SBA loans, working capital, lines of credit, equipment financing, invoice factoring, purchase order financing, and commercial real estate — compared side by side. PMF LA helps you find the right fit before you spend time on the wrong path.
PMF LA is an independent business funding resource — not a bank, marketplace, or lender. We help owners understand what is available, what fits their situation, and what to avoid before they commit to a path.
Eight major funding types compared across the factors that matter most — speed, amounts, term length, best use, minimum requirements, and where PMF LA can help.
| Funding Type | Time to Fund | Typical Amounts | Term | Best For | PMF LA Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) Loan | 2–8 weeks | Up to $5M | 10–25 years | Expansion, equipment, working capital, real estate | SBA 7(a) |
| SBA 504 Loan | 4–8 weeks | Up to $5.5M+ | 10–25 years | Owner-occupied real estate, major equipment | SBA 504 |
| SBA Express | 1–3 weeks | Up to $500K | Up to 7–10 years | Faster SBA path, lines of credit, smaller needs | SBA Express |
| Working Capital | 1–5 days | $10K–$2M+ | 3–24 months | Payroll, inventory, cash flow gaps, fast opportunities | Working Capital |
| Business Line of Credit | Days to 2 weeks | $10K–$500K+ | Revolving | Recurring or variable needs, seasonal cash flow | Line of Credit |
| Equipment Financing | 2–7 days | $10K–$5M+ | 2–7 years | Revenue-producing equipment, fleet, machinery | Equipment Financing |
| Invoice Factoring | 1–3 days | Based on invoices | Ongoing | B2B businesses with slow-paying customers | Invoice Factoring |
| Purchase Order Financing | 3–7 days | Based on PO | PO cycle | Fulfilling large customer orders without draining cash | PO Financing |
| Commercial Real Estate | 3–8 weeks | $250K–$10M+ | 5–30 years | Property acquisition, refinance, investor growth | CRE Financing |
Ranges are illustrative. Actual terms depend on business profile, credit, revenue, and lender. PMF LA helps you understand what you qualify for before you apply.
The four most common funding decisions — broken down plainly so you know which path fits before you spend time on the wrong one.
These are not interchangeable. SBA loans and working capital solve different problems at different timelines.
| SBA Loans | Working Capital | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 2–8 weeks depending on program | 1–5 business days |
| Documentation | Full business financials, tax returns, projections | Bank statements, revenue history |
| Repayment | Monthly, 10–25 years | Daily or weekly, 3–24 months |
| Rates | Lower — SBA rate caps apply | Higher — factor rates or short-term APR |
| Best for | Expansion, real estate, equipment, refinancing | Payroll, inventory, cash flow gaps, fast needs |
| Fits when | You have time, documentation, and a defined project | Speed matters more than cost |
Both provide business capital but with different structures. The right choice depends on how predictable the need is.
| Business Line of Credit | Term Loan | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Revolving — draw, repay, draw again | Lump sum — fixed amount, fixed repayment |
| Interest | Only on the drawn balance | On the full loan amount |
| Best for | Variable or recurring needs, seasonal gaps | One-time defined expense, equipment, expansion |
| Predictability | Flexible — pay down and redraw as needed | Predictable — same payment every cycle |
| Fits when | Cash flow varies or needs are unpredictable | You know exactly what you need and when |
Both solve cash flow gaps, but from different sources. Factoring converts receivables. Working capital advances against revenue.
| Invoice Factoring | Working Capital | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Sell outstanding invoices at a discount for immediate cash | Advance against future revenue or cash flow |
| Best for | B2B businesses with slow-paying customers or long net terms | Any business needing fast operating capital |
| Credit focus | Your customers' creditworthiness | Your business revenue and history |
| Repayment | When your customer pays the factor | Daily or weekly from your revenue |
| Fits when | Cash gap is caused by outstanding receivables | Cash gap is general operating or growth need |
Both finance commercial property, but for different buyer profiles and timelines.
| SBA 504 Loan | Commercial Mortgage | |
|---|---|---|
| Property type | Owner-occupied — business must occupy 51%+ | Owner-occupied or investment property |
| Down payment | As low as 10% | Typically 20–35% |
| Rates | Fixed below-market on the SBA portion | Market rates, fixed or variable |
| Process | More complex — CDC, lender, and SBA all involved | More direct — lender to borrower |
| Fits when | Owner-occupied property, want lower down payment and fixed rate | Investment property or faster, simpler process preferred |
Match your primary need to the funding structure most likely to fit. PMF LA helps you confirm the right path before you spend time on applications.
You need capital in days, not weeks. Revenue is consistent. You need to bridge a gap or cover an immediate operating need.
→ Working capital or business line of credit
You have a defined project. You have time to document it. You want the best possible terms on a structured, longer-term loan.
→ SBA 7(a) or term loan
Your cash flow varies by month or season. You want access to capital you can draw when needed without paying for what you do not use.
→ Business line of credit
You need a specific piece of equipment that will generate revenue. The equipment can serve as collateral. You want fixed payments tied to the asset.
→ Equipment financing
Your cash flow gap is caused by customers on net 30, 60, or 90 terms. You have outstanding invoices that have not been paid yet.
→ Invoice factoring
You want to buy the property your business occupies — or acquire investment property. You want to build equity instead of paying rent.
→ SBA 504 or commercial mortgage
Most business owners end up on a marketplace that routes them to whoever pays a referral fee, or at a bank that only offers what the bank sells. PMF LA works differently.
Marketplaces match borrowers to lenders automatically and earn referral fees. PMF LA works with business owners before any application — helping them understand what fits their situation, not what's easiest to place.
A bank recommends what the bank sells. PMF LA covers SBA loans, working capital, lines of credit, equipment financing, factoring, PO financing, and commercial real estate — with a direct partnership with Newtek, a nationally recognized SBA preferred lender, and a network of banks and lenders across all product types.
PMF LA's first step is a conversation about the business, the need, and the options — not an application. That conversation prevents business owners from spending time on the wrong path and improves outcomes when they do apply.
PMF LA helps business owners compare options before they apply — so they spend time on the right path, not the wrong one. Based in Los Angeles. Serving businesses across the U.S. and Canada.