Disclosure: Our content isn't financial advice. Do your due diligence and speak to your financial advisor before making any investment decision. We may earn money from products reviewed. (Learn more)

Are you looking for Georgia’s best business loans & startup financing companies? For your small business in the Peach State, many banks, credit unions, and unconventional lenders are offering different loan types. Did you know that 1.2 million small businesses operate in Georgia, representing 99% of the state’s corporate sector? That’s why many lenders operate here.

Understand the unique features and benefits of different loan types to empower your business. That’s how you choose the best lender for your business. Also, look into no-credit equipment financing options if you can’t get a business loan via traditional means. 

Consider these 11 business loans & startup financing options in Georgia to get started. Check our reviews of these lenders to decide which one’s the best option for you:

1. Swoop Funding

Swoop Funding is every Georgia-based small company’s top startup financing option. It will offer entrepreneurs a range of funding solutions to meet their needs. You can access many loan types, including traditional term loans and innovative financing options with a simplified funding process. At Swoop Funding, you can get $5k to $500k as a small business. Moreover, you have to have a credit score of 600+ with the company’s annual revenue being $50k (at least).

Even if it’s been 6 months since you started this business, Swoop will consider your loan application! It is important to talk directly to Swoop’s experts to determine your creditworthiness, though.

2. Metro City Bank

This bank claims the #2 spot on this list because it offers an incredibly high loan amount (on average), i.e., $2.342 million at an incredibly low average rate of interest (4.33%). This lender operates not only in Georgia but in Florida too, offering small businesses much-needed financial support. Loan amounts normally range from $500 to $5 million with repayment terms being 25 years (in most cases). So, get in touch with this lender to expand your small business.

3. Signature Bank of Georgia

The Signature Bank of Georgia is yet another incredible lender for local businesses. You will get ample funding from this lender. However, they offer up to $5 million in funding under both SBA 7(a) and 504 loans. Microloans are another popular option for small businesses. The maximum you can borrow is $50,000, yet the average loan size is only $13,000.

4. SouthState Bank

We’ve previously mentioned this lender. It offers an average interest rate of 5.39%. However, $1.15 million is the average payout approved by the SouthState Bank. On their website, they claim to offer between $50k to $5 million to eligible, credible business owners in funding. Also, this lender has branches in Florida, Virginia, and the two Carolinas. So, get in touch with one of the most prestigious lenders in the Peach State to begin your entrepreneurial journey.

5. Georgia Primary Bank

At the Georgia Primary Bank, you get comprehensive lending services tailored to the unique needs of your business. This lender gives you funds for the following reasons:

• Purchasing a business
• Starting a business
• Purchasing Real Estate
• Purchasing Equipment
• Refinance existing business debt
• Expanding to new locations

You’ll get $5 million to $25 million in funding from the Georgia Primary Bank.

6. Citizens Bank of Georgia

The Citizen Bank of Georgia is yet another amazing lender that helps local businesses get the best financing deals possible. As the name indicates, this lender focuses on startups based in the Peach State. They offer competitive rates that you can count on for business success. Also, they offer a variety of loan types, such as term loans, commercial real estate loans, and even residential construction loans to startup founders.

7. Cadence Bank

At Cadence Bank, the average rate of interest is 5.66% while $782k is the average amount that this lender approved. The history of this bank is very old. It started in 1876. Today, it has several branches across not just Georgia but also Florida, Texas, Missouri, Mississippi, and other states where it helps local startups find ample funding. You also get a variety of options to choose from if you are looking for non-traditional lenders.

8. BankSouth

BankSouth is yet another fantastic lender that lets local businesses get the best lending offers. Their interest rates, terms, loan amounts, and other stats are not explicitly stated on their site. But we can see that they offer the following three loan types to local startups:

• Building financing
• Equipment Financing
• Investment financing
• Loans and lines of credit

9. Bank of Georgia

At the Bank of Georgia, you’ll get different loan types catered to the diverse needs of a small business in the Peach State. As one of the most reliable lenders in this region, the Bank of Georgia offers incredible services with a fast response time. However, the lack of clear-cut info regarding their various loan types is a major reason why this lender is #9 on our list.

10. Cheddar Capital

Cheddar Capital also offers ample funding to Georgia-based businesses. As mentioned before (i.e., in a previous blog), you can get from $5,000 to $500,000 in business cash from this lender. So, contact Cheddar Capital to learn more about their offerings. Check out their nearest location as well.

11. Sunwise Capital

Lastly, we should mention Sunwise Capital here. This generous loan provider caters to the needs of small businesses in various locations, including Georgia. So, when nothing seems to be panning out, you should get in touch with the folks at Sunwise to help you get started. Also, you need to have a business plan ready before contacting these lenders.

Georgia Government Resources

Check out these government resources about business grants/funding and startup financing options in Georgia:

• Newton County Small Business Grant Program
• Small Business Resources in Augusta, GA
• State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
• City of Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program

Top Cities in Georgia for Business Loans

Curious to know which cities or census-designated places (CDPs) in Georgia are the best for business loans & startup financing? If you live in any of these 30 cities, then you can easily access SBA loans or other nontraditional financing means to embark on your entrepreneurial journey:

1. Atlanta
2. Augusta
3. Columbus
4. Savannah
5. Macon
6. Roswell
7. Sandy Springs
8. Athens
9. Covington
10. Albany
11. Johns Creek
12. Peachtree City
13. Valdosta
14. Gainesville
15. Dalton
16. Brunswick
17. Cartersville
18. Canton
19. Kennesaw
20. Duluth
21. Tucker
22. Fayetteville
23. LaGrange
24. Newborn
25. Stockbridge
26. Hinesville
27. Cumming
28. Douglasville
29. Oxford
30. Statesboro

Conclusion

Whether you’re a startup owner or founded a well-established business years ago, you have to choose the right financing partner and lender. That’s how you keep your business vessel afloat and key commercial operations running in Georgia in this economy. 

Now, choose a lender that offers you flexible loan terms and interest rates. Check their online reputation, customer service, interest rates, and other factors. If something needs to be clarified, get in touch with Sophisticated Investor to understand how to get your entrepreneurial dreams funded quickly. That’s how you can take your business to new heights of success.