Updated 6/1/21: The PPP loan application portal is closed. PPP applications are no longer being accepted. For more information on other grants, loans and programs available to small businesses, please see these articles:
30+ Grants, Loans and Programs to Benefit Your Small Business
A Practical Guide to Funding Your Small Business with Business Loans
For more on stimulus aid still available, see our main story here.
One of the biggest ways the federal government has attempted to aid small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic was the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which helps businesses secure forgivable loans and keep workers employed. The original $349 billion in funding for PPP, which was allocated by Congress as part of the CARES Act, ran out of money but $320 billion in new funding was approved in April.
While traditional banks were originally the only lenders offering access to PPP loans to small businesses, fintech (financial technology) companies have now also been approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to accept applications and facilitate loans. These fintech companies have a role to play by helping small businesses that may not have an established lending relationship with a large bank, community bank or credit union.
Here are eight innovative fintech companies now offering PPP loans to small businesses, as well as several fintech firms that can help you apply for PPP loans.
BlueVine
BlueVine, an online lender that has processed more than $3 billion in loans since its founding in 2013, has begun accepting PPP applications. On top of a swift application process, BlueVine says it has “experienced advisors” on hand to answer questions and help with the application.
Credibly
Since its founding in 2010, Credibly has issued more than $1 billion in loans to small and medium-sized businesses around the United States. Credibly claims it has simplified the process and only takes “minutes” to apply for a PPP loan application using its platform. It also said it has facilitated more than $500 million in PPP loans to date.
Funding Circle
Funding Circle, one of the largest online lenders, has provided more than $11 billion in loans to 81,000 businesses worldwide since its founding. The company is now accepting PPP loan applications and helping provide those loans to small businesses, adding to its already large portfolio. It has also created an easy-to-digest PPP guide that includes a calculator and walk-through of the process.
Intuit QuickBooks
Intuit QuickBooks, which is best known for its ubiquitous accounting and payroll software, is accepting PPP loan applications for current customers. Small businesses that are either Payroll customers or QuickBooks Self-Employed customers who filed 2019 taxes with TurboTax Self-Employed can apply and receive a PPP loan from QuickBooks Capital.
PayPal, one of the largest fintech firms in the world, was one of the first companies of its kind to offer access to PPP loans.
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OnDeck
OnDeck, the largest U.S.-based online small business lender, has issued more than $13 billion in loans to over 100,000 since its founding in 2017. The company has recently begun accepting applications for the PPP loan program. The company also created a COVID-19 hub, which includes information on PPP loans, EIDL loans, local and state assistance options, and other resources for navigating the coronavirus pandemic.
PayPal
PayPal, one of the largest fintech firms in the world, was one of the first companies of its kind to offer access to PPP loans. The company’s initiative has been primarily set up to help current PayPal merchants, but non-merchants can also apply through their portal.
Ready Capital
Ready Capital, a real estate and small business lender that has issued more than $3 billion in loans in the U.S., is yet another large player helping small businesses with PPP loans. As of this writing, the company is backlogged with PPP applications, but it may take new applications soon.
Square
Square, which has been providing various payment and business tools to small businesses for years, was an early fintech company to begin offering access to PPP loans. However, the company is focused primarily on helping Square sellers first with PPP loan applications before accepting non-sellers later.
Other fintech companies helping businesses with PPP applications
On a final note, a handful of fintech companies are assisting with the preparation of PPP applications and then sending those applications to partner banks that are SBA-approved. These fintech companies may be worth checking out if any of the above lenders are unable to help or are overloaded with requests:
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