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Small business financing guide

Small Business Loan Document Preparation Checklist

A little preparation can make a conversation with a lender easier. Use this list to gather the business records and background information you may be asked about.

Published · Educational editorial

Use this as a preparation aid, not a universal or exhaustive requirement. Requests vary by lender, product, loan size, ownership, and business circumstances. Ask your lender for its current document list.

A lender may ask for fewer, different, or additional records after learning about your business and request. Confirm the current list directly with the lender before sending documents.

Financial records

  • Recent business tax returns. Ask the lender how many years it needs and whether owner returns are also requested.
  • A current profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet, with dates that make the reporting period clear.
  • Cash-flow information or projections that show expected income, expenses, and the ability to make payments.
  • Recent business bank statements for the accounts used in normal operations.
  • A schedule of existing business debts, including balances and regular payments.
  • Accounts receivable and accounts payable reports, when relevant to the business or loan request.

Business information

  • The business’s exact legal name and any DBA or trade names.
  • Entity type, ownership structure, ownership percentages, and information about the owners the lender asks to identify.
  • The EIN or other applicable tax identification details, submitted through the lender’s secure application channel when requested.
  • The date the business started and its time in operation.
  • The amount requested and a clear explanation of how the funds will be used.
  • A business plan or projections when the lender, product, or circumstances call for them.

Identification

  • Current government-issued identification for applicants or owners the lender asks to verify.
  • Owner names and related identity details requested for the application.
  • Any personal financial information or authorizations the lender specifically requests.

Supporting documents

  • Formation documents and ownership records, such as articles, operating agreements, or partnership records.
  • Business licenses and permits relevant to the company’s activities.
  • A current lease or other documents showing the business’s premises, if applicable.
  • Insurance policies or certificates relevant to the business or requested financing.
  • Collateral records, such as titles, asset details, or existing lien information, if collateral is part of the request.
  • Relevant contracts, invoices, purchase quotes, or other evidence showing the intended use of funds.

Protect sensitive information

Do not post tax identification numbers, account details, or copies of personal IDs on a public page or in a public comment. Provide sensitive information only through the lender's secure application channel and only when requested.

Official borrower resources

Check the current guidance

The SBA's resources below relate to its own programs and lender-matching service; they are not requirements for every small business loan. The SBA explains that 7(a) application contents vary with loan size and the lender's process, and that the lender determines which documents are needed for the borrower's circumstances.

  • SBA Lender Match includes preparation guidance for businesses looking to connect with participating SBA lenders.
  • SBA 7(a) loans describes the program and how to apply through a participating lender.

Prepare a cash-flow view

Financial records and projections can help organize a lender conversation. Use our small-business loan cash-flow planning worksheet to map receipts, operating costs, seasonal lows, and existing obligations by period.

Explore a financing path

Start with the application that fits your next step

If you would like to explore our small business loan option, you can review the application and decide whether to continue. An application is not a promise of approval or funding.

Explore our small business loan option

This article is general educational information, not legal, tax, or financial advice, an offer of credit, or a promise that a product is available. Requirements, terms, and approvals vary. Ask the lender about its current requirements and review any loan documents carefully before signing.