(800) 949-0401 
ACH stands for automatic clearing house and is sometimes called an ACH advance, ACH line of credit, or ACH cash flow loan. It is a popular way to get quick funding for small businesses since it does not have strict requirements unlike traditional bank loans.
An ACH loan is based on your ability to consistently make revenue instead of your credit history. Although it is a great short-term financing options, it does have its setbacks. Read on to learn everything you need to know about ACH loans from how they work, their benefits, and some drawbacks to make note of before you apply.
What Is an ACH Loan?
When you apply for an ACH loan, the lender considers your company’s checking account balance, rather than your business credit. If they see that you qualify, the lender withdraws loan payments straight for your business bank account.
There is no minimum credit score to qualify and having collateral is not necessary to qualify. This is a great funding solution for those who have poor credit or are lacking business history.
Advantages of an ACH Business Loan
There are benefits for both the borrower and the lender when using an ACH business loan.
Pros of an ACH business loan for borrowers include:
- Easy and fast approval process
- Easy qualifications
- Scheduled automatic payments
- Fixed loan payments
- Lenient credit score requirements
- No collateral requirements
Pros of an ACH business loan for lenders include:
- Business bank account verification
- Facilitating quick and easy electronic payments
- Lower fees than checks and credit-card processing
- Electronic records of all payments made
- Reduction in cost of money transfers
Disadvantages of an ACH Business Loan
The cons to ACH business loan, include:
- Expensive to borrow
- Small loan amounts
- Daily or weekly payments may be too frequent (about 3 to 6 months)
- Terms can be invisible once set
- No business credit
ACH Loan Requirements
As previously mentioned, the process for applying for an ACH loan is an easier process compared to traditional business loans. The following are examples of the items you will need to have when you are applying.
- Your business must be in business for at least 3 months or more
- You must own at least 51% of the business and prove you have no bankruptcies
- You need at least $12,000 in monthly income to qualify
- You need to show you have made an average of 6 bank deposits each month for the past 3 months
- You need clear copies of identification for all business owners
- You need a voided check for the business bank account that is to be funded
In addition, lenders consider a company’s future cash projections and review cash flow statements to see the average daily balance of the checking account. Your application is more likely to be approved if the lender is confident that you will be able to repay the loan back.
If you find that you have poor credit, there are other financing options you can consider that will work better for you such as, invoice financing, equipment loans, business credit cards, and short-term lines of credit.
Before You Apply for an ACH Loan
After reading the information above, you might still need to consider the following before you apply for an ACH business loan.
- Compare options: ACH loans are not the only way to get funding for your business. Check out alternative options that are more affordable if possible.
- Understand the repayment terms: It is important to understand how the payment procession on an ACH loan is structured upfront.
- Look at your budget: Are you able to handle the repayment schedule on top of your existing expenses? If not, you may not want to apply for financing.
The Bottom Line
There are many options for financing you can consider. Make sure you have a plan and have all the information you need to know about the types of business loans available and determine which one will best suit your business. No matter which route you choose, make sure you borrow responsibly.
