About Frank
Q: What is Frank?
Frank is a free brokerage that connects trades and services operators to traditional bank loans. We package your file, route it to the right bank for your specific deal, and shepherd the application through to closing. We only work with banks. We never broker MCAs, factor-rate products, or anything dressed up to look like a loan that isn't one.
Q: Is Frank a bank?
No. Frank is a brokerage. The actual loan is funded by one of the banks in our network. We do the work of choosing the right bank, packaging your application, and managing the process end-to-end so you don't have to.
Q: Is Frank a marketplace like Lendio?
No. Marketplaces send your application to dozens of lenders simultaneously, and your phone rings for weeks. Frank presents you to the right bank, one bank, one application, one human shopping the deal in your interest. We work with banks only, not the 75+ lender mix Lendio uses (which includes MCA companies).
Q: Who built Frank?
Frank is built by trade-business operators for trade-business operators. We've run the businesses we now help finance. Our underwriting model, the Forward Revenue Score, looks at the metrics banks actually care about for HVAC, GC, landscaping, plumbing, electrical, and roofing operators specifically.
Q: Who is Frank for?
Small businesses, Trades and services operators. HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, GC, landscaping, restoration, solar, pest control, cleaning, septic, masonry, painting — anyone with a crew, a truck, and bigger plans. If you run a service business with $120K+ in annual revenue and at least one year of operating history, Frank is built for you.
$0 Fees. Always
Frank charges you nothing. We only broker traditional bank loans.
Biz2Credit charges $250-$450 in underwriting fees plus 0-8% origination on revenue-based financing, a product structurally similar to an MCA. Frank only works with banks. We don't broker MCAs, RBF, factor-rate products, or anything dressed up to look like a loan that isn't one. Our incentive is closing real bank loans at real bank rates.
Q: How much does Frank cost?
$0. Frank charges borrowers nothing, no application fee, no underwriting fee, no origination fee, no closing fee, no broker fee. We're paid by the bank when your loan closes.
Q: How does Frank make money?
The bank pays Frank a commission when your loan closes. Same model as a real estate agent or a mortgage broker. The bank pays us; you pay nothing.
Q: Doesn't getting paid by the bank mean Frank pushes me toward whatever pays Frank the most?
No. Two reasons. First, we only work with traditional banks, so the products we broker are uniformly vanilla, bank term loans, SBA loans, lines of credit, equipment financing, invoice financing. There's no MCA in the mix paying triple commission. Second, our reputation depends on closed loans that operators actually pay back. Loans we shouldn't have brokered come back to bite us.
Q: Will the bank charge me fees?
Some banks charge their own fees, origination, SBA guarantee fees, closing costs, etc. Those are bank fees, not Frank fees. We surface every fee in writing before you sign anything. No surprises at closing.
Q: Are there any hidden costs?
No. The only costs are the bank's stated fees and your loan's interest rate. Frank doesn't add anything on top.
Q: What's the minimum credit score to qualify?
640 FICO. That said, banks evaluate the whole picture — strong revenue, low debt, long industry experience, and good collateral can sometimes get a borrower with a slightly lower FICO approved. Apply and we'll tell you straight.
Q: How long do I need to be in business?
One year minimum. Banks Frank works with want to see at least 12 months of operating history. If you're under a year, we'll tell you honestly and suggest where to come back when you're ready.
Q: What's the minimum revenue requirement?
$120K annual revenue ($10K/month). Some banks will go lower for the right deal, but $120K is the realistic floor for most bank financing.
Q: Do I need collateral?
Depends on the product. SBA 7(a) loans typically require collateral if you have it (the loan can still close without it for some 7(a) loans). SBA 504 loans use the financed real estate or equipment as collateral. Conventional bank term loans may or may not require collateral depending on size and risk profile. Equipment financing uses the equipment itself.
Q: Will I need a personal guarantee?
For owners with 20%+ equity, almost always yes. Personal guarantees are near-universal on small business loans. Frank can't change that but we can help you understand exactly what you're signing.
Q: What if I have a bankruptcy or arrest record?
Disclosed early, often not disqualifying. Disclosed late, almost always fatal to the deal. The single most important rule: surface everything in week one. Banks pull these records anyway. Tell us first and we work with the bank's underwriter to package the file appropriately.
Q: Can I qualify as a sole proprietor?
Yes. Many banks Frank works with will lend to sole proprietors with proper documentation, especially in trades where sole-proprietor structures are common (landscaping, mobile mechanics, one-truck startups). Some online lenders like Bluevine require LLC/corporation status, Frank doesn't.
Q: What if I have a tax lien?
Existing tax liens are a red flag but not always a deal-killer. Banks want to see a payment plan in place with the IRS or the state. Surface it early so we can address it in the application.
Products & Rates
Q: What products does Frank broker?
Six main products through our bank network:
Bank term loans — from 6% APR
Bank lines of credit — from 7.20% APR
Invoice financing — from 1% per period
Equipment financing — from 6% APR
SBA 7(a) loans — from 9.75% APR
SBA 504 loans (owner-occupied real estate) — from 5% APR
Q: What rates can I actually expect?
It depends on your credit profile, time in business, revenue, and the product. Strong borrowers see the low end of every range. Most operators land in the middle — for example, a 1-year-old HVAC business with $250K in revenue and a 660 FICO would typically see bank term loans around 8-12% APR.
Q: Why is Frank's rate so much lower than OnDeck or Bluevine?
Because Frank works with traditional banks, not online lenders. Online lenders price for speed and accessibility, which means APRs from 30% to 99%. Banks price for risk-adjusted returns on capital, which means APRs from 6% to 15%. Frank closes the speed gap (3-minute pre-approval, 72-hour funding for some products) without giving up the bank rate advantage.
Q: Does Frank do MCAs (merchant cash advances)?
Never. MCAs are the most expensive form of small business financing in the US. Effective APRs commonly exceed 100%. They're priced as factor rates (e.g., "1.4x") which obscures the true cost. Anti-MCA positioning is core to why Frank exists. We don't broker MCAs, RBF, or any factor-rate product.
Q: Does Frank do revenue-based financing?
No. Revenue-based financing (RBF) is structurally an MCA in different vocabulary — daily or weekly withdrawals, factor-rate pricing, opaque true cost. Same reason we don't broker MCAs.
Q: What's the maximum loan size?
$5 million through Frank's network. SBA 7(a) caps at $5M. SBA 504 (the bank portion plus the SBA debenture) can exceed $10M on commercial real estate deals. Conventional bank term loans typically run $25K-$5M. We can sometimes structure larger deals for established operators. If you require more than $5m still get in touch as we may be able to help you
Q: What's the minimum loan size?
$25K. For loans under $25K, the paperwork burden often isn't worth it for either you or the bank. SBA microloans up to $50K are an option for very small needs through nonprofit intermediary lenders.
Application Process
Q: How do I apply?
Click apply on the website. The form takes 3 minutes. We'll come back to you with a pre-approval decision within 3 minutes of submitting.
Q: What documents will I need?
For pre-approval: just basic business information (revenue, time in business, FICO range, what you need the money for). For full underwriting: typically 2 years of business tax returns, 2 years of personal tax returns, last 3 months of business bank statements, and a personal financial statement. Bigger or more complex deals (acquisitions, real estate) require more.
Q: Will applying hurt my credit score?
No. Pre-approval uses a soft credit pull, which doesn't affect your credit score. A hard inquiry only happens once you've decided to move forward with a specific bank's offer.
Q: How long does the application take?
3 minutes for the initial application. 24-48 hours for a full pre-qualification with rate ranges. 1-3 weeks for full underwriting and closing on conventional bank products. 30-90 days for SBA loans (the SBA's process, not Frank's).
Q: Who reviews my application?
A trade-business specialist at Frank reviews your application personally. Not an algorithm. Not a phone tree. One human who looks at your file, identifies which bank in our network is the right fit, packages the application, and submits it.
Q: What happens after I apply?
You'll get a call from a Frank advisor within hours. They'll review your situation, confirm your numbers, and tell you which products and banks make sense for your deal. If you decide to move forward, we package and submit the application. We stay in the loop with the underwriter through closing.
Speed & Funding
Q: How fast can I get money?
Pre-approval in 3 minutes. Funding as fast as 72 hours for some products (typically working capital lines of credit and invoice financing). Bank term loans usually fund in 7-30 days. SBA loans take 30-90 days due to the SBA's own approval process.
Q: Can I really get funded in 72 hours?
For some products, yes. Bank lines of credit and invoice financing can fund in 72 hours when the file is clean and you're responsive on documents. Term loans and SBA loans take longer because the underwriting is deeper.
Q: Why does an SBA loan take 30-90 days?
Because the SBA itself reviews most applications, and that review is slow. SBA preferred lenders can sometimes close in 13-21 days because they have authority to approve without sending each loan to the SBA for review. Frank routes SBA applications to preferred lenders specifically to speed up the timeline.
Q: What slows down a bank loan application?
Almost always the operator. Banks send a document checklist; operators take three weeks to return signed forms. Time kills deals — preparedness equals speed. Frank coaches you through what to expect and helps you respond fast.
Comparisons
Q: Why use Frank instead of going to my bank directly?
Three reasons. First, your bank may not be the right bank for your specific deal. We work with dozens of banks, some are aggressive on equipment financing, some on SBA, some on commercial real estate, some on industries banks usually avoid. Choosing the right bank is half the work. Second, banks reject 55% of SBA applications, often because the file is packaged poorly. We package files that get approved, we package everything up for you. Third, you have a business to run. Let us run the loan process.
Q: Why use Frank instead of OnDeck or Bluevine?
Because Frank gets you to bank rates (6-15% APR) instead of online lender rates (35-99%+ APR). On a $100K loan, that difference is $40,000-$50,000 in your pocket over the loan term. And we match or beat their speed for many products — 3-minute pre-approval, funding in 72 hours.
Q: Why use Frank instead of Lendio?
Because Lendio is a marketplace that sends your application to 75+ lenders, including MCA companies, and your phone rings for weeks. Frank is a focused broker — one application, one human, and we only work with banks.
Q: How is Frank different from Fundera?
Fundera was absorbed into NerdWallet years ago and is now primarily a referral channel for Bluevine's SBA products. Frank is an independent brokerage that places loans with our own bank network — not a referral funnel for one specific online lender.
Q: Will Frank get me a better rate than I can negotiate myself?
Often, yes. We have direct relationships with bank underwriters and we know which banks are aggressive on which products at which moment. We also package files in the format banks prefer, which means fewer underwriting back-and-forths and stronger initial offers. Operators almost always come out ahead by working with a broker who knows the network.
Q: What industries does Frank work with?
Trades and services. The full list: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, residential and commercial construction (GC), landscaping, pool service, pest control, restoration, cleaning, tree service, garage doors, solar, mobile mechanics, junk removal, septic, masonry, painting. If you have a crew and a truck, you're in our wheelhouse.
Q: What if my industry isn't on that list?
We may still be able to help. Other service businesses (medical practices, professional services, retail, food service, transportation) sometimes fit our bank network. Apply and we'll tell you honestly whether we have the right relationships for your industry.
Q: What states does Frank operate in?
All 50 states. Bank availability varies — some banks are regional, some are national — but Frank can route deals nationwide.
Q: Do you work with cannabis businesses?
No. Cannabis remains federally restricted, which makes traditional bank financing nearly impossible. We don't broker cannabis loans. Cannabis-adjacent businesses (CBD, hemp products) face similar challenges depending on the bank.
Q: Do you work with restaurants or hospitality?
We can in some cases, but trades and services are our specialty. If you have a restaurant or hospitality business, apply and we'll tell you whether we have a good bank match.
Q: Who do I make payments to after the loan closes?
The bank, directly. Frank doesn't service loans — once your loan closes, you have a relationship with the bank that funded it. We're available to help if you want a follow-on loan or have questions later, but the loan itself sits with the bank.
Q: Can Frank help me refinance an existing loan?
Yes. We refinance MCA, RBF, OnDeck, Bluevine, Fundbox, and other high-cost balances into bank term loans regularly. Operators often cut their monthly payment in half. Apply and we'll tell you if you qualify for refinancing in your current profile.
Q: Can I get a second loan from Frank later?
Absolutely. Many operators come back for follow-on capital — equipment, expansion, real estate, acquisitions. The relationship grows over time. Some banks reward existing borrowers with better rates on subsequent loans.
Q: What if I have trouble making payments later?
Talk to the bank first — most banks have hardship programs and can sometimes restructure. If you're stuck, talk to Frank too. We've helped operators navigate temporary cash flow problems and avoid default. Acting early is everything.
Q: Can I pay off my loan early?
Most bank loans Frank brokers don't have prepayment penalties. SBA loans don't have prepayment penalties on most programs. Conventional bank term loans may have small prepayment fees in the first 1-3 years — we'll surface that in writing before you sign.
Privacy & Data
Q: What does Frank do with my information?
We use your information to package your loan application and submit it to the bank we've selected for your deal. We don't sell your data. We don't share it with multiple lenders simultaneously. Your information goes to one or two banks where you have a real shot at approval, period.
Q: Will my application be shared with multiple lenders?
Only if necessary. If we present your file to one bank and they decline, we may submit to a second bank — but only with your permission, and only one at a time. Your data is never blasted to dozens of lenders the way marketplaces do it.
Q: Is my data secure?
Yes. We use bank-grade encryption for all data in transit and at rest. Our infrastructure is built to financial industry security standards.
Q: What happens to my information if I don't take a loan?
Your information stays in our system in case you want to come back later — many operators apply once, decide it's not the right time, and return 6-12 months later when conditions change. You can request deletion at any time by emailing us.
Q: Can I opt out of marketing emails?
Yes, every email has an unsubscribe link. We send a small number of newsletter emails (the wealth playbook, podcast notifications, market updates) and you can opt out of any of them at any time.
Still have a question?
Apply for free, no impact to your credit, and a Frank advisor will answer your specific question on the phone within hours.
Let's talk