ months in business, $20,000 in monthly revenue
We'll use your Bluevine checking account to evaluate your creditworthiness—plus, you can connect an external bank account to help expedite the review.
What is the Bluevine Line of Credit and how does it work?
A business line of credit gives you access to funds up to a set limit. You can draw what you need, repay it, and draw again without reapplying—though, all draws are subject to review and approval.
Unlike a traditional loan, you only pay for what you use.
What payment plans are available for the Bluevine Line of Credit?
If you're eligible and receive a Bluevine Line of Credit offer, you'll be assigned one of three structured payment plans. For all plans, repayments are typically automatic and scheduled.
Your payment plan is assigned based on your business profile and application, including:
- Revenue consistency
- Time in business
- Credit history
This helps match repayment timing to your current cash flow. As your business evolves, you may be able to move to a different repayment plan for your line of credit.
| 3-month Bluevine Line of Credit | 6-month Bluevine Line of Credit | 12-month Bluevine Line of Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terms and repayment frequency | No draw fee, weekly repayment | Draw fee, weekly repayment | Draw fee, monthly or weekly repayment |
| Early repayment benefit | No interest savings if you repay early | Save on interest when you repay early | Save on interest when you repay early |
| Instant access to capital via Bluevine Business CheckingBVSUP-00127 | |||
| Additional benefits | – | Exclusive rate discounts | Exclusive rate discounts |
| Availability | Exclusive to eligible Bluevine Business Checking customers | All eligible businesses | All eligible businesses |
Best financing type for each business
Flexibility makes a line of credit one of the most adaptable business funding options available. Still, a traditional term loan could be a good fit for your business depending on the circumstances.
Each form of business financing aligns with different business needs, as well as your company's credit history and financial background:
- 3-month Bluevine Line of Credit plan: Designed for newer businesses or short-term needs like inventory or payroll gaps. Currently available only for Bluevine Business Checking customers.
- 6-month Bluevine Line of Credit plan: Works for businesses with moderate, steady cash flow
- 12-month Bluevine Line of Credit plan: Ideal for established businesses managing larger expenses or longer cycles
- 18- to 24-month line of credit plan via partners: Offered only to established businesses with excellent credit profiles
- Term loan via partners: Makes sense for equipment purchases, expansion projects, and large, one-time investments
Learn more about how a business line of credit compares to a term loan.
How are SBA loans different from other financing options?
SBA loans are government-backed loans designed to support small businesses. While rates and terms can sometimes be more favorable for small businesses than traditional loans, there is typically more documentation required during the application process, which tends to involve extended underwriting and approval timelines.
Unlike other Bluevine funding options, which you can apply for through one simple application, SBA loans require a separate process through Bluevine's partnership with Fundera by Nerdwallet.
Will applying for financing affect my credit?
No, applying for business financing through Bluevine will not impact your personal credit score.BVSUP-00128 Bluevine uses a soft credit inquiry during the initial application, which allows you to explore your options without risk upfront—especially if you're approved for multiple offers from Bluevine and our lending network.
If you accept an offer, you will then be subject to a hard credit check, which temporarily can impact your credit score.
Bluevine POV
Simplifying business financing to one platform
Small business financing is often fragmented with multiple lenders, unclear processes, and inconsistent requirements. As a financial technology company focused on small businesses, Bluevine is built to remove friction—not add to it.
- One application for multiple forms of business financing: Quick, 100% online process that takes less than five minutes, with no need to start over with each lender
- Transparency from end to end: Clear offers and terms, no lender outreach overload
- Faster decisions with minimal documentation: See available offers in as fast as 24 hours
- Integrated financial platform: Banking, payments, and lending in one easy-to-use dashboard and mobile app
- More favorable rates and terms: Bluevine Business Checking customers often get better rates on lending offers
- Instant access to line of credit funds: Access approved Bluevine Line of Credit draws instantly in your Bluevine Business Checking accountBVSUP-00127
Choosing between several small business financing options doesn't have to be complicated. Through Bluevine, you can apply for a line of credit and term loans through one streamlined process and explore offers without impacting your credit.BVSUP-00128
Frequently asked questions
Bluevine offers a range of small business financing options, including multiple Bluevine Line of Credit plans, as well as lines of credit and term loans through lending partners. Lines of credit and term loan options are accessible through a single application, making it easier to explore funding without applying to multiple lenders separately.
You can also apply for an SBA loan through a separate process, in which your Bluevine financing advisor will connect you with the Fundera by NerdWallet team.
Yes, Bluevine uses one application to evaluate your eligibility across multiple financing options. However, you may not receive offers for every product. The results depend on your business profile, including revenue, credit, and time in business.
Applying through Bluevine involves a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect your credit score.BVSUP-00128 A hard credit check may only occur after you accept a financing offer, depending on the lender and product.
No, Bluevine is not a business lending marketplace, so you won’t be contacted by multiple lenders. Instead, Bluevine manages your application and presents eligible offers within its platform or through a dedicated Bluevine lending advisor for a more controlled and integrated experience.
Term loans and lines of credit are two different types of business loans:
- A term loan provides a lump sum upfront. You repay on a fixed schedule until you’ve repaid the full sum.
- A line of credit provides access to ongoing funds from which you can request one or more draws and borrow any amount up to your given limit. You repay only what you’ve borrowed on a fixed schedule.
When you apply for a Bluevine Line of Credit, you’ll also be considered for lines of credit and term loans via our network of lending partners. Your repayment schedule and terms may vary and are determined by your lender.
When you apply for a Bluevine Line of Credit, you could find out if you’re approved in as little as 5 minutes. If you have a Bluevine Business Checking account, you can also access your line of credit funds instantly once a draw is approved.BVSUP-00127
If you’re eligible for a line of credit or term loan offer through one of our partners, you could find out in your Bluevine dashboard or through your dedicated lending advisor within 24 hours.
Once approved for a credit line, you can request funds directly from your Bluevine dashboard. We’ll deposit funds in your account as soon as a few hours, pending review and approval. Depending on which repayment plan you qualified for, we’ll automatically debit your account for weekly or monthly repayments. As you pay off your balance, the amount of available credit you can request automatically replenishes.
3-month line of credit
With the three-month repayment plan, you’ll repay your Bluevine Line of Credit draws in weekly installments over 12 weeks.
6-month line of credit
With the six-month repayment plan, you’ll repay your Bluevine Line of Credit draws in weekly installments over 26 weeks.
12-month line of credit
With the 12-month repayment plan, you’ll repay your Bluevine Line of Credit draws in monthly or weekly installments over 12 months.
Yes, if a Bluevine Line of Credit isn’t right for you, you may still be eligible for a term loan or line of credit from one of our partners. If so, you’ll see one or more potential funding options from our lending partners. Please note Bluevine cannot guarantee that you will be presented with all available offers from our lending partners.