Business Loan from Chase Bank

3.5
★★★★☆ Bankrate Score
3.3
★★★☆☆ NerdWallet rating
Best for

Established small and mid-sized businesses seeking traditional bank financing for expansion, working capital, equipment, refinancing, or SBA-eligible projects, including commercial real estate.

Max loan amount $5 mln
Min. time in business 2 years
Min. interest rate Undisclosed
Term length Up to 25 years
Get Pre-Qualified in Minutes

Chase Bank offers business lending primarily to companies that already demonstrate financial stability and operational maturity. The bank focuses on financing practical business needs such as day-to-day working capital, equipment acquisition, refinancing of existing debt, and long-term projects eligible for SBA support, including commercial real estate. Chase is not positioned as a startup lender and generally expects borrowers to show a track record of revenue and disciplined financial management.

Credit decisions are driven by a structured underwriting process that evaluates cash flow sustainability, debt service capacity, ownership credit quality, and the specific use of funds. Compared to alternative or online lenders, Chase follows a more formal approval process, but this approach allows access to larger loan amounts, longer repayment terms, and SBA-backed structures. Depending on the loan type and complexity, the timeline from initial banker contact to funding typically spans several weeks.

Pros&Cons

  • Clear, cash-flow–driven underwriting
  • Strong fit for transaction-heavy businesses
  • Systematic SBA lending approach
  • Advantages for existing Chase clients
  • Low tolerance for volatility
  • Strict financial consistency requirements
  • Limited adaptability outside standard products
  • Longer decision timelines

What Types of Businesses Are Typically Financed?

Chase Bank primarily finances established operating businesses that demonstrate stable revenue, consistent cash flow, and clear financial reporting. The bank’s lending approach is conservative and structured, with a strong focus on repayment capacity and standard commercial risk criteria.

Business structure Business structure
LLCs, C-Corporations, and S-Corporations; sole proprietors considered only in limited cases depending on product and financial strength.v
Business stage Business stage
Operating businesses with an established track record; early-stage and pre-revenue companies are generally excluded.
Minimum annual revenue Minimum annual revenue
No publicly stated minimum, but revenue must be sufficient to support consistent cash flow and debt service obligations.
Industries Industries
Core operating industries such as professional services, retail, restaurants, healthcare practices, construction, manufacturing, logistics, and franchise businesses; speculative or non-operating entities excluded.
Geography Geography
U.S.-based businesses or companies with a clear U.S. operating presence and jurisdiction.
Use of funds Use of funds
Working capital, equipment purchases, refinancing existing debt, business expansion, commercial real estate, and SBA-eligible purposes.
Financial profile Financial profile
Stable historical cash flow, reconcilable financial statements, and a clear ability to service debt.
Ownership
Identifiable majority owners with verifiable financial and credit profiles; additional review for complex ownership structures.
Business credit score Business credit score
An established business credit file is expected; stronger credit history materially improves approval likelihood.
Personal credit score Personal credit score
Personal credit of principal owners is reviewed and plays a significant role, particularly for smaller and SBA-backed loans.
U.S. bank account U.S. bank account
A U.S. business bank account is required; an existing Chase banking relationship is strongly preferred.
EIN / SSN / ITIN EIN / SSN / ITIN
EIN required for business identification; SSN required for primary owners; ITIN accepted only in limited and product-specific cases.

What Business Loan Products Are Available?

  • Business Line of Credit

    Best For

    Managing ongoing cash flow and recurring working capital needs.

    Loan Details
    • Credit lines up to $500,000
    • Five-year revolving period
    • Five-year repayment term
    Apply now
  • Small Business Loans

    Best For

    Funding expansion, equipment purchases, or one-time business investments.

    Loan Details
    • Loans up to $500,000
    • Monthly Installment payments
    • Typically terms up to five years
    Apply now
  • Commercial Real Estate Financing

    Best For

    Purchasing, renovating, or refinancing commercial properties.

    Loan Details
    • Term loan secured by a lien on commercial property
    • Terms up to 25 years
    Apply now

What Documents Are Required to Apply?

Chase requires a comprehensive documentation package to evaluate a business’s financial stability, repayment capacity, and legal structure. The exact set of documents may vary by loan type, but applicants should be prepared to provide detailed business and owner financial information, along with supporting operational records.

Business Financials Business Financials
Business tax returns (typically 2–3 years), profit & loss statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and recent business bank statements to verify operating performance and cash flow stability.
Owner Financials & Identity Owner Financials & Identity
Personal tax returns of principal owners, personal financial statement, government-issued photo ID, and personal credit authorization.
Legal & Tax Documents Legal & Tax Documents
Business formation documents (LLC or corporate filings), EIN confirmation letter, business licenses or permits if applicable.
Loan Purpose & Operations Loan Purpose & Operations
Written loan purpose statement or business plan explaining how funds will be used, supported by contracts, invoices, or operational documentation when relevant.
Real Estate & Collateral Real Estate & Collateral
Commercial lease agreements, property deeds, appraisals, equipment lists, or collateral documentation required based on loan structure and product type.

Create a Bank-Ready Business Plan in Minutes

40+ bank-approved structure 40+ bank-approved structure
Easily generate a financial plan   Easily generate a financial plan
60+ Page AI PDF in 5 Minutes 60+ Page AI PDF in 5 Minutes
Modern design, no extra editing Modern design, no extra editing
Generate Loan-Ready Plan
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How Does the Business Loan Application Process Work?

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Pre-screening with a Chase bankerм

Informal qualification call or meeting where the banker evaluates whether the request fits Chase lending criteria before any application is started.
1–2 business days
Treating this as a formality and presenting an unfocused or unrealistic loan request.

Relationship and account alignment

Verification or setup of Chase business accounts; banker reviews transaction patterns and ownership alignment as part of internal risk assessment.
3–7 business days
Opening accounts without matching ownership structure or expected cash flow activity.

Internal eligibility review

Banker performs an internal credit fit check to determine whether the deal should proceed to full underwriting.
2–5 business days
Assuming this step guarantees approval or pushing incomplete financials forward.

Financial and documentation submission

Full financial package is collected only after internal eligibility is confirmed.
5–10 business days (applicant-dependent)
Submitting inconsistent tax returns, outdated statements, or unreconciled numbers.

Formal underwriting

Credit team evaluates cash flow sustainability, debt service coverage, credit history, and collateral if applicable.
2–4 weeks
Slow responses to clarification requests or changing the loan purpose mid-review.

Credit approval and closing

Final terms are approved, guarantees and covenants confirmed, and funds are disbursed through the Chase account.
3–7 business days
Misunderstanding personal guarantees, covenants, or post-funding restrictions.
  • 01

    Pre-screening with a Chase bankerм

    Informal qualification call or meeting where the banker evaluates whether the request fits Chase lending criteria before any application is started.
    1–2 business days
    Treating this as a formality and presenting an unfocused or unrealistic loan request.
  • 02

    Relationship and account alignment

    Verification or setup of Chase business accounts; banker reviews transaction patterns and ownership alignment as part of internal risk assessment.
    3–7 business days
    Opening accounts without matching ownership structure or expected cash flow activity.
  • 03

    Internal eligibility review

    Banker performs an internal credit fit check to determine whether the deal should proceed to full underwriting.
    2–5 business days
    Assuming this step guarantees approval or pushing incomplete financials forward.
  • 04

    Financial and documentation submission

    Full financial package is collected only after internal eligibility is confirmed.
    5–10 business days (applicant-dependent)
    Submitting inconsistent tax returns, outdated statements, or unreconciled numbers.
  • 05

    Formal underwriting

    Credit team evaluates cash flow sustainability, debt service coverage, credit history, and collateral if applicable.
    2–4 weeks
    Slow responses to clarification requests or changing the loan purpose mid-review.
  • 06

    Credit approval and closing

    Final terms are approved, guarantees and covenants confirmed, and funds are disbursed through the Chase account.
    3–7 business days
    Misunderstanding personal guarantees, covenants, or post-funding restrictions.

What Do Customers Say?

Jenny
Jenny
Dontneedthiseither, KY

I have no complaints about this bank's service (aside from my home town refusing to allow them to do business here) except when it comes to asking questions to customer service re...

Read more
Carrie
Carrie
Temecula, CA

In a time where automation can trump feeling heard and served as a customer, today I felt the exact opposite. After a very unsuccessful and maddening call with Chase Bank 1800 num...

Read more

Common Reasons for Loan Denial — and What to Do Next

Most Chase loan denials occur at an early screening stage and are tied to cash flow strength, financial consistency, or overall fit with the bank’s lending model rather than the business idea itself.v

Reason for Denial
What to Do
Insufficient or inconsistent cash flow
01
Strengthen operating cash flow, reduce volatility, and ensure financial statements clearly support the requested loan amount.
Financial statements do not align with tax returns
02
Reconcile internal financials with filed tax returns and prepare clear explanations for any discrepancies before reapplying.
Business does not meet minimum operating history
03
Extend operating history and reapply once the business demonstrates stable performance over a longer period.
High existing debt load
04
Pay down or restructure current obligations to improve debt service coverage before approaching the bank again.
Unclear or unsupported use of funds
05
Redefine the loan purpose and document exactly how funds will be used and repaid through operations.
  • Reason for Denial
    Insufficient or inconsistent cash flow
    What to Do
    Strengthen operating cash flow, reduce volatility, and ensure financial statements clearly support the requested loan amount.
  • Reason for Denial
    Financial statements do not align with tax returns
    What to Do
    Reconcile internal financials with filed tax returns and prepare clear explanations for any discrepancies before reapplying.
  • Reason for Denial
    Business does not meet minimum operating history
    What to Do
    Extend operating history and reapply once the business demonstrates stable performance over a longer period.
  • Reason for Denial
    High existing debt load
    What to Do
    Pay down or restructure current obligations to improve debt service coverage before approaching the bank again.
  • Reason for Denial
    Unclear or unsupported use of funds
    What to Do
    Redefine the loan purpose and document exactly how funds will be used and repaid through operations.

How Growexa Helps You Get Approved Faster

Bank evaluates business loan applications through structured underwriting, where cash flow, debt load, and loan purpose must align clearly. Growexa helps you prepare a Bank-ready business plan that matches how the bank reviews applications during underwriting.

Pre-qualification before applying
Pre-qualification before applying Validate cash flow, debt capacity, and loan size before approaching the bank.
Matching with the right lender
Matching with the right lender Position your business plan based on lender criteria and loan type.
Reducing rejection risk
Reducing rejection risk Align financials, projections, and loan purpose into one coherent, bank-ready plan.
Working with multiple banks at once
Working with multiple banks at once Use the same structured business plan across multiple lenders without reworking it.
  • Pre-qualification before applying
    Pre-qualification before applying Validate cash flow, debt capacity, and loan size before approaching the bank.
    Matching with the right lender
    Matching with the right lender Position your business plan based on lender criteria and loan type.
  • Reducing rejection risk
    Reducing rejection risk Align financials, projections, and loan purpose into one coherent, bank-ready plan.
    Working with multiple banks at once
    Working with multiple banks at once Use the same structured business plan across multiple lenders without reworking it.
Growexa app screenshot

Growexa helps you prepare a bank-ready business plan that speaks the language of lenders—so you can move through underwriting faster and with fewer rejections.

Growexa app screenshot

FAQ

01 Do I need an existing Chase business account to apply for a loan?

While it may be possible to start discussions without one, Chase typically requires an active business checking account before moving forward with underwriting and funding.While it may be possible to start discussions without one, Chase typically requires an active business checking account before moving forward with underwriting and funding.

02 Does Chase work with startups or new businesses?

Chase primarily lends to established operating businesses. Startups and pre-revenue companies are generally not a fit for Chase’s lending model.

03 How long does the Chase business loan approval process take?

Depending on the loan type and complexity, the process usually takes several weeks from initial banker contact to funding, with SBA and real estate loans taking longer.

04 Is a business plan required to apply for a Chase loan?

A formal business plan is not always mandatory, but Chase expects a clear and well-documented explanation of loan purpose, cash flow, and repayment logic.

05 Are interest rates and terms disclosed upfront?

No. Chase determines rates and final terms individually during underwriting based on credit profile, cash flow strength, collateral, and overall deal structure.