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Bluevine Review: Expert Analysis & User Insights for 2024
Consider Bluevine if you’re looking for a small business line of credit. Bluevine is a fast and easy online lender with flexible qualification requirements. Bluevine offers credit lines up to $250,000 and approves borrowers with credit scores as low as 625.
Min. Credit Score 625+
Loan Amount $5K-$250K
Loan Repayment 6-12 months
Written by:Gordon Scott
Reviewed by: Sarah Brooks, Personal Finance Writer and Editor
Fact Checked by: Somer G. Anderson, Accounting and Finance Professor
Expert Reviewer Verdict
Bluevine business lines of credit are best for businesses that are steady and have a need for bridge funding just to help them get from one project to the next. Another type of costumers for Bluevine loans are businesses with high probability projects that don't have the required credit scores but don't want to make their credit score any worse by taking loans from traditional banks.
In fact, most small business line of credit customers rate Bluevine as “excellent”, meaning that they are generally happy with their loan products. In this review, our team of expert reviewers has thoroughly analyzed and evaluated Bluevine's business line of credit. We will share our findings and provide our expert recommendations on whether Bluevine business line of credit is worth considering.
Bluevine Reviews - What People Are Saying
Bluevine has a robust online presence. Most of the Bluevine reviews speak positively about the platform. The company garnered an average rating of 4.4 stars on Trustpilot with over 7,000 reviews. On Better Business Bureau (BBB), customers rated Bluevine loans and products 2.19 out of 5 stars across 160 reviews and an A+ rating. Bluevine also closed 281 complaints i the last 3 years, and 78 complaints i nthe last 12 months.
Let us take a closer look at customer reviews on Trustpilot
While 81% of customers rate Bluevine as “excellent”, 11% of customers rate their experience as “bad.” However, most of these bad reviews refer to Bluevine’s checking accounts.
Bluevine offers a 1% interest on their checking accounts, which is quite attractive. However, during the period between September and October 2021, the company underwent a transfer from one named entity to another, and some of the funds got held up and frozen. So, when looking at negative reviews, keep in mind that most of them are related to the frozen funds in checking accounts, and not Bluevine’s loan services.
In fact, most small business line of credit customers rate Bluevine as “excellent,” meaning that they are generally happy with their loan products. If you believe that you are the right type of customer for loan products offered by Bluevine, this alternative lender is definitely worth your attention.
| Positive Reviews | Negative Reviews |
| Customer care support team | High late fee payment |
| Simple and intuitive platform | Rejected draws |
| No minimum balance required | Notification factoring |
Summarized Ratings
User Reviews4.1
Loan Features2.5
Interest Rates & Fees3.3
Qualification Leniency4.2
Application Process4
Soft-pull impact on credit score5
Customer Support5
This parameter considers the scores achieved from independent user review sites, such as Trustpilot. Ideally, each platform’s rating reflects scores from three distinct user review sites. However, this isn’t always possible. Ultimately, the various scores were aggregated and averaged to establish an overall user reviews score.
Bluevine has a good User Reviews rating of 4.1. It reflects the average rating from 2 independent user review sites, including a Trustpilot score of 4.2.
Bluevine Review Video
Our small business loan expert, Gordon Scott, provides an in-depth analysis, including pros and cons, of Bluevine’s small business line of credit.
What is Bluevine?
Bluevine is a fintech company offering checking accounts and small business lines of credit to businesses with less-than-perfect credit scores. Backed by the FDIC, Bluevine is an attractive alternative to traditional banks and credit unions.
Bluevine Line of Credit Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Bluevine Line of Credit Features
A business line of credit is an unsecured, flexible small business loan that you can access as needed with interest charged when the money is borrowed. Businesses typically use lines of credit to cover gaps in revenue, to finance new projects, or to purchase inventory. In order to qualify, you must have a minimum credit score of 625.
| Term Length | 6 or 12 months |
| Repayment Period | Weekly and monthly |
| Min-Max Amount | $5,000 to $250,000 |
Bluevine Interest Rates and Fees
Bluevine offers monthly or weekly repayment options for their lines of credit, with a six or 12 month payback period. Since repayments are calculated daily using simple interest, you save money by paying early. There are no penalties for paying early.
Below are the following fees you can expect with a Bluevine line of credit:
| Origination Fees | None |
| Prepayment Fees | None |
| Late Payment Fees | Up to 5% of missed repayment plus the interest that has accrued |
| Maintenance Fees | None |
| Interest Rates | 0.30%-1.50% per week (Flex6) 1.50%-6.50% per month (Flex12) |
How to Qualify for Bluevine Loan
During the application process, your business will be evaluated to determine the likelihood you can pay back the loan. Certain industries are not eligible for lines of credit, including gambling, political campaigns, auto sales, firearms, financial institutions, and nonprofits. In addition, North and South Dakota businesses are not eligible for lines of credit with Bluevine.
- Credit History: 625+ FICO score
- Time in Business: 6+ months in business
- Monthly Revenue: $10,000 a month in revenue
Bluevine Loan Application Process
The Bluevine loan application process is incredibly simple, and can be completed in as little as five minutes. Below, Gordon Scott walks us through the step-by-step process.
1. Soft Credit Check
First, Bluevine performs a soft credit pull. This means that they check your credit through an independent party, which gives them enough information to make sure you qualify without hurting your credit score.
Note: Soft credit pulls can add up if you shop around, and they may temporarily have a minimum effect on your credit score.
2. Fill Out the Application Form
The questions you would need to answer are very simple, including:
- Amount of money required
- Preferred financing type
- Identification information
You’ll also need to provide a few documents, such as:
- Two to three months of bank statements
- Two years of personal tax returns
When filling out the application form, make sure to read the fine print so that you don’t miss any important details. You will then be asked to share some details about your business. The answers you provide to the questions in the application form will determine what additional information you will be asked for.
3. Connect Your Bank Account
Once you fill out all the required fields, you will be asked to connect your bank account. If you are approved for the loan, the funds will be electronically transferred into your account in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
4. Pay Back the Loan
Each draw on your line of credit is paid back with fixed monthly or weekly payments over six or 12 months. When the time comes to make your payment, Bluevine will automatically take it out of your bank account. While this is very convenient, it means that the lender can take the money out on their own terms. You need to keep track of your payment schedule in order to be prepared for automatic payments.
5. Continually Access More Funds
As you pay off your balance, your funds are replenished and you’re able to use that money again. This is similar to how a credit card works in that it’s a revolving line of credit. Use as needed, pay it off, use again as needed, and so on and so forth.
Bluevine Customer Support
Bluevine’s customer service is highly rated and regarded. You can get in touch with the customer care support team from morning (8 am ET) to evening (8 pm ET) Monday through Friday. Customers can reach representatives through their website contact page, as well as through Facebook and Twitter for less formal interactions
Bluevine’s customer service representatives are very responsive regardless of the contact method you choose. Additional help is also available on Bluevine’s FAQ page.
Bluevine is highly rated for its transparency and you can find additional information in their resources section, including a FAQ page, a help center, a list of partners, and a business blog that covers a variety of relevant topics.
Perks and Bonuses
Bluevine’s primary focus is working with the financial needs of small businesses. Perks and bonuses of securing a loan with Bluevine include:
Flexibility
Customers may repay their lines of credit via check, credit card or ACH transfers. Once approved, Bluevine funds are available upon demand. Qualified borrowers can gain access to credit limits up to a maximum of $250,000. The credit limit terms are a maximum of 12 months.
Transparency
Bluevine’s website is easy to navigate and Trustpilot reviews for Bluevine are outstanding, with customers reporting high levels of satisfaction with the application process and funding experience. Bluevine clearly states what you need to qualify, what you can expect as far as repayment terms, and how to make the most of your Bluevine line of credit.
Technology
Customers are able to access their account information via the online portal, Bluevine app or ATM by using the Bluevine Business Debit Mastercard. Borrowers may also opt to pay on their line of credit via autopay or by setting up recurring online payments.
Bluevine Alternatives
Fundbox
Fundbox offers small business loans and lines of credit up to $150,000. The requirements are similar to Bluevine’s, with the exception being credit score. To qualify for funding from Fundbox, you need a minimum credit score of 600, as opposed to Bluevine’s minimum of 625.
Fundbox lines of credit terms are 12 or 24 weeks, with rates starting at 4.66% for 12-week terms. Term loans, on the other hand, are paid back over 24 or 52 weeks, with rates starting at 8.33% for 24-week terms. Applying takes just a few minutes, and funds can be in your account as soon as the next business day.
Learn more in our Fundbox vs Bluevine review.
Additional Alternatives
| Lender | Loan Amount | Interest Rates | Min. time in business | Min. Revenue |
| Credibly | Up to $400K | Starting at 6.99% | 2 years | $100K |
| Biz2Credit | $25K - $6 million | Starting at 7.99% | 6 months | $250K |
| OnDeck | $6k - $250K | Varies | 1 year | $100,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
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Written by: Gordon Scott
Gordon Scott is an author, trading instructor, trading coach and curriculum developer for financial education. He served as the managing director for the CMT Association from 2013 to 2018, overseeing the development and production of the CMT exams and their curriculum.
More about meReviewed by: Sarah Brooks
Sarah Brooks is a personal finance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience. She specializes in personal and business loans, mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards.
More about meFact Checked by: Somer G. Anderson
Somer G. Anderson has been working in the accounting and finance industries for over 20 years as a financial statement auditor, a finance manager in a large healthcare organization, and a finance and accounting professor. Over that time, she's earned a doctorate in personal financial planning and her CPA, CGMA, and...
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