Chase vs Citi Business Loans

(March 2025)

S'witty Kiwi Editors
March 23, 2025

Our Verdict

Chase and Citi both offer you competitive options where you access capital to grow your business. Chase wins the trophy if you prefer a financial institution that offers a wide range of business loan products. It offers your business term loans, business lines of credit, SBA loans, equipment financing, and commercial mortgages. Think about Chase’s strong presence in the market and extensive resources, then you understand why it is your attractive choice for your venture’s stability, comprehensive financial solutions, and personalized service.

On the other hand, Citi, another prominent financial institution, offers its own array of business loans tailored to meet your diverse business needs. The financial institution stands out in its creative digital banking solutions which reinforces its business products, including business term loans, business lines of credit, SBA loans, commercial real estate loans, and credit cards.

Ultimately, you still need to consider several factors—specific needs of the business, loan terms and amounts, interest rates, repayment flexibility, and customer service expectations—before you choose your ideal partner between Chase and Citi. Generally, Chase offers better flexibility and robust products where you can choose the best alternative for your venture’s needs.

Why Choose Chase Business Loan

Who Chase Business Loan Is Best For?

Partner with Chase for your business financing needs if you’re someone who:

Runs small business and in need of financing for various needs.
Wants to start a new business or expand an existing one.
Has a reputable credit history and strong financials.
Seeks competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms.
Requires working capital to manage cash flow or cover operational expenses.
Needs funds for purchasing equipment, inventory, or real estate.
Wants to consolidate debt or refinance existing loans.

Who Chase Business Loan Isn't Best For?

Think of other alternatives if you:

Have poor credit history.
Run a startup business without a solid business plan or history.
Lack consistent or stable cash flow.
Incur existing debt and financial obligations.
Have little to no sufficient collateral or assets for security.
Possess no clear repayment plan or strategy.
Show unusual reliance on debt financing and struggle to meet your obligations.

Why Choose Citi Business Loans

Who Citi Business Loans Is Best For?

Embrace Citi business loans if you’re an entrepreneur who:

Has a strong business history.
Maintains steady and predictable cash flow.
Runs an enterprise that poses minimal risk and has stable market conditions.
Has a stellar credit history.
Seeks financing for expansion or growth initiatives.
Has sufficient collateral or assets for security.
Manages a venture with a history of profitability.
Meets Citi’s eligibility criteria and requirements.

Who Citi Business Loans Isn't Best For?

Explore other business loan options if you:

Oversee a business with limited revenue or cash flow.
Have poor business and personal credit history or low credit scores.

Chase vs. Citi Business Loans: Main Differences

	Chase Business Loans	Citi Business Loans
Ideal For	Making equipment and machinery purchases. Clearing commercial real estate costs. Funding business expansion and growth initiatives. Working capital and operational expenses Marketing and advertising campaigns Making business acquisitions or mergers Renovating existing facilities Hiring and training employees	Purchasing office furniture and fixtures. Funding technology and software upgrades. Completing renovation or expansion of business. Marketing and advertising campaigns Paying employees Working capital needs. Consolidating debt and refinancing
Pricing	Business line of credit. This is a revolving credit that allows you to reuse and repay the line of credit as often as you like. The credit lines are up to $500,000 with a five-year revolving period and a five-year repayment term. Small business loans. Here, you get a lump-sum funding that you can use for investments in your small enterprise. Apply up to $500,000 with monthly instalment repayments and typically terms up to five years. You make no origination fee but incur a certain prepayment fee for any amount greater than $250,000. Commercial Real Estate Financing. Consider this term loan if you’re ready to secure it by a lien on commercial property. You enjoy terms up to 25 years and make payments according to the amount you borrow, along with any interest you accrue on the loan. Pay back the loan in multiple equal payments if you like, or with a balloon payment at the end of the term. SBA loans. The commercial institution is an SBA preferred lender, making it the right route to getting an SBA loan up to $5,000,000.	Business instalment loans. With these traditional term loans, you get fixed rates and terms up to seven years. You can borrow from $5,000 to $5 million for various business purposes, such as purchasing equipment, vehicles, or inventory. Business line of credit. Consider these revolving credit lines to access funds as you require for working capital, cash flow, or inventory management. You can borrow from $10,000 to $250,000, and up to $5 million if you run a larger business. The rates are variable and based on the prime rate plus a margin. Commercial mortgages. If your venture needs to purchase or refinance a business facility, think about this product. You can get anything from $250,000 to $5 million, with both variable and fixed rate options. The terms range from five to 20 years, and the loan-to-value ratio can be up to 80%. SBA loans. Surprisingly, Citi is also an SBA preferred lender. Get up to a $5,000,000 SBA loan.
Standout Features	Offers competitive interest rates. Provides flexible loan terms. Runs a quick and efficient application process. Makes a wide range of loan amounts available. Projects different loan options to meet unique needs. Offers a top-notch customer support. Runs an active online account management. Allows you to finance large-scale projects or investments Offers potential for additional banking services and products for business customers. Allows access to business expertise and resources from Chase’s network.	Offers fair interest rates. Gives access to a wide range of loan amounts. Makes allowance for both secured and unsecured business loans. Allows you to finance various business needs. Runs online account management Offers a potential for discounted rates, especially if you’re an existing Citibank customer.

Chase vs. Citi Business Loans: Standout Features

Chase business loans

Competitive rates and terms. If you want to save money on interest and repay your loan more easily, consider Chase’s business loans. Thanks to Chase’s terms and rates friendliness, you can exercise more control and convenience over your cash flow and financing needs. However, both rates and terms also come with some risks and responsibilities, such as keeping track of your balance, payments, and fees.
Flexible financing options. Access a variety of business loan products from Chase, including business lines of credit, business term loans, commercial real estate financing, and SBA loans.
Streamlined application and approval process. Apply for Chase business loans seamlessly. Submit your application in person at a local branch with the help of a specialist who can guide you through the process and answer your questions. Provide basic information about your business, such as your name, address, phone number, email, tax ID, annual revenue, and time in business. Provide financial documents, such as your business bank statements, tax returns, balance sheet, income statement, and personal financial statement. Get a decision within days or weeks, depending on the type and size of the loan you are applying for.
Access to a wide range of loan amounts. Apply for a business line of credit starting from $10,000 up to $500,000, depending on your creditworthiness and business performance. Alternatively, you can consider Chase’s business term loans where you get up to $500,000. Remember, the amount you attract has a lot to do with your creditworthiness. If your business needs to purchase real estate, feel free to apply for a Chase commercial real estate financing loan up to $25 million, depending on the value and condition of the property and your creditworthiness.

Citi business loans

Flexible repayment options. Enjoy the liberty of choosing how you repay your debt. Choose from variable or fixed rates for your loan or line of credit, which can affect your monthly payments and the total cost of borrowing. Note that variable rates can change depending on the market conditions and the prime rate, while fixed rates remain the same throughout the term of the loan or line of credit.
Plus, you can choose from short or long terms for your loan or line of credit, which affects your monthly payments and the total cost of borrowing. Shorter terms can lower your interest costs but increase your monthly payments, while longer terms can lower your monthly payments but increase your interest costs.
Range of business needs. Use Citi business loans for a variety of purposes, including equipment purchases, working capital, inventory financing, expansion projects, and more. With this versatility, your venture meets its unique financial requirements.
Wide range of loan amounts: Explore Citi’s business loans in order to access a diverse range of loan amounts—so that you’re able to secure suitable financing that meets your business needs, whether it’s a small amount or a larger capital.

Pros and Cons of Chase Business Loans

Offers a wide range of loan amounts, from $5,000 to $5 million, to suit different business needs and sizes.
Gives competitive and flexible interest rates and terms, such as variable or fixed rates, revolving credit, optional draw periods, and potential to renew thereafter.
Allows multiple types of business loans, such as business lines of credit, term loans, commercial real estate financing, and SBA loans, to suit your venture’s financial purposes and goals.
Runs online and mobile banking tools and resources, such as online bill pay, automatic transfers, Chase QuickDeposit℠, Zelle® money transfers, and more, to help you manage your loan and your business finances.
Provides dedicated support from its business banking experts, who can help you choose the best loan option for your business, guide you through the application process, and answer your questions.

Has strict eligibility requirements, such as a minimum credit score of 700, a minimum annual revenue of $100,000, and a minimum time in business of two years.
Charges monthly service fees for business lines of credit unless you meet certain criteria.
Imposes prepayment fees for loans greater than $250,000.
Has limited branch locations in six urban areas of the US. You have to apply in person at a branch, so if you live outside of those zones, Chase’s business loans may not work for you.
Provides very few details online about its business loans, such as credit requirements, rates, or fees. You have to contact a specialist to get more information.

Pros and Cons of Citi Business Loans

Offers competitive interest rates.
Allows flexible repayment options.
Gives a wide range of loan amounts.
Is in meeting various business needs.
Runs online account management.
Offers potential discounts for existing customers.

Requires strict eligibility requirements, including a good to excellent credit score.
Offers interest rates based on creditworthiness.
Demands additional documentation and paperwork.
Imposes repayment penalties.
Offers access to business loans based on location and business type.

Chase vs. Citi Business Loans: Customer Reviews

Celebrate Chase when it comes to positive customer reviews. Chase receives a high rating of 4.1 stars based on 5,904 customer reviews on TrustPilot. Customers express satisfaction with Chase, praising the institution for providing products that meet their needs, maintaining an excellent customer service team, and offering a user-friendly and efficient mobile application.

In contrast, Citibank has a low rating of 1.2 stars based on 284 customer reviews. Customers who express dissatisfaction with Citibank raise concerns about unfair practices and poor customer service.

It is important to note that these customer reviews reflect the overall banking services of both institutions and are not solely about their business loan products.

Chase and Citi Business Loans Competitors

PNC Bank business loans

PNC Bank business loans are your financing options if you run a small enterprise and need to borrow money for various purposes, such as purchasing equipment, machinery, vehicles, or real estate, or meeting specific financing needs.

It offers different types of business loans, such as: Unsecured small business loan (with loan amount ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 and the term is between 2 and 5 years); Secured small business loan (with loan amount oscillating from $100,001 to $3 million and the term is between 2 and 7 years); Commercial real estate loan (loan amount ranges from $100,001 to $3 million and the term is between 5 and 15 years, with up to a 25 year amortization); and Secured vehicle finance loan (loan amount starting from $10,000 and capping at $250,000 and the term is between 2 and 6 years).

Feel free to compare what PNC Bank offers and check its qualification requirements in order to know your eligibility status.

TD Bank business loans

TD Bank is another option to get funding for your business. It caters for various purposes, such as working capital, equipment, real estate, or expansion. If your business engages in foreign transactions, TD Bank offers a special business loan it calls Global Trade Finance. With this option, you get export financing, import financing, letters of credit, documentary collections, foreign exchange services, and more. Read the bank’s business loans terms and qualification requirements before you apply for any of its products.

Pro Tips

A business loan can be the meaningful change for your business. To boost your eligibility status and get the amount you require, don’t forget to:

Prepare a comprehensive business plan outlining your goals, financial projections, and how you intend to use the loan.
Ensure your personal and business credit scores are in decent shape.
Gather all necessary financial documents, such as tax returns, bank statements, and financial statements.
Research and compare loan options from multiple lenders to find the best terms and rates.
Consider collaborating with a financial advisor or accountant who can guide you through the loan application process.
Review the loan agreement thoroughly before signing and seek legal advice if needed.
Make sure you have a repayment plan in place to ensure timely loan repayment.
Maintain good financial records and demonstrate responsible monetary management to improve your chances of future loan approvals.

Recap

Chase and Citi both offer competitive business loans. Chase provides a range of financing options, including term loans and lines of credit, while Citi offers business loans and lines of credit with flexible terms. Feel free to compare rates, terms, and eligibility requirements to find the best fit for your need.