Bizfi

• Large Growth
• Simple Application
• Approval
• National Service

Large Growth

Bizfi has branched out from the short-term funding its founding company MCC provided. In an interview with Crowdfund Insider in 2015, MCC and Bizfi founder Stephen Sheinbaum explained that the company has seen a 79 percent growth in funding provided to small businesses from the second quarter of 2015 versus the second quarter of 2014. The funding options Bizfi offers include lower interest options, such as SBA loans that are backed by the U.S. government. If businesses qualify for funding offers from more than one company, Bizfi shows applicants all of the funders and their funding terms, so business owners can compare payment options before selecting the loan they want.

Simple Application

You apply once for funding through Bizfi and you get a report of what types of funding are available for your business. You use Bizfi's portal to download the funding contract and upload the documents you are required to provide. Once you are approved for funding, you can use Bizfi's portal to view your payment terms, contact your assigned Bizfi funding specialist, and apply for additional funding.

Approval

Bizfi states you can be approved instantly and receive some types of funding in as little as 24 hours. Businesses can receive funding for medium-term loans in 1-2 weeks and for SBA loans in two to four weeks.

National Service

Bizfi is not limited to providing funding to certain states. The company's website also states it has located funding for nearly every type of industry since its parent company was founded in 2005.

• Funding Costs
• Staff Questions
• Limited Information on Loans
• Lack of Education

Funding Costs

In an interview with Forbes, Sheinbaum said Bizfi charges a 3 percent commission for arranging funding, which is added to the cost of the financing, but the funding companies that partner with Bizfi may also charge fees.

Staff Questions

Bizfi also claims to partner applicants with a "funding concierge" who will assist them with selecting a financing option, but there is no information on Bizfi's website about its staff, their level or education, or their experience in the small business financing arena, so business owners cannot be sure they are working with experienced and qualified personnel.

Limited Information On Loans

Before they apply for a loan, customers should be able to access information about the rates and any fees they may be charged when applying for funding through Bizfi. With the scarce information the company includes on its site, it is not possible to determine if Bizfi provides affordable funding sources compared to other online funding marketplaces. Information the company should consider adding to its website includes:

• Interest rates for each type of loan
• Prepayment penalties
• Fees (origination, closing, etc.)

Lack of Education

Bizfi's portal is a good place to include information about how and when businesses should use loans and other forms of credit. Bizfi' could also educate business owners about how their personal credit scores and credit histories can impact their businesses' ability to borrow.