After a decline
A decline is one lender's answer. It is not every lender's.
Every lender has its own criteria. When one says no, you have learned about that lender's box, not about your business's worth. We help owners understand what a decline usually means, and where a different kind of lender may be worth exploring.
CSB Advisors is not a lender. We provide financing education and referrals and may provide SBA packaging support where applicable. The participating lender determines eligibility, terms, approval, closing, and funding.
What declines usually mean
Lenders do not all weigh the same things.
Most declines trace to a handful of factors, and different lenders weigh each one differently. A profile outside one lender's criteria can sit inside another's.
Time in business
Many banks want years of history. Other lenders weigh recent performance more heavily than age.
Credit history
A past event that ends one conversation is, at some lenders, a factor to be weighed rather than a wall.
Industry
Every lender keeps a list of industries it avoids. The lists differ, which is the point.
Collateral
Some products lean on collateral, and some, like many working capital products, lean on cash flow instead.
Revenue and cash flow
Thresholds vary widely by lender and by product. One lender's too small is another's core customer.
Documentation
Some declines are really stalls: the file was never completed. Knowing what lenders ask for, before applying, changes that.
What happens here
A second look, honestly framed.
- 01
Tell us the general picture
A short inquiry. No documents, no tax identifiers, nothing a lender would use to underwrite.
- 02
We look across our network
We consider which participating lender's criteria your situation may fit, including lenders whose boxes differ from the one that said no.
- 03
The lender decides
If an introduction makes sense, you apply directly with that lender. It determines eligibility, terms, and the answer.
Said plainly
What we will not tell you.
- We will not tell you that you will be approved, because no one can
- We will not quote rates, amounts, or timelines, because the lender sets them
- Many referrals do not result in funding, and we say so up front
- We are not a lender and we make no credit decisions
- What we offer is a second look across a panel, not a different set of rules
If that sounds fair, tell us the general picture.
Important disclosures
CSB Advisors provides business consulting, financing education, referral services, and, for certain SBA financing, administrative loan-packaging support as an SBA Agent or Packager where applicable. CSB Advisors is not a lender. Participating lenders determine eligibility, perform underwriting, set structure, pricing, rates, collateral, and terms, make approval or decline decisions, prepare loan documents, close, and fund. CSB Advisors does not commit a lender to financing or negotiate lender terms on a borrower's behalf. Financing is subject to the lender's eligibility requirements and approval.
CSB Advisors may receive compensation from participating lending partners for referrals and, where applicable, SBA packaging or Agent services. Compensation is subject to the applicable lender agreement and SBA requirements. Agent compensation and fees are disclosed as required, including on SBA Form 159 when applicable. You are not required to use a lender introduced by CSB Advisors.