What do I need for commercial or business financing, and how long does it take?

Applies to: United States.

For US commercial or business financing, generally prepare three years of business and personal tax returns and financial records. A startup will need a business plan; the commercial team will confirm which records apply when there is no three-year trading history.

Tell the team whether you are buying an existing business, starting one, buying premises or financing a combined business-and-property acquisition. Include your intended deadline and explain whether the business will own or lease its premises. The documents, investor, collateral and guarantee requirements depend on that scenario.

Use the Commercial Real Estate Document Checklist as a starting point and obtain the checklist for your proposed transaction.

How long should I allow?

Separate the initial application review from financing processing and closing. Some program-specific estimates allow 60–90 days for financing processing, in addition to an initial review that may take several weeks. Other files can take longer.

Before relying on a target date, ask which stages the estimate includes, what must be supplied to start them, and which third-party steps remain. Residential pre-approval estimates do not describe this commercial process.

Can I review the Sharia information?

Yes. Visit the Sharia Compliance and Fatwa page and request the materials for the proposed commercial structure.