SGF Insights
Business Financing & Capital Structure
Educational resources for business owners navigating SBA loans, commercial real estate, equipment financing, and working capital.
SBA Loans vs. Conventional Loans: Which Fits?
SBA vs. conventional business loans compared on rate, term, down payment, speed, and guarantees — and a simple framework for choosing.
July 18, 2026Read Article →ProgramsSBA Loan Requirements: Do You Qualify in 2026?
What SBA lenders actually require in 2026 — credit, equity injection, ownership rules, and the SOP 50 10 8 changes that reshaped underwriting.
July 18, 2026Read Article →ProgramsSBA Made in America Loan: What Manufacturers Must Know
SBA Made in America loans give manufacturers a 90% guarantee and waived fees through Sept 30, 2026. Who qualifies and how to file before the deadline.
May 8, 2026Read Article →ProgramsSBA Grocery Guarantee Loan: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
The SBA Grocery Guarantee backs food supply chain loans up to $5M at 90%. See who qualifies — farmers to truckers — and how to apply before funds move.
May 8, 2026Read Article →ProgramsMCA Factor Rate vs. Interest Rate: What Owners Must Know
Factor rates hide the true cost of an MCA. Learn how to convert a factor rate to real APR and compare it honestly against loan interest.
April 19, 2026Read Article →ToolsHow to Use a Business Loan Calculator
Get accurate payment estimates from a business loan calculator — the right inputs, what the output misses, and how lenders read the same numbers.
April 19, 2026Read Article →IndustriesWhy Restaurants Need Working Capital — And How to Get It
Rising food costs and seasonal gaps squeeze restaurant cash flow. How to structure the right working capital financing before the pressure hits.
March 28, 2026Read Article →ProgramsTerm Loans for Small Businesses: Structure & How to Qualify
How business term loans are structured, what lenders require, and how to position your file for a clean approval instead of a decline.
March 23, 2026Read Article →ProgramsStartup Financing: True Costs and How to Fund It Right
What startup financing really costs, which programs fund businesses under 2 years old, and how lenders evaluate early-stage borrowers.
March 23, 2026Read Article →ProgramsReal Estate Investor Financing: Flips, Rentals & Development
Fix-and-flip, DSCR rental, and bridge loans compared — how each is structured and how investors get deals funded on deal timelines.
March 23, 2026Read Article →IndustriesHealthcare & Medical Equipment Financing for Practices
Equipment loans, working capital, and SBA programs for medical practices — how to acquire what you need without straining thin margins.
March 23, 2026Read Article →ProgramsFranchise Financing: How to Fund Before You Commit
How lenders evaluate franchise deals, which SBA and conventional programs apply, and how to get funded before the doors open.
March 23, 2026Read Article →EducationWhy Banks Say No: Traditional vs. Alternative Financing
Why banks decline good businesses, what alternative lenders offer instead, and how to choose before pressure forces an expensive decision.
March 23, 2026Read Article →IndustriesHow Restaurants Manage Cash Flow and Access Capital
How restaurant operators structure financing around tight margins, high fixed costs, and seasonal swings — and stay solvent while growing.
March 22, 2026Read Article →ProgramsFix and Flip Financing: What Investors Need to Know
Fix-and-flip loans are underwritten on the deal, not the borrower. How lenders evaluate ARV, draws, and exits — and how to get funded.
March 22, 2026Read Article →ToolsThe FICA Tip Credit: What Restaurant Owners Miss
Most qualifying restaurants leave FICA tip credit money unclaimed. How the §45B credit works, who qualifies, and how much you can recover.
March 22, 2026Read Article →ProgramsEquipment Financing: What Your Business Runs On
How equipment financing preserves working capital, which structures fit your business, and what lenders look for before approving.
March 22, 2026Read Article →IndustriesHow Construction Contractors Fund Growth Between Jobs
Long payment cycles drain contractor cash flow. How experienced construction firms structure financing to keep projects moving and grow.
March 22, 2026Read Article →ProgramsLines of Credit vs. Term Loans: Which Fits Your Business
Lines of credit and term loans solve different problems. The structural difference — and a simple test for which one fits your business.
March 22, 2026Read Article →ProgramsMerchant Cash Advances: True Cost & What Owners Should Know
Merchant cash advances offer fast capital, but the true cost is often misunderstood. Here's what business owners need to evaluate before signing.
March 16, 2026Read Article →ProgramsSBA Loan Approval: A Step-by-Step Guide
The SBA approval process step by step — documentation, underwriting, and how to position your file so lenders say yes the first time.
March 16, 2026Read Article →ProgramsThe Difference Between Asset-Based Lending and Factoring
Asset-based lending and factoring both unlock cash from receivables — but cost, control, and structure differ. Which one fits your business?
November 12, 2024Read Article →