On this page14 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- National Funding vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- National Funding legitimacy and licensing
- National Funding cost
- Products and requirements
- How National Funding Works
- Rules that protect you, and the ones that don't
- National Funding complaints and what customers report
- Who should skip National Funding
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
National Funding suits businesses with steady revenue that need cash quickly and can handle daily or weekly payments. It is a legitimate small business lender founded in 1999, licensed under California's Financing Law and rated A+ by the BBB, with a 4.6 out of 5 Trustpilot score from more than 2,200 reviews. The tradeoff is cost: working capital is priced with a factor rate, so the total payback is fixed up front but the effective annual cost can be far higher than a bank or SBA loan, and the site doesn't publish rates or fees. In 16 states, its financing is limited to sales-based financing.
- Working capital
- $6,000 to $500,000; terms of 4 to 24 months; payments withdrawn by ACH daily or weekly2
- Equipment financing and leasing
- Up to $150,000 for new or used equipment; monthly payments over 2 to 5 years3
- Basic requirements
- Generally at least six months in business, consistent revenue and healthy cash flow; a few months of bank statements2
- Pricing
- Working capital is priced with a factor rate (total payback = amount x factor); rates and fees are not published on the site2
- Funding speed
- Same-day decisions often; funds as soon as the next business day after approval and acceptance1
- Credit check
- Exploring options does not affect your credit score, per the company; if declined, it may try to match you with partner lenders1
- License
- Loans made or arranged under California Financing Law license 603A169; business products only1
- State limits
- Financing limited to sales-based financing in AK, CO, MA, MN, MT, NV, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN and VT1
Pros
- Founded in 1999, licensed in California, A+ BBB rating
- Working capital up to $500,000 and equipment financing up to $150,000
- Decisions often the same day and funding as soon as the next business day
- Exploring options does not affect your credit score, per the company
- Strong Trustpilot score (4.6) from more than 2,200 reviews
Cons
- Rates, factor rates and fees are not published
- Factor-rate pricing can mean a high effective APR
- Daily or weekly payments can strain cash flow
- Sales-based financing only in 16 states
- No SBA loans
Best for: Established businesses with steady revenue that need working capital or equipment quickly and have compared the total payback with other offers.
Skip it if: You can qualify for an SBA or bank loan and wait a few weeks, or your cash flow can't support daily or weekly payments.
National Funding vs. competitors
| Company | Amounts | Repayment | Minimum time in business | Credit check to see offers | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Funding | $6,000 to $500,000 working capital; up to $150,000 equipment | 4 to 24 months daily or weekly; 2 to 5 years monthly for equipment | Generally 6 months | No credit score impact, per the company | Visit site |
| OnDeck | Term loans $5,000 to $400,000; lines of credit $6,000 to $200,000 | Up to 24 months | Not verified | Not verified | Read review |
| Fora Financial | Up to $1.5 million | Not verified | Not verified | Soft credit check only | Read review |
| Bluevine | Line of credit up to $250,000; term loans up to $500,000 through partners | Term loans up to 24 months | 12 months, plus 625 FICO and $10,000 monthly revenue for the line of credit | Not verified | Read review |
Small business financing companies we reviewed
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National Funding This review BestGuide rating: 4.1 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Established businesses with steady revenue that need working capital or equipment quickly and have compared the total payback with other offers. -
Bluevine BestGuide rating: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: LLCs and corporations with a year of history and steady monthly revenue that want a revolving line of credit up to $250,000 alongside a no-fee business checking account. -
Fundbox BestGuide rating: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small businesses that want a revolving line of credit with a fast online decision and plan to repay each draw quickly. -
Lendio BestGuide rating: 4.1 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small business owners who meet basic minimums and want to compare several loan types and lenders through one application. -
Biz2Credit BestGuide rating: 4.0 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Established businesses with at least a year of history and six-figure revenue that need $25,000 to $2 million or more and can compare a written offer against other lenders. -
OnDeck BestGuide rating: 3.9 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Established small businesses with steady revenue that need short-term cash within a day or two and can afford frequent payments.
National Funding pricing at a glance
National Funding products, as listed October 20262
| Product | Amount | Term | Payments | How it's priced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working capital loan | $6,000 to $500,000 | 4 to 24 months | Daily or weekly ACH | Factor rate, not published |
| Equipment financing and leasing | Up to $150,000 | 2 to 5 years | Monthly | Not published |
| Term, short-term, inventory and receivables financing | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
National Funding's own example: $50,000 at a 1.25 factor rate means repaying $62,500. Over 12 months that is $12,500 in cost; the effective APR is much higher than 25% because you pay the balance down from the start. Early payoff discounts may be offered and are disclosed before you accept.
National Funding, step by step
Apply online
The application takes a few minutes and, according to National Funding, does not affect your credit score.
Talk to a funding specialist
A US-based specialist calls to discuss your needs and asks for documents, usually a few months of bank statements.
Review the offer
Get the amount, factor rate or rate, total repayment, payment frequency, term and any early payoff discount in writing, and compare it with at least one other lender.
Accept and get funded
After approval and acceptance, funds can arrive in your business checking account as soon as the next business day.
Repay
Working capital payments come out by ACH every business day or every week; equipment payments are monthly. Ask before signing what happens if you want to pay off early.
National Funding legitimacy and licensing
Yes. National Funding, Inc. is a San Diego small business lender and equipment leasing company that has operated since 1999. Its site says loans are made or arranged under California Financing Law license 603A169, and the company says it has funded more than $7 billion for over 100,000 businesses. The BBB rates it A+, accredited since 2013, with 28 complaints in the last three years. On Trustpilot it has 4.6 out of 5 from 2,210 reviews.
It is a direct lender for many offers, but its disclosures also say that if it can’t approve you, it may try to match you with partner lenders. If that happens, find out which company is actually funding the deal, because the terms and the company you deal with will change.
National Funding cost
National Funding doesn’t publish its rates or fees. Working capital is priced with a Factor rate. A multiplier showing total repayment, such as 1.2 meaning $1.20 back per $1 borrowed. Compare small business financing companies: you repay the amount times the factor. The company’s own example is $50,000 at 1.25, which means repaying $62,500. Because you start repaying right away through daily or weekly debits, the effective APR. The yearly cost of a loan including interest and fees, used to compare offers. Compare small business financing companies on that example is much higher than 25%, and shorter terms push it higher still.
Before you sign, ask for the total repayment amount, the payment amount and frequency, any fees deducted from the funds, and an estimated APR. California and New York require many commercial financing providers to disclose an estimated APR, and you can ask for one anywhere. National Funding may offer an early payoff discount, but the amount is set in each agreement, so get it in writing.
Products and requirements
National Funding offers working capital loans of $6,000 to $500,000 with 4 to 24 month terms and daily or weekly payments, plus equipment financing and leasing up to $150,000 with monthly payments over 2 to 5 years. Its site also lists term loans, short-term loans, inventory financing and receivables financing, without published amounts or terms.
To qualify for working capital, the company says businesses generally need at least six months in business, consistent revenue and healthy cash flow, and should expect to send a few months of bank statements. It looks at business performance as well as personal credit. It does not publish a minimum credit score or revenue figure, and it does not offer SBA loans. In AK, CO, MA, MN, MT, NV, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN and VT, the financing it offers is limited to sales-based financing.
Key Takeaway: National Funding (Expert Score: 4.1/5.0)
National Funding earns a BestGuide Expert Score of 4.1/5.0 for its rapid small business loans. The company excels at speed, with the ability to deposit funds in as little as 24 hours after approval. This service is best suited for established businesses with fair credit that value immediate access to capital over securing the lowest possible interest rate.
National Funding earns an Expert Score of 4.1/5.0 from BestGuide, positioning it as a capable option for businesses that need fast working capital or equipment financing. Since its founding in 1999, the company has provided over $4.5 billion to more than 75,000 businesses, establishing a long track record in the alternative lending space. Our National Funding review found its primary strengths are speed and accessibility for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit.
The company provides direct funding, not brokerage services, with decisions often made in hours and funds available within a day. This efficiency, however, comes at a cost. National Funding uses factor rates for its working capital loans, which can be significantly more expensive than traditional bank loans. After analyzing numerous National Funding reviews and its product offerings, we find it’s a trade-off: you get unparalleled speed for a premium price.
Compare National Funding with other top-rated smb loans companies to see how it stacks up.
How National Funding Works
National Funding operates as a direct alternative lender, providing its own capital for two primary products: working capital loans and equipment financing. The process is designed for speed, moving from application to funding much faster than traditional financial institutions. The entire experience is managed by a dedicated funding specialist assigned to each applicant.
The Online Application Process
To begin, you complete a one-page online application on the National Funding website. This form requires basic information about you and your business, including your desired loan amount and time in business. The minimum requirements are generally six months in business and $250,000 in annual gross sales for working capital loans.
Underwriting and Approval
After submission, a funding specialist contacts you to discuss your needs and request necessary documents, such as recent bank statements. National Funding’s underwriting process is faster than a bank’s because it places more weight on business cash flow and less on personal credit scores. A minimum credit score of 660 is typically required, and approvals can happen within hours.
Funding and Repayment
Once approved and the loan agreement is signed, funds can be transferred to your business bank account in as little as 24 hours. Repayment for working capital loans typically involves automated daily or weekly debits over a short term, usually up to 24 months. Equipment financing features longer terms and monthly payments, with the equipment itself serving as collateral.
What customers say about National Funding
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Responsive, knowledgeable funding specialists
- Fast decisions and funding, often within a day
- Simple application with little paperwork
Common complaints
- Loan terms or rates that changed after the application
- Difficulty seeing payment status and balances after funding
- Denials or lost contact after sharing financial documents
- Trouble keeping up with frequent payments
Rules that protect you, and the ones that don't
Business loans are not covered by most consumer lending protections. The federal Truth in Lending Act applies to consumer credit, not business-purpose credit, so there is no federal rule requiring an APR on a business loan offer. Some states have added commercial financing disclosure laws, including California and New York, which require an estimated APR on many offers. Read the agreement for a personal guarantee, a confession of judgment, the payment schedule, default fees and how early payoff works, and have an accountant or attorney review large offers.
National Funding complaints and what customers report
Most public reviews are positive. Trustpilot reviewers frequently mention responsive specialists and funding within a day. The negative reviews describe loan terms or rates that changed after the application, difficulty checking payment status and balances after funding (the company said it is building an online portal), and denials or dropped contact after sending financial documents. The BBB shows 28 complaints in three years.
The CFPB database lists 10 complaints from October 2023 to October 2026, six about loans (most often trouble keeping up with payments) and four about credit reporting. Because the CFPB focuses on consumer products, it isn’t a full picture for a business lender.
Who should skip National Funding
Skip it if your business can qualify for an SBA loan, bank loan or credit union loan and can wait a few weeks, because those are usually much cheaper. It is also a poor fit if your revenue is uneven and daily or weekly debits could overdraw your account, or if you are borrowing to cover losses rather than a short-term gap you can see the end of.
Alternatives to National Funding
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SBA 7(a) loan through a bank or credit union
Usually far cheaper with longer terms if your business qualifies and can wait weeks for funding; National Funding does not offer SBA loans.
-
Bluevine
Better if you need ongoing access to cash rather than a lump sum and have at least a year in business.
-
OnDeck
A similar fast online lender that also offers a revolving line of credit, worth comparing on total payback.
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Free SBA resource partners (SCORE or a Small Business Development Center)
Free counseling to compare loan offers and work out what payment your cash flow can carry before you sign.
National Funding reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is National Funding a legitimate company?
Yes. National Funding, Inc. has operated in San Diego since 1999, lends under California Financing Law license 603A169, and holds an A+ BBB rating with accreditation since 2013.
How much can I borrow from National Funding?
Working capital runs from $6,000 to $500,000, and equipment financing goes up to $150,000. The amount depends on your revenue, time in business and cash flow.
What are National Funding's requirements?
The company says businesses generally need at least six months in business, consistent revenue and healthy cash flow, plus a few months of bank statements. It does not publish a minimum credit score or revenue amount.
What interest rate does National Funding charge?
It doesn't publish rates. Working capital is priced with a factor rate, so ask for the total payback and an estimated APR. Equipment financing pricing is also not published.
Does National Funding do a hard credit pull?
National Funding says exploring your financing options with it does not impact your credit score. Ask whether a hard inquiry happens before final approval or funding.
How fast does National Funding fund?
Decisions often come the same day, and funds can land as soon as the next business day after approval and acceptance, depending on your bank.
How are National Funding loans repaid?
Working capital is repaid by ACH debit daily or weekly over 4 to 24 months. Equipment financing is repaid monthly over 2 to 5 years.
Can I pay off a National Funding loan early?
National Funding may offer an early payoff discount. The amount and terms are disclosed before you accept, and you must pay the full balance and be in good standing to qualify.
Does National Funding offer SBA loans?
No. National Funding says it does not issue SBA loans and points borrowers to sba.gov for those.
What is a factor rate?
A factor rate is a multiplier for the total you repay. At 1.25, borrowing $50,000 means repaying $62,500. Because payments start right away, the effective APR is much higher than the factor suggests.
Sources (10)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- National Funding: Homepage and disclosures (accessed October 12, 2026)
- National Funding: Working capital loans and FAQ (accessed October 12, 2026)
- National Funding: Equipment financing (accessed October 12, 2026)
- National Funding: About (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: National Funding Inc profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: National Funding reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CFPB: Consumer complaint database, National Funding, Inc. (accessed October 12, 2026)
- OnDeck: Term loans and lines of credit (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Fora Financial: Homepage (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bluevine: Business line of credit (accessed October 12, 2026)
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