Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may affect which companies we write about and where the company appears on a page. However, any analyses or reviews expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been approved or endorsed by any partner.
Pros
Cons
LoanBuilder Loan Features
LoanBuilder only offers a short-term loan, from $5,000 to $500,000. Terms range between 13 and 52 weeks and payments are made weekly. You choose the day of the week that the payment will be deducted from your account – this day cannot be changed afterward.
| Term Length | 3 – 12 Months |
| Repayment Period | Weekly |
| APR Range | 24% – 49% (6% – 19% fixed) |
| Min-Max Amount | $5,000 – $500,000 |
LoanBuilder Rates, Fees, and Penalties
The fees and penalties associated with LoanBuilder are straightforward. Aside from a $20 Returned Payment Fee, the single fixed fee ranges between 6 – 19% of the total loan amount. While the fees are steep, borrowers like transparency above all else – they know exactly what they are getting into before they take out the loan.
| Origination Fees | No |
| Prepayment Fees | No |
| Late Payment Fees | Yes |
| Maintenance Fees | No |
| Interest Rate | High (6 – 19%) |
| Additional Charges | $20 Return Payment Fee. |
LoanBuilder Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility requirements for LoanBuilder are among the lowest in the short-term lending market. To qualify for a loan from LoanBuilder, you’ll need a minimum credit score of just 550. Applying will not affect your credit, but if you choose to move forward with the loan, the lender will do a hard credit inquiry on your business and personal credit.
Here are 8 ways to build business credit
In addition to your credit score, LoanBuilder will look at your business as a whole, including your time in business and your annual revenue.
You also need to have a UCC 1 filing, which is typically filed with the Secretary of State. It is a standard procedure, and nothing to cause alarm, but it means that the lenders can go after your personal property if you fail to repay the loan. All of this is handled by LoanBuilder and you don’t have to do anything except apply for a loan.
| Minimum Credit Score | 550 |
| Minimum Annual Revenue | $42,000 |
| Minimum Time in Business | 9 Months |
| Minimum Loan Amount | $5,000 |
| Collateral/Lien | UCC 1 Filing |
The LoanBuilder Application Process
LoanBuilder provides only short-term loans, making the application process quick and streamlined. It only takes 5 – 10 minutes to fill out this basic questionnaire.
You’ll know if you’re eligible for a loan within minutes. If so, you’ll complete the rest of the application, submit the required documents, and be funded as fast as the next business day from loan approval.
Required documents may include:
- Personal and business tax returns
- Bank statements
- Business licenses
- Business lease, if applicable
We recommend having these documents on hand to ensure your application is submitted as quickly as possible.
Note: Applicants requiring over $250,000 must call directly to apply.
LoanBuilder Customer Service
Even before the acquisition of Swift Financial by PayPal in 2017, the company was well-recommended for its high standard of customer care. This standard has been maintained and even improved since PayPal took over.
You can easily get in touch with a LoanBuilder representative over the phone for a smooth customer experience. The customer service provided by LoanBuilder is outstanding according to genuine reviews and testimonials, as well as prior expertise demonstrated by Swift Financial LLC.
Its customer service is why LoanBuilder is possibly the best short-term lender on the market right now. It brings transparency and a high standard of care to an industry that has historically been bereft of both.
LoanBuilder Positive Reviews
LoanBuilder has an outstanding rating on TrustPilot of 4.6 out of 5 stars. The positive reviews of LoanBuilder (i.e Swift Financial) on TrustPilot are almost entirely related to the quick and easy approval process with no strings attached. The main advantages cited are:
- Fantastic customer service
- The quick, easy, painless application process
- Transparent terms and conditions
- No hidden fees
LoanBuilder Negative Reviews
You won’t find many negative reviews of LoanBuilder (i.e Swift Financial). Its reputation is exceptional in the short-term lending industry, and it stands head and shoulder above the rest in this regard.
You may find negative reviews of PayPal and its payment processing services, which are not associated with LoanBuilder. These are about the payment processing facilities, not the loan services. LoanBuilder is a unique service, and Swift Financial has an excellent track record. Applicants have little to worry about when seeking a loan with LoanBuilder.
LoanBuilder Perks and Bonuses
Flexibility
LoanBuilder allows you to create your perfect loan with amounts and terms to match what you need. Payments are made weekly directly from your business checking account, but you get to choose the day (it cannot vary, though).
Transparency
As part of the broader PayPal umbrella, LoanBuilder is about as transparent and reputable as it gets. With LoanBuilder, you will not be surprised by any hidden fees, as all of these are clearly disclosed at the outset of the loan. The fees are 6 – 19% of the total loan amount, without any additional fees. This makes LoanBuilder perfect for the short-term lending market, otherwise notorious for hidden charges.
Technology
LoanBuilder offers the following features to make the service more user-friendly:
- The LoanBuilder Configurator Tool: helps you understand what you will be paying. You can adjust your term length to see how it will affect the interest rate before accepting the loan.
- The PayPal Suite: of payment processing tools, including invoicing, loans, analytical tools, and more.
And for privacy, no data is transmitted to third parties and industry-standard encryption is used on all communications.
Final Thoughts
PayPal’s LoanBuilder is one of the most straightforward online loan providers. They offer short-term loans with clear repayment terms and charge just one single fixed fee. The customer service is exceptional, and few (if any) borrowers have run into any problems. The eligibility requirements are easy to satisfy, making it so many small business owners can apply for a short-term loan with LoanBuilder.
