Business

    How do I get a business loan in Canada?

    Last updated: April 21, 2026
    Reviewed against Bank of Canada, Equifax & FCAC sources

    Step 1 — Define what you need

    NeedBest Product
    Working capitalOperating line of credit
    Equipment purchaseEquipment financing or term loan
    Expansion / acquisitionTerm loan or commercial mortgage
    Cash flow bridgeMerchant cash advance or invoice factoring
    Real estateCommercial mortgage

    Step 2 — Check eligibility benchmarks

    • 6–12 months minimum in business (most lenders)
    • $50,000–$100,000 minimum annual revenue
    • Personal credit score of 600+ (owner)
    • Positive cash flow or clear path to profitability
    • Personal guarantee almost always required under $250K

    Step 3 — Compare lender categories

    LenderBest ForTypical RatesFunding Speed
    Big 5 BanksEstablished, lowest rates4.99%–12.99%2–4 weeks
    BDCStartups, higher-risk6.99%–14.99%1–4 weeks
    Online lendersSpeed, less paperwork8.99%–24.99%24–72 hours
    Alternative/MCABad credit, fast cashFactor 1.1×–1.5×Same day
    Government (CSBFP)Equipment, leaseholdsPrime + 3% max2–4 weeks
    Credit unionsLocal + relationship5.49%–11.99%1–3 weeks

    Step 4 — Prepare documents

    • Business financial statements (last 2 years)
    • Business bank statements (6–12 months)
    • Business plan (especially for startups)
    • Personal financial statement of all owners with 20%+ equity
    • T2 corporate tax returns (last 2 years)
    • AR/AP aging reports

    Step 5 — Consider government-backed options

    The Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) backs loans up to $1,150,000 (real estate) and $1,000,000 (equipment + leaseholds) at Prime + 3% maximum, with the government guaranteeing 85% of the lender's loss.

    Use LoanIQ's AI Loan Advisor to see which lenders match your business profile in under 2 minutes.

    Sources

    Related resources

    Got your answer? Now see what you qualify for.

    Get a personalized estimate — free, no credit check, takes under 2 minutes.