Business Loan from Old National Bank  

Requirements, Steps & Approval Guide

4.3
★★★★☆ Bankrate Score
Best for

Established Midwestern businesses seeking competitive acquisition rates, personalized relationship banking, and local underwriting flexibility across the region.

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

Old National Bank operates as a prominent regional lender across nine Midwestern states, combining the financial capability of a top-40 U.S. commercial bank with a localized, relationship-driven approach to corporate credit. For expanding enterprises looking for financing, the institution positions its lending strategy around regionalized decision-making, ensuring that credit requests, portfolio monitoring, and underwriting parameters are managed by teams familiar with local market dynamics rather than distant corporate committees.

Their lending operations tightly integrate with their proprietary cash management infrastructure, the bank heavily prioritizes comprehensive relationship banking. This model yields faster turnarounds and structured credit flexibility for established local operators, though it mandates a strict geographic presence within their physical footprint and adheres to traditional documentation standards during the credit review process.

Pros&Cons

  • Deep business acquisition underwriting
  • Below-market SBA loan rates
  • Dedicated regional relationship managers
  • Robust fraud mitigation tools
  • Extensive fee-free ATM network
  • Strict regional branch footprint
  • Requires good credit and a strong financial profile
  • Higher collateral requirements expected
  • No instant online approvals

What Types of Businesses Are Typically Financed?

Old National Bank primarily structures its commercial financing for established, revenue-generating enterprises operating directly within its nine-state Midwestern footprint. However, through flexible local underwriting and specialized initiatives like its Empowerment Loan Program, the institution actively extends funding to historically underserved operators who fall just outside traditional credit profiles.

Business structure Business structure
LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, Partnerships, and Sole Proprietorships.
Business stage Business stage
Primarily established businesses (2+ years), though new entities are explicitly eligible through specialized community funding lanes.
Minimum annual revenue Minimum annual revenue
No stated minimum baseline, but standard commercial underwriting targets healthy debt service coverage ratios.
Industries Industries
Agribusiness, Healthcare Finance, Franchise Banking, Senior Housing, Nonprofits, Professional Services, Commercial Real Estate, Manufacturing, and Logistics/Distribution.
Geography Geography
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Use of funds Use of funds
Commercial real estate acquisitions, machinery/equipment financing, franchise capitalization, business acquisition/transitions, and short-term working capital optimization.
Financial profile Financial profile
Consistent cash flows with strong recurring deposit patterns.
Ownership
Open to all corporate equity allocations, with dedicated credit matching frameworks for women-, minority-, and community-focused operators.
Business credit score Business credit score
Not publicly disclosed as a standalone requirement.
Personal credit score Personal credit score
680+
U.S. bank account U.S. bank account
Required
EIN / SSN / ITIN EIN / SSN / ITIN
EIN required for business profiles; SSN required from all key principles holding 20%+ equity for mandatory personal guarantees.

What Business Loan Products Are Available?

  • Term Loan

    Description

    Flexible financing for business expansion, equipment purchases, acquisitions, refinancing, and other long-term capital needs.

    Apply now
  • Traditional Line of Credit

    Description

    A revolving credit line that provides ongoing access to working capital for cash flow management, inventory purchases, payroll, and day-to-day operating expenses.

    Apply now
  • SBA Loans

    Description

    Government-backed financing through SBA 7(a), SBA Express, and SBA 504 programs for startups, business growth, real estate, equipment, and working capital.

    Apply now
  • Community Development Lending

    Description

    Specialized financing that supports affordable housing, community development projects, tax credit initiatives, and public-private investment programs.

    Apply now

What Documents Are Required to Apply?

To apply for a small business or corporate loan at Old National Bank, you must submit a structured application packet. Because they emphasize a personalized relationship banking model rather than automated algorithm approvals, accurate and thorough documentation speeds up your time-to-funding.

Business Financials Business Financials
Complete federal business tax returns for the last three consecutive years, including all associated schedules and K-1 forms. Profit & Loss (P&L) statements, balance sheets, cash flow projections.
Owner Financials & Identity Owner Financials & Identity
A completed and signed Old National Bank Personal Financial Statement form dated within the last 12 months. Individual federal tax returns. Valid, government-issued photo ID.
Legal & Tax Documents Legal & Tax Documents
Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization, official Employer Identification Number. Professional business licenses, an active State Agency Certificate of Good Standing
Loan Purpose & Operations Loan Purpose & Operations
A formalized explanation of the precise loan dollar amount requested and an itemized breakdown of the proposed use of funds.
Real Estate & Collateral Real Estate & Collateral
A copy of the signed purchase agreement, copies of all active tenant leases for the property being financed. State property titles.

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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Relationship Consultation

Meet a regional relationship manager to discuss financing needs.
1 day
Booking an appointment without loan purpose clarity.

Submission of Documents

Compile and submit the required business documentations.
2 – 5 days
Providing outdated signatures or partial tax returns.

Proposal Review

The bank analyzes initial files and provides a formal proposal letter outlining prospective loan conditions.
3 – 7 days
Treating the introductory terms as a guaranteed credit approval rather than a non-binding offer.

Financial Underwriting

Local credit officers audit cash flows and analyze borrower risk profiles.
1 – 3 weeks
Slow or fragmented replies to credit officer clarifying data inquiries.

Credit Decision

The local credit committee issues a formal term sheet detailing rates and covenants.
2 – 5 days
Neglecting to negotiate terms.

Closing & Disbursement

Closing counsel generates final agreements, and capital transfers.
3 – 7 days
Delaying signature execution by principal owners.
  • 01

    Relationship Consultation

    Meet a regional relationship manager to discuss financing needs.
    1 day
    Booking an appointment without loan purpose clarity.
  • 02

    Submission of Documents

    Compile and submit the required business documentations.
    2 – 5 days
    Providing outdated signatures or partial tax returns.
  • 03

    Proposal Review

    The bank analyzes initial files and provides a formal proposal letter outlining prospective loan conditions.
    3 – 7 days
    Treating the introductory terms as a guaranteed credit approval rather than a non-binding offer.
  • 04

    Financial Underwriting

    Local credit officers audit cash flows and analyze borrower risk profiles.
    1 – 3 weeks
    Slow or fragmented replies to credit officer clarifying data inquiries.
  • 05

    Credit Decision

    The local credit committee issues a formal term sheet detailing rates and covenants.
    2 – 5 days
    Neglecting to negotiate terms.
  • 06

    Closing & Disbursement

    Closing counsel generates final agreements, and capital transfers.
    3 – 7 days
    Delaying signature execution by principal owners.

What Do Customers Say?

Johnny Trent
Johnny Trent
US

They have been top notch in customer service and I have not had any issues.

Read more
Matt Drethen
Matt Drethen
US

I had a good experience getting a mortgage through them. The lender agent we used was not a good communicator, but their rates were VERY competitive, almost too good to be true and we closed on our home and have a much better rate than the other options. Mostly satisfied!

Read more

Common Reasons for Loan Denial — and What to Do Next

Old National Bank employs structured, in-house regional underwriting teams that manually inspect applications rather than instantly scoring them via automated algorithms. Understanding why these traditional credit committees turn down a file can help you properly position your business for an approval or pivot your strategy.

Reason for Denial
What to Do
Low Debt Service Coverage
01
Restructure your capital request to lower monthly overhead or pay down outstanding lines.
Outside Geographic Footprint
02
Ensure your business operations or financed commercial properties reside directly inside their 9-state Midwestern lending map.
Insufficient Personal Credit
03
Apply for the bank’s specialized Empowerment Loan Program, which utilizes expanded credit criteria and accommodates lower minimum personal scores.
Unbacked Change of Ownership
04
Provide an exhaustive history of the acquisition target along with a solid business plan proving you have the specific industry experience to run it.
Unaligned Cash Patterns
05
Move your primary business checking operations to Old National Bank to establish historical deposit consistency and clear transaction visibility.
  • Reason for Denial
    Low Debt Service Coverage
    What to Do
    Restructure your capital request to lower monthly overhead or pay down outstanding lines.
  • Reason for Denial
    Outside Geographic Footprint
    What to Do
    Ensure your business operations or financed commercial properties reside directly inside their 9-state Midwestern lending map.
  • Reason for Denial
    Insufficient Personal Credit
    What to Do
    Apply for the bank’s specialized Empowerment Loan Program, which utilizes expanded credit criteria and accommodates lower minimum personal scores.
  • Reason for Denial
    Unbacked Change of Ownership
    What to Do
    Provide an exhaustive history of the acquisition target along with a solid business plan proving you have the specific industry experience to run it.
  • Reason for Denial
    Unaligned Cash Patterns
    What to Do
    Move your primary business checking operations to Old National Bank to establish historical deposit consistency and clear transaction visibility.

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 How can I open a business checking account?

To open a business checking account, please call at 1-800-731-2265, visit any banking center or send an information request form.

02 How do I enroll in Small Business Digital Banking?

If you’re a small business client, associates in Old National Bank's banking centers can enroll you in Small Business Digital Banking. Once enrolled, you can then access your Small Business Digital Banking account via web browser or download our mobile app for the best experience.

03 How do I apply for a business loan?

You will want to talk to a member of Old National Bank's business banking team, since the best loan solution can depend on your specific needs and goals.

04 Can I Use an SBA 7(A) Loan for Business Acquisition?

Yes, SBA 7(a) loans are available for business expansion.

05 How can I access my business credit card online?

If you already have a business or commercial credit card through Old National, you can log in to that account on Old National Bank's  business credit card page. Just click or tap the blue Access Your Account button.