Cardiff Business Loan Review 2025

Working Capital team member
Anna Marie

Editorial Lead

Updated: September 11, 2025

Discover our top choice for small business loans and industry-leading same-day funding.

Our Perspective

Cardiff emerges as a compelling choice in the alternative lending space, particularly for businesses needing swift and substantial financial support. Its streamlined application process and ability to accommodate a variety of credit histories make it an accessible option for many businesses. Updated July 2025. For businesses with a clear repayment strategy and those in urgent need of funding, Cardiff offers practical solutions, blending speed and adaptability in its financial offerings. However, it's still advisable for potential borrowers to carefully consider all terms to ensure Cardiff aligns with their financial needs and capabilities.

Cardiff V2

Apply Now

On Cardiff's Website

Apply Now

On Cardiff's Website

Loan Amounts

$5,000 to $500,000

APR range

6.75%–13%

Minimum Credit Score

550

Pros

  • Loans available up to $500,000, catering to a wide range of financing needs.
  • Streamlined and efficient application process.
  • Swift funding capabilities, often with same-day fund availability.
  • Equipment Financing available for start-up businesses.

Cons

  • Does not offer working capital for start ups.
  • Requires connection to Plaid.

Who Cardiff Is Best For

Frequently Asked Questions about Cardiff

Cardiff is ideal for small business owners who need fast, flexible funding without the traditional red tape. If you’re searching for terms like “apply for working capital,” “get a business loan,” or “merchant cash advance same day funding,” Cardiff is likely a great fit. It’s beneficial for small businesses across industries, including:

  • Auto body businesses seeking auto repair shop financing or small business loans
  • Hospitality businesses applying for hotel, travel agency, or beauty salon business loans or spa equipment financing
  • Landscaping businesses requiring lawn care business loans, equipment financing, or a same-day loan
  • Contractors and construction firms exploring general contractor loans, heavy equipment loans, or construction contract financing
  • Retailers and restaurants needing merchant cash advance same day funding, restaurant line of credit, or retail business loan options
  • Medical and dental practices in search of physician business loans, healthcare practice loans, or working capital loans for doctors

Cardiff supports both short-term business loans and collateral-free working capital loans, making it a go-to option when you need fast unsecured business loans, invoice financing, or equipment financing for industries like landscaping or healthcare.

Cardiff isn’t a great fit for:

  • Startups or pre-revenue businesses without operational history
  • Applicants seeking long-term or low-interest SBA loans
  • Individuals needing personal loans or consumer credit
  • Businesses without a clear funding use case
  • Companies with unresolved bankruptcies or major financial compliance issues

Cardiff focuses on alternative business lending for active, revenue-generating businesses, not personal lending or traditional, long-term financing models.

Cardiff offers a wide range of tailored financing solutions:

  • Working capital loans for restaurants, healthcare, contractors, and more
  • Merchant cash advances with fast approval and same-day funding
  • Business lines of credit, including revenue-based and unsecured options
  • Equipment financing for medical practices, landscaping businesses, and spa upgrades
  • Invoice financing to ease cash flow gaps while waiting on payments

Cardiff has built these to support real-world use cases like restaurant, beauty salon, or auto repair shop financing.

To qualify, you generally need a minimum FICO score of 550, at least 6–12 months in business, a minimum monthly revenue of $10,000, a business bank account, and a clear funding use case.

This makes Cardiff accessible for many who traditional banks otherwise deny.

The online application takes just minutes. You’ll provide basic business, financial, and personal information. If eligible, you can receive an approval decision and funding as fast as 24 hours later.

Cardiff’s repayment terms range from 3 to 24 months, depending on the product. Repayments are typically made daily or weekly via ACH, with options available for short-term working capital loans, business cash advance credit cards, merchant credit card advance loans, and more.

You can access loan amounts ranging from $5,000 to $500,000, suitable for:

  • Equipment upgrades (e.g., a landscaping equipment loan)
  • Seasonal inventory
  • Payroll shortfalls
  • Expansion or marketing
  • Emergency repairs or cash flow gaps

Rates start at a factor rate of 1.17, but you have to apply for exact APR information. As with any loan, check origination and documentation fees, renewal terms for returning customers, and interest-free early payoff options for eligible borrowers.

Review all terms before committing, especially if you compare with business credit line of credit options.

Yes, Cardiff offers renewal loans and allows additional funding depending on your payment history and overall financial health. But always be cautious of over-leveraging, especially if you already manage daily or weekly repayments.

Absolutely. You can use Cardiff loans for a wide range of business needs, including:

  • Purchasing used machinery or upgrading equipment
  • Working capital for restaurant operations
  • Landscaping business loans for seasonal prep
  • Payroll line of credit during slow months
  • Business loans for expansion
  • Invoice financing for small business cash flow relief

Cardiff specializes in high-demand sectors often overlooked by banks:

Medical and Healthcare: medical office financing and medical business loans

Beauty and Wellness: loans for beauty salons and spa equipment financing

Hospitality and Food Service: restaurant cash advance and hotel business loans

Retail: retail store financing and merchant cash advance for retailers

Construction and Landscaping: financing for construction companies and equipment financing for landscaping

Automotive: business loans for auto repair shops

Cardiff’s commitment to speed, simplicity, and personalization makes it different from banks and other lenders. Approval and funding often happen the same day, thanks to a streamlined application process with minimal paperwork.

Unlike traditional lenders, Cardiff offers unsecured business loan options that don’t require collateral. You’ll work with real people, not just algorithms, meaning you get a dedicated funding advisor instead of a chatbot. Plus, Cardiff provides tailored funding solutions designed specifically for industries like salons, restaurants, and medical practices.

The Capital Closeout

If you're saying "I need funding for my business" and want a fast, approachable option with tailored support, Cardiff offers an alternative business lending path that’s faster, more flexible, and more inclusive than traditional banks.

Small Business Lending Comparison Grid

Feature
Cardiff
Traditional Banks
Other Online Lenders
Speed of Funding
Same-day approval and funding are available with most working capital loans and business cash advance options
Slow: Often takes weeks to approve and fund even a simple business loan
Fast, but often requires more documentation and follow-up
Application Process
Streamlined, minimal paperwork. Apply online for a merchant cash advance or working capital loan in minutes
Lengthy forms, in-person visits, and complex documentation requirements
Online, but can be confusing or overly automated with little support
Loan Types Offered
Offers beauty salon loans, auto repair shop financing, restaurant funding, construction contract financing, and more
Limited to standard term loans or SBA loans
Often focused on one product or high-cost short-term loans
Credit Requirements
Works with a range of credit profiles. It's ideal for those seeking unsecured business loans or cash flow lending for businesses
High credit score and collateral are typically required
Varies widely: often uses automated credit scoring
Collateral Needed
Many products are unsecured, including working capital lines of credit and revenue-based business loans
Often requires real estate or hard asset collateral
Some loans are unsecured but with high interest rates
Customer Support
Dedicated reps who understand business loans for medical practice, hospitality, retail, and construction
Limited support: often hard to reach decision-makers
Support is usually via chat or ticket systems only
Funding Use Flexibility
Use funds for expansion, payroll, equipment, or unexpected repairs
Must follow bank use-case restrictions
Sometimes restricted to inventory or marketing only
Who It's Best For
Ideal for businesses needing fast, alternative business lending like beauty salon financing, restaurant loans, or landscaping business loans
Best for established companies with strong credit and long histories
Often targets startups or higher-risk businesses but at premium rates

Fine Print

Cardiff's flexibility in offering additional loans while balancing the debt obligations responsibly. However, businesses must be cautious of accumulating debts. Fees include documentation and origination charges, which can add to the total cost of the loan. Cardiff's renewal policy is designed to support business growth, with flexible options and an interest-free early payoff feature for eligible customers..

Methodology

The review of Cardiff was comprehensive, utilizing 16 data points across various categories like loan details, costs, customer experience, eligibility, and application process. This methodical approach ensures a balanced and thorough evaluation of Cardiff's services in the lending market.