Cardiff is a direct lender that offers a variety of business financing options, including commercial cash advances, business credit cards, business lines of credit, and equipment leases. To qualify, you only need a 550 credit score, six months of business experience, and $20,000 in revenue. Applying is easy, and funds arrive in just 24 hours, but the annual percentage rate (APR) is high, so it’s wise to shop around for better terms.
Ideal for: Business owners who have a good credit history and don’t qualify for bank loans.
Pros
- Low credit score requirement of 550
- Daily, weekly, or monthly repayment options
- Only six months of business experience required
Cons
- Factoring rates result in high loan costs
- Short repayment terms of 3 to 24 months
- No positive customer reviews
Is Cardiff legit?
Yes, Cardiff is a legitimate business lender. Founded in 2004, Cardiff has provided over $12 billion in loans to small businesses nationwide. The company maintains industry-standard security measures to protect customer information on its website. It is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has an A+ rating on that platform.
However, there are few customer reviews available online, and most of them are negative, raising concerns about overall borrower satisfaction.
What makes Cardiff shine?
- Fast funding and a simple online application. You can complete the entire process online in just a few minutes and receive funding approval in as little as 24 hours.
- Easy eligibility requirements: You only need to be a legal U.S. resident, have a business that has been in operation for at least six months, a credit score of 550 or higher, a business bank account, and at least $20,000 in monthly income. No collateral is required.
- Flexible loan amounts and repayment options: Apply for loans from $5,000 to $500,000 and make automatic payments through your linked bank account on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
- Reputable: Cardiff is accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating, giving it a reputation and trustworthiness.
Where Cardiff falls short
High cost of borrowing. Cardiff uses a debt-to-income ratio instead of an interest rate, which often results in very high annual percentage rates (APR). For example, a debt-to-income ratio of 1.4 on a $100,000 loan means a total of $140,000 must be repaid. If the loan is repaid within six months, the APR is about 80%, which is much higher than a standard term loan.
No prepayment penalties. The entire amount must be repaid regardless of the repayment date, meaning there are no down payment savings.
Short repayment terms. The maximum term is just 24 months, which offers much less flexibility than other business lenders.
Low loan limits. Cardiff caps financing at $500,000, which may not be enough for larger businesses. If you need a loan of more than $500,000, you’ll have to consider other options like Lendzi or Lendio.
Limited and negative customer reviews. With no Trustpilot profile and mostly negative reviews on BBB, it’s difficult to assess Cardiff’s overall reputation.
Cardiff loan details
How to qualify for Cardiff
Cardiff is primarily known for its cash loans for merchants. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a credit score of 550 or higher
- Be a business owner for at least six months
- Have a monthly income of at least $20,000
- Have a separate business bank account
- Be a legal resident of the United States
- Provide identification
Cardiff also offers business credit cards, business lines of credit, and equipment financing. The requirements for these types of financing are similar to those listed above, but may vary slightly.
How to apply
You can apply for a Cardiff business loan entirely online. Here’s how the process works.
- Complete the application. Get started by filling out Cardiff’s online form with basic information about your business, property, and financing needs. It only takes a few minutes.
- Get pre-approved and review offers. After reviewing your information, Cardiff will provide you with an initial decision and show you the financing options available. You can review the approximate terms, payment schedule, and choose the offer that best suits your business.
- Submit Documents. After initial approval, you will need to upload the required documents, including your business registration documents, driver’s license, bank statements for the last six months, your most recent tax return, and a voided business check. These documents help Cardiff verify your information and confirm your eligibility.
- Link your bank account and receive funds. After accepting the offer, link your business checking account to receive ACH withdrawals. Cardiff deposits the funds directly into that account, usually within 24 hours.
- Pay and Renew. Payments are automatically charged daily, weekly, or monthly. Once you pay off your balance, you may qualify to renew your loan and receive additional capital.
How Cardiff compares to other lenders
What is the Finder Score?
The Finder Score analyzes 12 types of business loans from over 35 lenders. It takes into account interest rates, fees, and product features, as well as the type of loan (such as investor, variable, or fixed rate). This gives you a simple score out of 10.
We compare similar loans to calculate your score. So, if you’re comparing the best loans for startups, you can see how each loan compares to other business loans with the same type, interest rate, and repayment terms.
Read the full analysis
Cardiff reviews and complaints
BBB Accredited: Yes
BBB Rating: A+
BBB Customer Reviews: 1 out of 5 stars, based on 2 reviews
BBB Customer Complaints: 2
Customer reviews verified as of January 7, 2026
Cardiff does not have a Trustpilot profile, but it is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating for providing consistent responses to formal customer complaints. The company has only received two complaints on the BBB website in the last three years.
There are only a few reviews from past customers on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and they are all negative. The company has an average rating of one star. The main complaint is the high cost of the loan and the difficulty of repaying it while covering other business expenses. Other issues include poor communication, unclear loan terms, and short repayment terms.
