Kabbage Review
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- The Good
- Easy application process
- Instant funding decisions
- Quick access to capital
- Good credit isn't required
- The Bad
- Fees can be high
- No long-term loan options (only six to 12 months)
- Better for short projects instead of complete funding
Kabbage offers lines of credit for inventory, equipment, payroll and other expenses. Decisions are made instantly and funds arrive very quickly, which makes Kabbage very useful for small businesses with short-term cash flow needs. Kabbage is also an option for those with bad credit. Apply for a loan here.
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- Initial Fee Rate
- 1.5% to 10%
- Fee Rate After
- 1%
For Kabbage loans, APR and fees are wide-ranging. They fluctuate based on your credit (especially your personal credit), the number of years you’ve been in business, your annual revenue and other factors. The fee rate averages between 1.5% and 10% of the loan amount, which usually puts the APR somewhere between 24% and 99% once you’ve repaid the loan. For a six-month offer line of credit, the fee in the first two months is higher, then drops to 1%. For a 12-month offer line of credit, the fee in the first six months is higher, then drops to 1%.
- Minimum
- $2,000 to $10,000
- Maximum
- $150,000
The maximum offers lines of credit that can be extended from Kabbage to business owners is $150,000. For many small business owners, this is plenty of capital to have on hand. However, many competitors have higher maximum loan amounts. The minimum offers lines of credit offered by Kabbage is $2,000 for a six-month loan and $10,000 for a 12-month loan. This is lower than many competitors, which makes Kabbage a good option for covering day-to-day expenses and short-term working capital needs.
- Qualifications
- At least 1 year in business
- No set minimum personal credit requirements
- $50,000-plus in annual revenue (or $4,200 over the last 3 months)
- Must have a business bank account
Kabbage doesn’t have set credit requirements. Many competitors are simply unwilling to lend to entrepreneurs with lower credit scores, but Kabbage is. What Kabbage does want to see is proof your business has consistent revenue to service the loan. Also, you don’t have to provide a personal guarantee, so Kabbage can’t come after personal assets. This is something most traditional lenders require.
- Loan Process
- Application
- Business Review
- Funding
Kabbage has streamlined the business loan application process and is much simpler than most competitors. You can literally submit an application within 10 minutes, which makes the company a great option if you need money immediately. First, you fill out a form detailing your company’s information and then create an account. Next, you securely link your revenue data sources and wait for a decision. If approved, Kabbage will tell you how much the line of credit is. You can start transferring funds to your business right away (the money will get there in zero to 3 business days).
- Repayment Terms
- 6- or 12-month loan terms
- No early payment fees
Kabbage’s repayment terms are pretty straightforward. You get either a six- or 12-month line of credit with Kabbage and then make monthly payments over that period. Repayment terms for Kabbage loans are shorter than many competitors. Also, while you can save money by repaying your loan early, you don’t save as much as you would with other online lenders. This is because the fees for Kabbage loans are higher in the early months of repayment.
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There are many new players in the lending industry, which can make it difficult for business owners to know where to turn for funding. Founded in 2008, Kabbage has become known for its products and services, including a streamlined application process, helping it carve out a niche as a quick source of money for businesses when cash flow is a problem. Since Kabbage doesn’t have strict credit requirements, it’s also become a go-to online lender for business owners with poor personal credit.
With that said, you should take time to learn more about Kabbage and its pros and cons before applying and agreeing to a line of credit loan. Here’s all you need to know:
How Does Kabbage Work?
Kabbage has its own unique process and lending model. Here are the details:
Qualifications
To get a Kabbage small business loan, you must have been in business for at least one year. You also must have at least $50,000 in revenue each year or $4,200 on average over the previous three months. Kabbage checks your revenue by having you link your business accounts and payment platforms with its platform.
Kabbage has no strict credit requirements, but most borrowers are over 500. Those with higher credit scores typically enjoy lower fee rates.
The Application
You start by providing your business information and creating an account. Then, you link your business bank account and/or payment platform so Kabbage can analyze your revenue.
After undergoing the automated review, you’ll find out how much capital you can access (if approved). You can then request money be transferred.
Loans and Terms
There are two loan term lengths:
- Six-month line of credit: You can borrow anywhere from $2,000 to $150,000. You pay 1/6 of the principal per month for six months, plus the fee each month.
- 12-month line of credit: You can borrow anywhere from $10,000 to $150,000. You pay 1/12 of the principal per month for 12 months, plus the fee each month.
Note: Kabbage charges a fee (there’s technically no interest rate). The fee ranges from 1.5% to 10%, with the APR typically ranging from 24% to 99%. This can be good to note when you are looking at something like Kabbage vs. OnDeck on how they stack up.
Additionally, since the loan is a line of credit, you only repay what you use. For instance, if Kabbage approves you for $100,000 but you only take out $50,000, you’ll repay $50,000 over a six- or 12-month period. This gives you some added flexibility and the chance to maximize use of the funding.
What Makes Kabbage Stand Out?
Kabbage’s products and services help it stand out as a top small business lender. In its first decade of business, Kabbage provided more than $3 billion in loans to small business owners. Clearly, the company is fulfilling a need for many entrepreneurs across the country.
Specifically, Kabbage does well in the following aspects:
- Ease of application: Applying literally takes only 10 minutes. It’s a great option if time is tight and you need money to run your business now.
- Transparency: Kabbage does a great job of making sure you’re absolutely clear on how much you’re paying in principal and fees each month.
- Quick access to money: Once approved, the money will be in your hands very soon. Sometimes you’ll see the cash on the same day. At most, it will take three business days.
- No strict credit requirements: Obtaining funding is a major problem for entrepreneurs, especially those with poor credit. Kabbage is willing to work with those folks when others aren’t.
Common Reviews of Kabbage
Overall, Kabbage gets mixed reviews from its customers across major sites.
On TrustPilot and Consumer Affairs, Kabbage gets good reviews for its easy application process, fast transfer of funds, and willingness to approve those with bad credit. Others also praise Kabbage for its responsive customer service and making terms and payments clear.
Not all reviews for Kabbage are positive, though. On Credit Karma, folks have complained about Kabbage’s high fees and complicated fee structure. Some complain about customer service not working with them to restructure terms.
Negative reviews aren’t necessarily Kabbage’s fault. Before you agree to a loan, be entirely clear on the repayment terms and how much the line of credit will cost you over time. Make sure you can actually repay the loan first.
Is Kabbage Right for You?
If your credit is excellent, explore options other than Kabbage, as you’ll most likely find better rates and terms. However, if time is tight and you need cash now, Kabbage is an attractive option. Looking at comparisons with other companies, like Kabbage vs. OnDeck, you can see why it is so popular.
If your credit is average or poor, a Kabbage line of credit can be excellent source of funding. As long as you meet the qualifications (years in business and revenue), you’ll probably get at least some access to cash. And, if you repay the loan on time or early, your credit will improve. So, borrowing from Kabbage is actually a good way to build good credit history.
When it comes down to it, borrowing from Kabbage could benefit your business greatly, as long as you understand the terms and can repay the loan on time. The service is especially useful when you urgently need cash, as it can bridge the gap in times of slow cash flow.
Of course, since the cost of borrowing from Kabbage can get high, you want to actually see if it’s advantageous for your company. Crunch the numbers and compare with other options. Then go with the option that works best.
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