• With any business term loan, you’ll pay back the debt along with fees and interest.
• Before you take out any small business loans, you’ll need to know if you can afford to make the monthly loan payments.
• Learn what a monthly payment on $50,000 business loan would look like, factors that impact the cost, the average fees, and more in this guide from Nav’s experts.

The Range of Payments for a $50,000 Business Loan Depends on the Interest Rate and Time

It’s important to know how much a business loan will cost you each month. Like with a personal loan, a business lender will put together an amortization schedule — which is basically a schedule of expected installment loan payments each month — based on the length of the loan. Short-term loans have shorter amortization periods, like 12 or 18 months. Long-term loans might have a repayment schedule of five years or longer. The longer the loan, the less your monthly payment will be since your payments will be spread out over more time. However, you’ll pay more in interest over time with a longer loan.

Your monthly payment also depends on the interest rate or factor rate you’re able to secure. A fixed-rate loan means the rate never changes while a loan with a variable rate can fluctuate.

The range of monthly payments on a $50,000 business loan can start around $1,000 or less per month for a long-term, low-interest loan. For a short-term loan that you’ll have to pay off in one year, you can end up paying over $4,000 each month.

The amount you’ll pay each month also depends on factors like the type of business loan or financing option you choose. You’ll pay different amounts for business lines of credit, SBA 7(a) loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, equipment loans, microloans, or merchant cash advances.

Understanding the total cost of debt — or the total amount you’ll pay — before signing on the dotted line is also essential for every small business owner. This also helps you see the total interest you’ll pay over the life of the loan to evaluate if it’s worth it for you to borrow.

What Are the Main Factors That Affect the Cost of a Small Business Loan?

The cost of a small business loan can be influenced by various factors. Lenders consider these factors to assess the risk associated with lending to a particular business. Here are some of the main factors that can affect the cost of a small business loan:

1. Credit score: Personal and business credit history play a significant role in determining loan eligibility and interest rates. A higher credit score can result in lower interest rates since it suggests a lower risk for the lender. (Learn how to establish business credit in this comprehensive guide.)
2. Business financials: Lenders will scrutinize your business financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Strong financial performance and annual revenue can positively impact the loan terms.
3. Loan amount and term: The amount of money you’re borrowing and the repayment term can affect the interest rate and overall cost. Generally, larger loan amounts may have higher interest rates, and longer terms may result in higher overall interest payments.
4. Type of loan: The type of loan you choose can impact the cost. Interest rates and fees vary between loan types.
5. Collateral: Loans secured by collateral typically have lower interest rates. Collateral provides the lender with a form of security in case your business fails to pay.
6. Industry risk: Some industries are considered riskier than others. Lenders may adjust interest rates based on the perceived risk associated with the specific industry that your business operates in.
7. Time in business: The length of time your business has been in operation can affect loan terms. Established businesses with a proven track record may be seen as less risky by lenders.
8. Purpose of the loan: The intended use of the funds can impact the cost. For example, loans for equipment purchase or real estate may have different terms than loans for working capital.
9. Lender policies: Different lenders have varying criteria and policies. Shopping around and comparing offers from different lenders can help you find the most favorable terms.
10. Economic conditions: The overall economic environment can influence interest rates. During economic downturns, lenders may be more conservative, leading to higher interest rates.
11. Personal guarantees: Lenders may require personal guarantees, especially for small businesses. This means the business owner is personally responsible for repaying the loan if the business fails to do so, which can impact the overall cost.

Understanding these factors and working to strengthen your financial position can improve your chances of securing a small business loan with more favorable terms. It’s important to carefully review loan offers and terms before making a decision.

The Average Interest Rates for a $50,000 Business Loan

The current average interest rates for loans range widely, from a few percentage points to 350% or more. With such a large range, it’s impossible to say exactly what interest rate you could get for a $50,000 business loan.

In broad terms, a business term loan or line of credit usually falls below 10% at the time of writing, while a business cash advance or online loans may be much higher. 

The Average Length of Time for a $50,000 Business Loan

The length of time you’ll borrow money for depends largely on your eligibility and the type of loan you apply for. A short-term loan is borrowed for between one and three years while a long-term loan is usually taken out for between three and 10 years. 

If you’re applying for a bank loan, it’s more likely to fall into the long-term category. Meanwhile, business lines of credit, merchant cash advances, and equipment loans are more likely to have shorter terms. 

Long-Term Business Loan Fees and Costs to Close a $50,000 Business Loan

Long-term business loans can come with various loan fees and costs in addition to the interest you’ll pay on the borrowed amount. Here are some common fees and costs associated with them:

1. Interest rates: The interest rate is the primary cost of borrowing and is expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR). It represents the cost of borrowing over the life of the loan. Rates can be fixed or variable.
2. Origination fees: Some lenders charge an origination fee to cover the cost of processing the loan. This fee is usually calculated as a percentage of the loan amount and is deducted when the funds are disbursed.
3. Application fees: Some lenders may charge an upfront application fee to cover the costs associated with reviewing your loan application. Not all lenders charge application fees.
4. Underwriting fees: Lenders may charge a fee for the underwriting process, which involves assessing your creditworthiness, financial history, and business viability. This fee covers the cost of evaluating and approving the loan.
5. Guarantee fees: For loans backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), there may be guarantee fees. These fees help offset the SBA’s costs in guaranteeing a portion of the loan.
6. Prepayment penalties: Some loans may have prepayment penalties if you repay the loan before the agreed-upon term. These penalties are designed to compensate the lender for the interest income they would have received if you had made payments for the full term.
7. Late payment fees: If you fail to make a payment on time, you may receive late payment fees. It’s crucial to understand the lender’s policy on late payments and the associated costs.

It’s essential to carefully review the terms and conditions of any loan agreement before accepting the funds. Understanding all the associated fees and costs can help you make informed decisions about the long-term financial impact of the loan on your business. 

Comparing options from different lenders using Nav is the easiest way to find the best loan options for your business.

How Hard Is It to Get a $50,000 Business Loan?

Qualifying for a $50,000 business loan can vary in difficulty based on several key factors. Most important is your creditworthiness, both personally and for your business. Higher credit scores generally enhance the likelihood of loan approval and more favorable terms. 

Additionally, lenders assess your business financials, including income statements and cash flow reports, to gauge the financial stability and viability of your venture. Other factors include the length of time your business has been operating, the purpose of the loan, the use of collateral, and the industry in which your business operates. Furthermore, the type of lender you approach — ranging from traditional banks to online lenders or government-backed programs like SBA loans — can significantly impact the approval process.

You’ll need to provide thorough and accurate documentation to have a smooth loan application process. Moreover, market conditions, like economic trends and overall credit availability, may affect your loan eligibility. Considering these factors and exploring various lenders and loan programs can help you navigate the process and increase your chances of getting a $50,000 business loan tailored to your specific needs. 

Typical Payment on a $50,000 Business Loan

The typical payment on a $50,000 business loan depends on several factors, including the interest rate, loan term, and any additional fees associated with the loan.

To get a general idea, let’s consider an example:

• Interest rate (fixed): 7%
• Length: Five-year loan term
• Loan amount: $50,000
• Total monthly payment: Around $990

However, it’s important to note that this is a simplified calculation, and the actual payment may vary based on the specific terms and conditions of the loan.

It’s recommended to use a business loan calculator or consult with the lender to get an accurate estimate based on the interest rate, loan term, and any applicable fees. 

Business Loan Rate Calculator

It’s smart to avoid doing math in your head. Instead, use a business loan rate calculator. 

This type of calculator is a financial tool designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners in estimating the potential costs associated with a business loan. Typically available online through financial websites or lending institutions, these calculators allow users to input key loan details like loan amount, interest rate, and loan term. The calculator then figures out the monthly or annual repayments and provides valuable insights into the financial commitment required for the loan. 

Business loan rate calculators serve as practical resources during the planning and decision-making process for business financing. Using a calculator helps empower borrowers to assess the affordability of a loan, compare different loan options, and make informed financial decisions that align with the specific needs and capabilities of their businesses.