Flexible, accessible loans for business owners
Finance your intermediate or long-term fixed assets, with a wide variety of amounts and terms to choose from.
What are term loans?
A business term loan is a lump sum of capital provided upfront, repaid at regular intervals over a set period. They can be great for investing in an expansion opportunity, purchasing equipment and machinery or funding renovations.
Learn more about our selection of loans:
Unsecured Business Installment Loan
Best for: Businesses that want an unsecured term loan, with a simplified application and decisioning process.
- Loan amounts from $10,000 to $100,000
- No collateral required
- Streamlined application and decisioning process
- Simplified payments – monthly payments automatically deducted from your M&T business checking account
Secured Term Loan
Best for: Business expenses that require longer term financing, like business expansion, equipment or machinery purchases.
- Loan amounts of $10,000 and up
- Secured by business assets
- Convenient terms – Select a fixed or variable rate with a flexible term length up to 10 years
Commercial Real Estate Loan
Best for: Businesses looking to purchase or refinance their current business location.
- Loan amounts from $50,000 and up
- Convenient terms – Select a fixed or variable rate with a flexible term length between 5 and 10 years
- Flexible option mortgage – flexible term and interest rate adjustment periods with corresponding bank call options, no prepayment premiums at set time periods during the loan term, and reduced renewal fees
Investment Real Estate Loan
Best for: Businesses that are purchasing a property or re-financing the renovation of a property for investment purposes.
- Loan amounts of $100,000 and up
- Financing for the purchase or renovation of an investment property (office buildings, shopping centers, mixed-use commercial buildings, multi-family residential properties)
- Convenient terms – Select a fixed or variable rate with a term length up to 10 years, with up to a 25-year amortization
Top questions, answered by our experts.
Can you apply for an SBA loan twice?
There is not a limit to how many times you can apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan. In fact, you can have multiple and concurrent SBA loans to fund various parts of your operation.
SBA loans are backed by the federal government, allowing partnering lenders to absorb more risk in financing businesses that don’t qualify for conventional loans. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender is protected by the government’s guarantee. SBA loans give new businesses or those without strong credit histories a fixed- or variable-rate financing option to fund things like startup expenses, inventory, real estate purchases, construction and working capital. There are options for both secured and unsecured SBA loans. M&T Bank is a top 10 national SBA lender and is top ranked in Baltimore, D.C., Philadelphia, Delaware and Buffalo/Rochester.
Are you trying to decide which small business financing option is right for you? Learn more about:
SBA loans are backed by the federal government, allowing partnering lenders to absorb more risk in financing businesses that don’t qualify for conventional loans. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender is protected by the government’s guarantee. SBA loans give new businesses or those without strong credit histories a fixed- or variable-rate financing option to fund things like startup expenses, inventory, real estate purchases, construction and working capital. There are options for both secured and unsecured SBA loans. M&T Bank is a top 10 national SBA lender and is top ranked in Baltimore, D.C., Philadelphia, Delaware and Buffalo/Rochester.
Are you trying to decide which small business financing option is right for you? Learn more about:
According to statistics released by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for total approved loans through the SBA's 7(a) lending program during the federal fiscal year ending 9/30/2022.
Is a small business loan secured or unsecured?
Both secured and unsecured small business loans are available from M&T Bank. The amount of money you want to borrow, your credit history and your assets will dictate which loan option will be a fit for your business plan.
With non-real estate assets as collateral, you could qualify for a secured term loan of at least $10,000 with fixed or variable interest rates and a flexible term length of up to 10 years. A secured small business loan gives you the advantage of easier qualification, better terms and greater flexibility.
Conversely, you can leverage your strong credit history to get an unsecured loan without putting up any assets. While the loan amounts may be more limited than with a secured loan, an unsecured loan has the advantage of faster underwriting decisions because there is no collateral to appraise.
Are you trying to decide which small business financing option is right for you? Learn more about:
With non-real estate assets as collateral, you could qualify for a secured term loan of at least $10,000 with fixed or variable interest rates and a flexible term length of up to 10 years. A secured small business loan gives you the advantage of easier qualification, better terms and greater flexibility.
Conversely, you can leverage your strong credit history to get an unsecured loan without putting up any assets. While the loan amounts may be more limited than with a secured loan, an unsecured loan has the advantage of faster underwriting decisions because there is no collateral to appraise.
Are you trying to decide which small business financing option is right for you? Learn more about:
Are small business loans fixed or variable?
Both fixed- and variable-rate small business loans are available from M&T Bank. We offer competitive interest rates on a variety of business lending options, including secured and unsecured installment and term loans, SBA loans, equipment loans, real estate loans and business lines of credit.
A fixed-rate small business loan, for which the interest rate remains the same throughout the term of the loan, allows business owners to set their budget knowing the exact amount due each month. Variable-rate loans, on the other hand, could save you money with a more competitive initial interest rate and if interest rates go down during the term. Your business plan, personal credit history, collateral and other variables will factor into determining what type of loan, interest rate and term length is available to you.
Are you trying to decide which small business financing option is right for you? Learn more about:
A fixed-rate small business loan, for which the interest rate remains the same throughout the term of the loan, allows business owners to set their budget knowing the exact amount due each month. Variable-rate loans, on the other hand, could save you money with a more competitive initial interest rate and if interest rates go down during the term. Your business plan, personal credit history, collateral and other variables will factor into determining what type of loan, interest rate and term length is available to you.
Are you trying to decide which small business financing option is right for you? Learn more about:
Does a business loan affect personal credit?
If you personally guarantee your debt, which is common with startup financing for sole proprietors and partnerships, your repayment of your loan will have a direct impact on your personal credit. If your business is structured as a corporation, your personal credit is protected and kept separate from the business’s credit.
If you have enough business assets to serve as sufficient collateral on a secured loan, you may be able to limit your personal credit exposure. For unsecured loans and SBA loans, most lenders will require a personal guarantee.
Remember, having your personal credit tied to your business loan can be a good thing. While it’s true that late payments or defaulting on your loan will hurt your credit score, if you pay off your debt on time, you’ll enhance your credit and bolster your ability to borrow more money in the future. You can also deduct the loan interest that you pay from your taxable income.
Are you trying to decide which small business financing option is right for you? Learn more about:
If you have enough business assets to serve as sufficient collateral on a secured loan, you may be able to limit your personal credit exposure. For unsecured loans and SBA loans, most lenders will require a personal guarantee.
Remember, having your personal credit tied to your business loan can be a good thing. While it’s true that late payments or defaulting on your loan will hurt your credit score, if you pay off your debt on time, you’ll enhance your credit and bolster your ability to borrow more money in the future. You can also deduct the loan interest that you pay from your taxable income.
Are you trying to decide which small business financing option is right for you? Learn more about:
Partner with M&T Bank
Partner with an expert in businesses like yours. Whether you’re a start-up without a proven credit history or an established business that can qualify for the most competitive rates, M&T has a financing solution right for you. Book an appointment with your nearest branch in person, on the phone or by video.
An M&T Business Banker will contact you within two business days.
Ready to get started? Call your dedicated M&T Bank Relationship Manager, stop by your nearest branch or call 1-800-724-6070.
All loans and lines of credit are subject to receipt of a complete M&T application, credit approval and other conditions.
Unless otherwise specified, all advertised offers and terms and conditions of accounts and services are subject to change at any time without notice. After an account is opened or service begins, it is subject to its features, conditions and terms, which are subject to change at any time in accordance with applicable laws and agreements. Please contact an M&T representative for details.