Approach
How we explain funding options
Last updated: November 2026
How does this site decide which funding option to suggest?
This site matches each 1West financing option to the business need it serves, using the same five criteria for every product.
1West wrote and publishes this site. It is educational, not independent, and it does not rank lenders. It exists to help owners understand options before applying through ABLE.
Our five rules
Same criteria for every option
Each product is described by what it is used for, what backs it, amount, term, and time to fund.
1West figures come from 1west.com
Rates, amounts, terms, and funding times are copied from 1West product pages and labeled with an as of date.
Market figures are attributed
Statistics from other publications are named and linked, and never presented as 1West results.
Gaps stay gaps
Where 1West does not publish a figure, we say it is set by the lender instead of estimating.
No promises
We never promise approval, timing, rates, or outcomes. Final terms come from the lender.
How we chose what to cover first
Published research shows meeting operating expenses is the most common reason small businesses borrow, so working capital and cash flow come first. Equipment financing and SBA readiness follow because they are the next most common decisions for established businesses. This order was set by 1West, the publisher of this site. See the sources on small business lending by the numbers.
Questions about our approach
- What is the best small business funding option?
- The best small business funding option is the one matched to what you are paying for. Use working capital or a line of credit for operating gaps, equipment financing for a specific asset, receivables financing when invoices tie up cash, and SBA or real estate loans for long term projects. Comparing several offers on total cost is the most reliable way to decide.
- What are typical interest rates on a business loan?
- Business loan rates vary widely by lender, product, and borrower. One 2026 roundup of small business loans reports rates ranging from 3% to 60% or higher. On the 1West website, listed starting rates are as low as 5% for receivables, 6% for real estate, and 7% for equipment financing. These are not quotes.
- What are the requirements to apply with 1West?
- 1West generally asks that applicants have been in business for at least six months, provide four months of business bank statements, have monthly revenue of at least $20,000, and have a FICO score of 600 or higher. Meeting these does not guarantee approval; each lender and product has its own requirements and final terms.
- What is the difference between a factor rate and APR?
- A factor rate is a multiplier applied to the amount borrowed, while APR expresses yearly cost including interest and many fees. A factor rate can look small but represent a high annual cost on a short term product. When comparing offers, convert each to total dollars repaid and the time to repay, so the numbers sit on equal footing.
- Should I apply for several loans at once?
- Applying lender by lender can mean repeating paperwork and multiple credit reviews. A single application through a platform like 1West lets you see several matched options in one place. Ask how and when your credit will be checked so you understand the impact before submitting.
When you are ready, apply once
Every application link on this site goes to the official 1West ABLE intake.
Eligibility and final terms depend on the financing product and lender. No approval, rate, or timing is guaranteed.