Small Business Funding in Bakersfield, With Your Credit Ready First
Explore SBA 7(a) loans, term loans, and lines of credit through our lending partner, SmartBiz Bank. Before you apply, our local team helps you review your credit and gather the right documents, in English or Spanish.
Check Your Funding Readiness
Check each item that is true for your business. This quick checklist shows how prepared you are to gather an application. It is not a pre-qualification or a credit decision.
Your checklist answers stay on this page and are not saved or sent anywhere.
Get Your Free Funding Review
Tell us about your business. A local team member will review your information and help you plan your next step, in English or Spanish. This is not a loan application and does not affect your credit.
Step 2: Pick a Time for Your Free Funding Review
After you send the form above, choose a time that works for you. We will review your information with you by phone or at our Bakersfield office.
Paso 2: Elija un horario para su revisión gratuita de financiamiento
Después de enviar el formulario de arriba, elija el horario que más le convenga. Revisaremos su información con usted por teléfono o en nuestra oficina de Bakersfield.
How It Works
Three simple steps, with a local team you can call or visit.
Review
Book a free funding readiness review. We look at your personal credit reports and help you dispute information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable.
Prepare
We help you organize tax returns, bank statements, a debt schedule, and a short description of how you will use the funds.
Apply
When you are ready, you apply with SmartBiz Bank. SmartBiz reviews your application and makes every credit decision.
Loan Options Through SmartBiz Bank
Plain-English summaries of each product. Amounts, terms, and eligibility are set by SmartBiz Bank and may change.
SBA 7(a) Loan
- Established, profitable businesses
- Working capital and equipment
- Refinancing existing business debt
- Real estate purchases or construction
- Buying a business
Term Loan
- Businesses with strong bank balances
- Consolidating short-term loans or MCAs into one payment
- Businesses that do not fit an SBA loan
- Reviewed mainly on bank statement activity
- Some industries are limited or excluded
Line of Credit
- Flexible access to working capital
- Seasonal or uneven cash flow
- Reviewed mainly on bank statement activity
- Short-term loans and MCAs must be consolidated
Compare at a Glance
| Feature | SBA 7(a) Loan | Term Loan | Line of Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | $50,000–$350,000 | $50,000–$300,000 | $50,000–$100,000 |
| Main review | Tax returns, cash flow, and credit | Bank statement activity, plus tax returns on larger loans | Bank statement activity |
| Existing MCAs | Not eligible with an outstanding MCA | Must be consolidated into the loan | Must be consolidated |
| Common use | Working capital, equipment, debt refinance | Debt consolidation, growth | Working capital |
| Restricted | Real estate, construction, business acquisitions, and SBA-ineligible industries | Real estate and logistics; construction limited | Real estate, logistics, and construction |
What You Will Need
Having these ready makes the process faster. We can help you organize them during your free review.
SBA 7(a) & larger term loans Full set
- 2024 and 2025 business tax returns
- Most recent personal tax return
- 2026 profit & loss statement and balance sheet, dated within 90 days
- Last 6 months of statements for every business bank account
- Business debt schedule listing all current business debts
- A short description of how you will use the funds
- Whether you own or rent your home, and your monthly housing payment (when requested)
Smaller term loan & line of credit Short set
- 2025 business tax return
- Last 6 months of statements for every business bank account
- Business debt schedule listing all current business debts
Lenders typically look for healthy average bank balances over the last 6 months for these products.
Is Your Credit Ready?
This is where Maximum Score Builders is different. Most business financing still looks at the owner’s personal credit.
Your personal credit
Lenders commonly review items like:
- Your credit scores
- Late payments and unpaid collections
- Charge-offs, repossessions, and public records
- Recent settlements
We review all three of your credit reports with you and help you dispute information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable. We never promise score increases, deletions, or loan approvals.
Book a Free ReviewYour business credit
A strong business credit profile helps over time. Learn the steps in our guide to building business credit.
Want to see your business credit and financing options in one place? You can check them with Nav.*
Check your personal reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site authorized by federal law.
Protect Your Business
Before you sign any financing offer
- Never pay an upfront fee to get a loan. We never charge you a fee for a funding referral.
- Be careful with merchant cash advances (MCAs). Daily or weekly withdrawals can be very expensive, and an outstanding MCA can make you ineligible for an SBA loan.
- Be wary of “guaranteed approval.” No legitimate lender can guarantee approval before reviewing your application.
- Read every term. Ask about the total cost, payment schedule, and prepayment terms before you sign.
Learn more from the Federal Trade Commission’s small business guidance.
Free Government & Local Resources
Trusted, no-cost help for Kern County business owners. You are always free to compare options.
Why Business Owners Choose Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about our Business Funding Center.
Is Maximum Score Builders a lender?
No. Maximum Score Builders is a credit services organization, not a lender. We refer small business owners to SmartBiz Bank, which reviews applications and makes all credit decisions.
Do you charge a fee for a funding referral?
No. We never charge you a fee for a funding referral. Maximum Score Builders may receive compensation from SmartBiz Bank if a loan is funded.
Can you guarantee I will be approved?
No. Approval is never guaranteed. All loans are subject to SmartBiz Bank’s application, underwriting, and approval.
Do you offer personal loans?
Our SmartBiz referral is for business financing only. If you need help with your personal credit, we can review your reports with you.
Does my personal credit matter for a business loan?
Usually, yes. Most lenders review the personal credit of the business owners. That is why we start with a credit and document review.
What can SBA 7(a) funds be used for?
Through SmartBiz Bank, common uses include working capital, equipment, and refinancing existing business debt. SBA loans through SmartBiz are not available for real estate purchases, construction, or buying a business.
Can I get an SBA loan if I have a merchant cash advance?
An outstanding MCA or factoring line makes a business ineligible for SmartBiz’s SBA loan. A conventional term loan that consolidates the MCA may be an option. SmartBiz Bank decides.
Can you help me in Spanish?
Yes. Our team helps business owners in English and Spanish.
Get Your Business Ready for Funding
Start with a free review of your credit and documents, or explore SmartBiz loan options now.
Disclosures. Maximum Productions LLC, doing business as Maximum Score Builders, is a credit services organization and is not a lender. We do not make credit decisions or loan offers. We refer small business owners to SmartBiz Bank for SBA 7(a) loans, term loans, and lines of credit. All loans are subject to SmartBiz Bank’s application, underwriting, and approval, and approval is not guaranteed. Loan amounts, rates, fees, terms, and eligibility are determined by SmartBiz Bank and may change. We never charge you a fee for a funding referral. Maximum Score Builders may receive compensation from SmartBiz Bank if a loan is funded. SmartBiz Bank is not affiliated with Maximum Score Builders except through its referral partner program.
*Maximum Score Builders may earn a commission if you sign up through some links on this page. Credit services are separate from funding referrals and are provided under a written agreement. We do not guarantee credit score increases, deletions, or loan approvals.