Payroll loans refer to any type of financing that helps businesses cover employee wages during cash flow shortages. This includes term loans, working capital, cash advances, lines of credit, invoice factoring, and more.
There are two primary ways to get a payroll loan for your small business:
- Revenue-based financing company: These financing options are based solely on your business’s revenue. With just a few months of bank statements, funding can often close within 24 to 48 hours.
- Large banks: Traditional banks can take weeks or months to fund. They typically require a 700+ credit score, two years of tax returns, positive profit and loss statements, personal guarantees, no prior liens or judgments, and over two years in business.
Below, we compare revenue-based financing companies and large banks — focusing on closing speed, application process, and documentation requirements.
We’ll also show you how to find reputable business financing providers offering competitive rates and same- or next-day funding. Plus, how Redline Capital’s revenue-based business financing can help you cover payroll quickly with just four months of bank statements.
Reach out to our team and we’ll send over multiple offers that can close within 24 to 48 hours.
Common Types of Small Business Payroll Loans
The three most common types of payroll loans are:
- Working capital or cash advance: Short-term funding options with terms from 3 to 24 months. The loan amount is deposited into your bank account, you can use it to settle payroll, and you make fixed payments until the term is over.
- Business line of credit: Similar to a business credit card, this is a revolving loan that allows you to withdraw funds up to a specified credit limit and repay only what you use. As you repay the borrowed amount, that credit becomes available again.
- Standard 5 to 10-year bank loan: These loans have longer repayment periods and lower interest rates and fees. However, they’re difficult to qualify for and can take several weeks or months to close.
Next, we’ll cover in detail the two main ways you can apply for these payroll financing options: revenue-based financing and traditional bank financing.
Revenue-Based Financing: Same-Day Business Funding with a Simple Application Process
Revenue-based financing approves loans based on your business’s revenue and information gathered from a quick application. It doesn’t require tax returns, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow forecasts, or payroll documentation.
Revenue-based financing companies like Redline Capital only need four months of bank statements.
Because businesses don’t need to submit extensive paperwork, revenue-based financing companies typically close the same day or next, while big banks usually take several weeks to a few months.
Additionally, revenue-based financing companies can lend more than banks because they underwrite based on your monthly revenue — not just credit scores, collateral, or lengthy financial histories. While banks usually cap loans at 50% of monthly revenue, revenue-based lenders can lend as much as 200%.
This makes revenue-based financing a suitable option for small businesses that require quick funds to cover payroll.
Read more: 7 Revenue-Based Financing Companies (How to Choose)
How to Apply for Revenue-Based Financing (with Redline Capital)
- Complete a half-page application detailing how much capital you need and your target closing date and submit four months of bank statements.
- We forward your application to underwriters, run a soft credit check, and send you multiple offers within just a few hours. These offers detail the approved amount, factor rate, APR, and repayment terms.
- Once you agree to the terms, funds are deposited into your business bank account on the same day via ACH. We’ve even closed deals where small business owners needed to meet payroll within a couple of hours.
Eligibility Requirements for Revenue-Based Financing
To qualify for revenue-based business financing with Redline, your business must:
- Generate at least $30K in monthly recurring revenue
- Be based in the U.S.
- Have operated for at least one year
Why Choose Redline Capital?
With over 15 years of experience, Redline Capital specializes in revenue-based financing, helping businesses of all sizes access same-day funding tailored to their business needs — including payroll costs.
We’ve built strong partnerships with top lenders like OnDeck, Credibly, and Rapid Finance, so you can count on us to secure the most competitive terms available.
Our financing options include working capital, business lines of credit, term loans, and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.
We’ve supported small businesses across various industries such as:
- Construction
- Healthcare
- E-commerce and retail
- Restaurants
- Manufacturing and wholesale
- Professional services (law, consulting, financial firms)
- And more
Contact our team, and we’ll deliver multiple financing offers tailored to your business type, loan amount, closing urgency, deposit frequency, and credit history.
Here’s what sets us apart from other revenue-based financing companies:
- We’re brokers, not direct lenders: Working with a broker means faster funding. We deliver a high volume of deals to our lending partners, so our applications get top priority. Individual business applications face lower priority and longer review times.
- We’ve built partnerships with the best lenders: That lets us secure the best terms. Many new brokers can’t access these premium lenders because they don’t meet strict criteria — so they end up working with lower-quality lenders known for expensive, short-term financing.
What Clients Say About Our Lending Process
To hear from more of our customers, check out our case studies page:
Traditional Bank Financing: Funding in 2 Weeks to 3 Months and a Lot of Paperwork
Most banks offer funding options that can be used to meet payroll costs. However, small businesses typically don’t qualify due to stringent requirements. Banks usually ask for:
- 700+ credit score
- Profit and loss statements and balance sheets that follow proper accounting procedures
- Positive annual revenue financials
- No prior liens or judgments
- At least two years of tax returns
- Employee payroll documents
- Accounts receivable paperwork
- Business operation length at least equal to the loan term (e.g., for a five-year loan, you need to have been in business for at least five years)
Even if some businesses qualify for traditional bank financing, many opt for alternatives due to slow closing times. Borrowers should expect a closing timeline ranging from two weeks (if all paperwork is in order) to three months, which is often more realistic.
How to Apply for Payroll Funding at Large Banks
- Schedule an in-person appointment, and the bank will conduct a hard credit check.
- You’ll be asked to provide business financial statements, including payroll reports, bank statements, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and tax returns.
- Complete a formal loan application — through the bank’s portal or in-branch — specifying loan amount, term, and use for payroll expenses.
- The bank underwrites your cash flow, creditworthiness, existing debt, unpaid invoices, and payroll obligations. This can take a few days to several weeks, depending on the loan size.
- If approved, you’ll receive loan terms and legal agreements. Funds are wired to your business account within one to three days after approval.
Best Traditional Banks, Credit Unions & Alternative Lenders for Payroll Financing
- JPMorgan Chase – Offers a range of small-business loans and lines of credit that can be used to finance payroll needs.
- Bank of America – Provides short-term business loans, lines of credit, and cash management tools suited for payroll and unexpected expenses.
- Wells Fargo – Features short- and medium-term business micro-loans, SBA loans, and lines of credit designed to support payroll obligations.
- U.S. Bank – Offers flexible small-business loan products, including working capital loans and longer-term options that can be applied toward payroll, and strong digital banking integrations.
- PNC Bank – Provides higher interest rate unsecured business loans up to $100K and lines of credit that businesses can use for payroll. They also offer loans secured by collateral like real estate at lower interest rates.
- Navy Federal Credit Union – Offers small-business lines of credit and term loans with competitive rates, ideal for covering payroll and short-term operational expenses. Tailored for members of the military community and their families.
- BlueVine – Provides flexible lines of credit up to $250,000 and fast-access working capital loans, making it a strong option for businesses needing quick payroll funding without traditional bank requirements.
- altLINE – A factoring company that helps businesses and startups improve cash flow by advancing funds against unpaid invoices. This can be an effective way to cover payroll when waiting on accounts receivable, especially for service-based or B2B companies.
Qualify for Fast Payroll Financing with Redline Capital
At Redline Capital, you can qualify for payroll financing with just four months of bank statements. We can close in as little as 24 to 48 hours — and when borrowers are under pressure for funding, we’ve even completed deals by the end of the day.
Reach out to our team to learn what rates, terms, and offers you qualify for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Apply for a Payroll Loan for My Small Business?
With a revenue-based financing company like Redline Capital, you can apply for payroll funding with just four months of bank statements. Our financial products can be funded within 24 to 48 hours, making them perfect for covering payroll. With larger banks and online lenders, you’re required to provide a significantly greater number of documents, and the closing process typically takes between two weeks and three months.
What Are the Best Loan Options for Small Businesses?
When small businesses need funding, they usually turn to options like term loans, working capital, business lines of credit, or SBA loans. The one that’s best for you will depend on your business type, the loan amount you’re looking for, your personal credit score, and how quickly you want to close. Reach out to our team for help determining which is best for you.
Can You Use a Small Business Loan for Payroll?
Most small business loans can be used to cover payroll. However, small business loans from large banks tend to be impractical for payroll purposes because they have strict requirements and can take months to be funded. As a result, many small businesses have turned to revenue-based financing. They don’t ask for a lot of paperwork, simply four months of bank statements, and can close in 24 to 48 hours.
How Does a Payroll Loan Work?
This depends on the type of payroll loan you get. But, in general, when you apply and qualify for a payroll loan, the lender will deposit the loan amount into your business bank account. From there, you can withdraw it and pay employee salaries, wages, bonuses, and commissions. You then make monthly payments for the rest of the loan term or in one lump sum.
What is a Payroll Loan?
A payroll loan refers to any type of financing that can be used to cover employee salaries, wages, bonuses, and commissions during periods of cash flow shortage. These include working capital, merchant cash advances, business lines of credit, and term loans.