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Bad Credit Business Loans

  • chBusiness Loans from $5,000 up to $1.5 Million
  • chFast approval, flexible terms. Bad credit accepted
  • chGet offers from Top Business Lenders in Canada
up Last updated

October 10, 2025

up Written by:

Amy Orr

up Reviewed by:

Jenna West

Small businesses all over Canada rely on access to capital to make established businesses grow and prosper. For many small business owners, it can be complicated to get the funds they need quickly and at a decent interest rate.

If you have a poor or bad credit score, it makes it even more difficult to get a secured business loan or get a young business approved for a small business loan.

At Smarter Loans, you can review our list of Canada’s best bad credit small business loan lenders, that will work with you even if you have a bad credit score or business credit card and history too. You can also here at Smarter Loans, and we will connect you with the most suitable bad credit business loan provider for your financing needs.

business loans

Compare Lenders

AMOUNT
$5K - $500k
INTEREST RATE
Varies
TERMS
5 -9 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $1M
INTEREST RATE
5 to 25%
TERMS
6 to 48 months
AMOUNT
$10K - $1.5M
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
3 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $500K
INTEREST RATE
Varies
TERMS
4 - 12 Months
AMOUNT
$10,000 - $300K
INTEREST RATE
From 8.39%
TERMS
3 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $300K
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
Fixed, 4 - 18 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $800K
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
6 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$15K - $1M
INTEREST RATE
From 8%
TERMS
3 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $500K
INTEREST RATE
From 9.99%
TERMS
2 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $500K
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
6 - 24 Months
AMOUNT
$5,000 - $5 Million
INTEREST RATE
Varies
TERMS
12 months
AMOUNT
$5K - $50M
INTEREST RATE
From 7%
TERMS
5 - 96 Months
AMOUNT
$2.5K - $1M
INTEREST RATE
From 7.5%
TERMS
3 - 72 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $2M
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
2 - 36 Months
AMOUNT
$5K - $300K
INTEREST RATE
From 7.99%
TERMS
3 - 12 Months
AMOUNT
$250 - $1M
INTEREST RATE
From 10%
TERMS
3 - 60 Months
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More About Getting a Bad Credit Business Loan


  1. Why is it hard to get a bad credit business loan for a small business?
  2. How do I get a business loan with bad credit? What are the options?
  3. How to rebuild your business credit?
  4. Bad Credit Business Loans FAQ

Bad credit in businesses is a result of previous failures to make payments to creditors on time as agreed upon. These creditors can include banks financial institutions from which a business borrowed loans from, suppliers from where they bought inventory, utility companies which provide water, electricity etc. and/or others. These creditors all report payment histories and patterns to credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian etc.), which then assign the business a credit score between 0 and 100.

Why is it hard to get a bad credit business loan for a small business?


personal credit scorecredit

How do I get a business loan with bad credit? What are the options?


small business loans with bad credit history

Bad Credit Loans:

Private Loans

Merchant Cash Advance:

Merchant Cash Advance

Business Collateral Loans:

Equity Line of Credit

Microbusiness Loans:

Government Loans Canada Wide:

Unsecured Business Loans:

Alternative Lenders

Government of Canada

How to rebuild your business credit?


As noted above, poor credit can represent challenges to business financing. However, this doesn't have to be a permanent feature of your own business plan.

With the right strategies and money management practices, bad credit can be reversed. A few key strategies are listed below:

  1. Make Payments on Time: Timely payments are paramount in repairing poor business credit. Late or missed payments not only negatively impact credit scores but also strain relationships with creditors. Consistently meeting your financial obligations demonstrates fiscal responsibility. In cases where meeting all financial commitments may be challenging, prioritize paying off the largest invoices first. Some credit agencies use a dollar-weighted methodology to calculate credit scores, so addressing substantial debts can have a more significant positive effect.
  2. Negotiate Better Terms with Creditors: If your business requires a certain level of working capital or faces difficulties in servicing creditor payments on time, consider negotiating longer loan terms with your creditors. This can provide temporary relief, ensuring that your credit score remains stable until your business has the necessary funds to meet its obligations.
  3. Lower Utilization Rates: If your business utilizes revolving credit facilities or business credit cards, keep a close eye on the utilization rates. High utilization rates over extended periods can increase the perception of riskiness as a credit candidate. Aim to keep these rates low to maintain a positive business credit score.
  4. Negotiate Payment Terms on Past-Due Accounts: For accounts that have fallen behind schedule, proactive communication with the creditor is essential. Negotiate with them to restructure the debt. While not guaranteed to succeed, such negotiations can provide your business with an opportunity to start afresh with more manageable repayment terms.
  5. Separate Personal and Business Expenses: Mixing personal and business expenses can complicate creditor repayment and credit rebuilding efforts. To facilitate better financial management, ensure clear separation between personal and business expenditures. This separation simplifies record-keeping and supports more transparent credit management.
  6. Consider Getting a Business Loan: Surprisingly, obtaining a business loan can be a strategic move for rebuilding business credit, even if your credit history is less than perfect. Securing a business loan that aligns with your cash flow can demonstrate your commitment and ability to repay debts, gradually improving your credit score over time. However, it's crucial to evaluate your business's current financial situation and avoid adding undue leverage. Whenever possible, opt for loans that are secured when seeking to rebuild credit.

Bad Credit Business Loans FAQ


1) Can you get a small business loan with bad credit?

Yes, it is certainly possible to get a business loan even with a bad credit score, but it will be considerably more challenging.

2) Are certain industries viewed less favourably in bad credit loan applications?

Yes, industries that have a high capital expenditure requirement and intense competition generally are regarded to be more risky than others.

3) What does a lender want to see before advancing a bad credit loan?

Lenders will certainly want to see the business's registration documentation and the owner's ID.

4) Are there bad credit business loans with guaranteed approval?

No, there are no bad credit loans that are absolutely guaranteed.

Expert Review & Editorial Standards

This page was researched, written, and reviewed by financial professionals with expertise in Canadian lending regulations. All information is regularly updated to reflect current rates, terms, and regulatory changes.

Jenna West
Reviewed By

Jenna West

Financial Writer & Content Director

Jenna has covered the Canadian FinTech and consumer lending industry since 2017. She specializes in regulatory updates, consumer protection, and helping Canadians navigate complex financial products.

  • 8+ years analyzing Canadian consumer lending
  • Monitors FCAC and provincial regulatory changes
  • Specializes in personal loans and alternative lending
Amy Orr
Written By

Amy Orr

Financial Content Specialist

Amy is a financial writer with 10+ years covering Canadian, U.S., and U.K. financial markets. She holds a Masters in Finance from the University of Edinburgh Business School and formerly worked in the hedge fund sector.

  • Masters in Finance, University of Edinburgh
  • Former hedge fund professional
  • Published in major financial publications

About Smarter Loans

Canada's independent lending comparison platform since 2016. Trusted by over 2 million Canadians and recognized by the Toronto Star as "the GPS of FinTech Lending." Featured in the National Post and major Canadian publications.

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Every page undergoes research, expert writing, fact-checking, and review by our Financial Content Director. We verify all rates, terms, and regulatory information against official sources including FCAC guidelines and provincial lending regulations.

Last Updated: October 10, 2025 | Next Review: Ongoing monitoring

Awesome G. profile pictureAwesome G.
04:46 26 Feb 25
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Tara H. profile pictureTara H.
16:23 16 Oct 24
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A S. profile pictureA S.
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