Commercial lenders can be broadly categorised into two distinct types: banks and non-bank lenders. Each plays a distinct role in how capital is deployed across the market.
1. Traditional Banks
Banks are the most common providers of capital for established businesses with steady cash flow. As highly regulated institutions, they typically have the highest credit standards.
Banks range from large global institutions to small local banks. Local and regional banks frequently serve smaller customers, but may not have a full suite of lending products.
The Big Players:
JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo.
Key Characteristics:
- Lowest interest rates
- Strict underwriting and covenants (financial rules you must follow, such as maintaining a certain debt-to-income ratio)
- Often require a personal guarantee (you are personally liable) for small loans
2. Non-Bank Institutional Lenders (Private Credit)
Private credit has expanded rapidly in the US over the last decade. These lenders are regulated outside of the banking system and face much less scrutiny than a bank.
This flexibility allows them to lend to companies that might be too risky or “complex” for a traditional bank. Similar to banks, there are non-bank lenders of all sizes serving different segments of the market.
The Big Players:
Large asset managers such as Ares Management and Blackstone all have private credit strategies for deploying capital.
Key Characteristics:
- Usually higher interest rates than banks, due to (a) lending into riskier transactions or companies and (b) the higher returns that non-bank lenders need to pay out to their investors
- Often have very specific deployment strategies, whether that is focusing on a certain asset class, industry vertical, deployment size or financial product
While there is no simple way to categorise the scale and complexity of the commercial lending market, it is helpful to break down lenders by how they approach the market and/or the lending products they offer.
1. Asset-Based Lending
These providers focus less on profitability and more on collateral.
The mechanism: They lend against specific assets such as accounts receivable, inventory or machinery.
Typical users: Companies in a “turnaround” phase or those with high seasonal fluctuations (such as retail) that need liquidity to build inventory.
2. Equipment Finance
A specialised form of lending used to acquire physical assets such as vehicles, machinery or infrastructure.
The mechanism: The asset itself serves as collateral, with repayments aligned to its usage or economic life.
Typical users: Fleet operators, logistics companies and infrastructure developers.
3. Term Loans
The most traditional form of corporate lending.
The mechanism: A lump sum is provided upfront and repaid over a fixed period with interest. Repayment is supported by corporate cash flows.
Typical users: Established businesses financing expansion, acquisitions or refinancing.
4. Venture Debt
A specialised niche designed for venture-backed companies seeking non-dilutive capital.
The mechanism: Debt financing alongside equity backing that extends operational runway without dilution or supports asset build-up. Often includes warrants (the right to buy equity later at a low price).
Typical users: VC-backed start-ups that are often not yet profitable and would not meet traditional credit criteria. Venture debt bridges cash flow until a future equity round or supports the acquisition of assets to be deployed by the company.
5. Government-Backed Lending (SBA)
The Small Business Administration does not usually lend the money directly; instead, it guarantees the loan for a bank or non-bank lender.
- 7(a) Loan Programme: The “gold standard” for small business debt. It can be used for almost any business purpose.
- 504 Loan Programme: Focused on fixed assets such as property or heavy equipment.
The mechanism: A term loan guaranteed by the SBA and issued by an approved lender. The guarantee allows for longer repayment terms, lower deposits and improved access to capital for smaller businesses. A personal guarantee is usually required.
Typical user: Small businesses without sufficient credit to obtain a bank loan but that want to access financing through the traditional banking channel. Loan sizes are usually too small to attract private credit lenders.
6. Fintech & Alternative Lenders
These are the high-speed, algorithm-driven providers often found online. These lenders are well established in consumer credit markets and are starting to expand into business lending.
The mechanism and typical user vary based on the market segment the lender is trying to serve. These lenders are known for fast approvals (sometimes within 24 hours) and simplified application processes.
The “effective APR” can be very high, sometimes 20% to 50%, making this a “last resort” or a short-term bridge for many businesses.
7. Specialist and Emerging Lenders
This category includes:
- Green banks and climate-focused lenders
- OEM and dealer financing arms
These providers often play a critical role in specific sectors, particularly where domain expertise or asset knowledge is required.
The commercial lending landscape is broad and increasingly complex. While traditional banks remain the lowest-cost providers of capital, non-bank lenders and alternative financing models are playing an increasingly important role in enabling access to capital across a wider range of businesses and asset types.
Understanding how these lenders operate, and where they fit, is critical for businesses seeking to structure financing effectively.