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Funding products
Business funding options, explained clearly.
A business loan is funding you repay over time: a term loan, a line of credit, an SBA loan, equipment financing or a consolidation loan. Bayside, a Miami-based capital advisor, compares them across ~100 banks and alternative lenders on cost, payment and long-term fit, so you see the tradeoffs before you sign.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Start with the problem
Not every funding product solves the same problem.
Owners often search for a “business loan” when what they really need is a line of credit, equipment financing, invoice factoring, or a plan for what they already owe.
We put the real differences up front, so each product is easier to understand, easier to compare and easier to match to your situation. You make a stronger decision before you sign anything.
Core products
The six products we compare most often.
For growing businesses that need working capital, growth capital or equipment, or a better path after a bank said no.
Term loan
Structured capital and predictable payments.
A lump sum up front, repaid in fixed payments over a set period: anywhere from a few months to 10 years, depending on the lender and the product.
Good fit for
- Growth projects with a clear return on investment
- Expansion, build-outs or multi-use capital needs
- Owners who want a predictable monthly payment
- Businesses moving away from daily or weekly payments
Our takeMore stable than short-term funding. Approval, pricing and speed depend on your credit, cash flow, time in business and overall file strength. Stronger files unlock better terms.
Compare term loan options →Business line of credit
Flexible working capital, drawn when you need it.
A revolving credit limit. Draw what you need, pay it back, and draw again without reapplying each time.
Lines of credit and working capital →SBA loans
Lower-cost, longer-term capital.
SBA-backed financing can offer lower rates and longer terms than most alternatives. SBA caps what lenders can charge and allows up to 10 years for working capital and up to 25 years for real estate (SBA SOP 50 10 8.1). The tradeoff: more documentation, stronger qualifications and a longer approval timeline.
SBA loans, explained →Equipment financing
For revenue-producing assets.
Buy specific equipment and pay for it over time, with the equipment itself usually serving as collateral.
Equipment financing, explained →Debt consolidation & restructuring
For businesses paying too much for short-term debt.
Combines several existing loans or cash advances into one more stable structure, usually to lower the payment pressure, simplify your file and give you a clearer path forward.
MCA consolidation and restructuring →Revenue-based funding
Speed, repaid from revenue.
Also called a merchant cash advance (MCA). Capital up front in exchange for a fixed payback amount, collected through daily or weekly debits tied to your revenue.
Good fit for
- Time-sensitive opportunities that can’t wait weeks
- Businesses that need very fast access to capital
- Owners who don’t yet qualify for traditional structures
- Situations where speed matters more than cost
Our takeOften among the quickest products to fund. Translated to an annual rate, it often costs more than 80% and can run into triple digits (Federal Reserve, 2019; Business.com, 2026). It is not a traditional loan. Before you take one, understand the factor rate, the total payback, how often payments come out, and what it could do to your future financing options. We walk you through all of it before you decide.
Compare it against your other options →Side by side
Quick product snapshot.
| Product | Best for | Speed | Payment | Tradeoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term loan | Structured capital, predictable payments | Moderate | Monthly | Stronger files unlock better pricing and terms |
| Business line of credit | Flexible working capital access | Moderate | Monthly on drawn balance | Great for ongoing flexibility, but requires discipline |
| SBA loans | Lower-cost, longer-term financing | Slower | Monthly | Excellent fit when the business is truly SBA-ready |
| Equipment financing | Asset-backed equipment purchases | Moderate | Monthly | Best when the equipment has a direct, clear business use |
| Debt consolidation & restructuring | Replacing expensive short-term funding | Moderate | Often monthly once restructured | Must confirm a true payoff, not added debt |
| Revenue-based funding | Very fast capital access | Fastest | Daily or weekly | Speed is high, but cost and payment pressure can be high too |
Before you sign
What to understand before you sign.
Speed, approvals and easy applications get the attention. You should also understand the payment pressure, the total payback, the qualification tradeoffs, your future bankability, and the real differences between products that sound alike.
We give you that clarity before you commit, even if it means recommending a smaller amount, a different structure, or waiting for a better option.
What we always make clear:
- The best product is not always the fastest one. It is the one that fits your cash flow and keeps your options open.
- A merchant cash advance is not a term loan. The cost, the payment frequency and the effect on future financing are completely different.
- A line of credit is not the same as a lump-sum working capital advance.
- Invoice factoring is not a loan in the traditional sense. You are selling an asset, not borrowing against one.
More products
More funding products we can help you evaluate.
Working capital loan
Covers short-term operating costs such as payroll, inventory and rent when cash-flow timing is tight. It smooths day-to-day operations rather than funding long-term assets, so it works best with a clear plan for how the capital is used and repaid.
See the service →Small business loan
A term-style loan built for smaller owner-operated businesses. Useful when you need straightforward capital but don’t fit a larger commercial loan profile: a term loan scaled to where your business is now.
Ask about it →Invoice factoring
Sell unpaid invoices for cash now. Relevant for B2B companies, staffing firms and commercial service businesses with strong receivables. Factoring is not a loan: you are selling an asset, your invoice, at a discount.
See the service →Purchase order financing
Helps product businesses fulfil customer orders before the sale proceeds come in. More specialized than general working capital, and it only makes sense when a confirmed purchase order exists.
Ask about it →Asset-based lending
Uses receivables, inventory or equipment as collateral for a credit facility. Most relevant for companies with a larger asset base. If your business has significant assets it isn’t using, it may be worth exploring.
Ask about it →Bridge financing
Covers a short-term gap before a longer-term event closes: a refinance, a sale, a conventional loan or a more permanent structure. Useful in the right situation, but not a long-term cost solution.
See the service →Franchise funding
New locations, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and build-outs for franchise operators. Depending on the brand, the operator and the stage of growth, it often overlaps with SBA and conventional products.
Ask about it →Acquisition financing
Supports buying an existing business. It usually takes a detailed review of the target, the buyer’s financial strength, the deal structure and the cash flow after closing: one of the more complex funding conversations.
See the service →Business loan questions
What owners ask us before they borrow.
What types of business loans are there?
The main ones are term loans, business lines of credit, SBA loans, equipment financing and consolidation loans. Invoice factoring and revenue-based funding are often grouped with them, but they aren’t loans: factoring sells your unpaid invoices, and revenue-based funding buys a share of future revenue. The snapshot table above compares them on best use, speed, payment and tradeoffs.
What do I need to qualify for a business loan?
Bayside works with established businesses, usually with at least two years in business, around $40K or more in monthly revenue, and a funding need of $100K or more. What each lender requires depends on the product: term and SBA loans weigh credit and cash flow most, while equipment financing and asset-based options lean on the assets behind them.
Is a line of credit better than a term loan?
Neither is better on its own. A term loan fits a one-time need with a clear return, like a build-out, because you get the full amount up front and a fixed payment. A line of credit fits recurring gaps, like seasonal payroll, because you only pay on what you draw. Many businesses use both. Our guide on line of credit vs. term loan goes deeper.
Should I apply for an SBA loan first?
If you qualify and can wait, SBA is often the lowest-cost option, with terms up to 10 years for working capital and up to 25 years for real estate (SBA SOP 50 10 8.1). It takes more documentation and a longer approval process, and an active merchant cash advance can’t be refinanced with a 7(a) loan. Your Capital Strategy Report shows whether you’re SBA-ready now or need a step first.
What is the difference between a business loan and a merchant cash advance?
A loan carries an interest rate and is repaid over a set term, usually monthly. A merchant cash advance buys part of your future revenue: you repay a fixed amount, set by a factor rate, through daily or weekly debits. Translated to an annual rate it often costs more than 80% (Federal Reserve, 2019; Business.com, 2026), and open advances can make your next bank or SBA loan harder to get.
How is working with a loan advisor different from applying directly?
Applying directly gets you one lender’s answer on one product. An advisor compares many: Bayside puts your file in front of the banks and alternative lenders whose programs fit it, then shows every option you qualify for side by side, with what each really costs. Final approval and terms are always the lender’s call.
Miami & South Florida
January in Miami is not July in Miami.
Bayside is based in Miami and works with South Florida businesses that need capital built for the local market: seasonality, tourism cycles, expansion timing, labor pressure, and revenue that can be strong overall but uneven month to month.
That makes product fit especially important here. The right structure for a Miami restaurant in January looks very different from the right one in July, and we build recommendations around it.
Industries
Matching funding to the industries we work with most.
Construction and the trades, restaurants and hospitality, fitness and wellness, and multi-location businesses, plus other established service operators.
The same owner might look for restaurant equipment financing, gym working capital, a contractor line of credit or working capital for a South Florida hospitality business. We start from how your business earns money and match the product to it.
Every industry we serveGuides on choosing a loan
Need help comparing?
Talk to an advisor before you sign.
Term loan or line of credit, SBA or a faster alternative, equipment financing, or cleaning up existing MCA debt: we help you see the real differences and find the smartest next step.
Bayside acts as a commercial lending broker and capital advisory partner, connecting you with approved commercial funding providers. All funding is subject to lender review and qualification.
Bayside Business Advisors LLC Copyright © | All Rights Reserved 2026
Bayside Business Advisors is a commercial finance brokerage and capital advisory firm based in Miami, Florida; not a direct lender. We help established businesses across South Florida explore commercial financing through a network of independent funding partners. Funding approvals, amounts, rates, and timelines are subject to lender review and qualification. Results described on this page are not guaranteed and may vary based on individual business circumstances, creditworthiness, and lender requirements. Bayside Business Advisors LLC does not charge upfront fees. All funding is subject to underwriting and lender approval. This page does not constitute a commitment to lend.