South End Capital Review 2026: Business Loan Programs and Referral Partner Program
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South End Capital is a division of Stearns Bank N.A. It works two ways: as a direct lender, funding in-house programs from its own balance sheet, and as a financing marketplace that matches borrowers with select third-party lenders. For borrowers, that means one application can surface several options. For brokers and advisors, it means a single partner relationship covers most of what small business clients ask for.
Loan programs at a glance
| Program | Amount | Rates | Terms | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) | $25,000 to $5,000,000 | From WSJ Prime + 0.75% | 5 to 25 years | 650 min, 700+ preferred |
| SBA Working Capital | Up to $350,000 | From WSJ Prime + 0.75% | 5 to 25 years | 650 min, 700+ preferred |
| Equipment Financing | $30,000 to $5,000,000 | From 8.5% | Up to 84 months | No set minimum |
| FAST CAPITAL | $1,000 to $2,000,000 | Alternative rates and factor rates | 3 months to 12 years | No minimum |
| Small Commercial Real Estate | Up to $1,000,000 | From WSJ Prime + 2.0%, 7.0% floor | 5-year term, 25-year amortization | 690+ guarantor |
What stands out for borrowers
- SBA 7(a): no minimum time in business for startups with 700+ credit and strong collateral or experience, franchise financing, up to 100% LTV, and SBA working capital delivered in as little as 2 weeks.
- Equipment financing: new or used equipment from dealers or private sellers, 0% down with 630+ credit, application-only up to $350,000 and same-day funding possible.
- FAST CAPITAL: working capital loans, merchant cash advances, business-purpose HELOCs and credit cards in one place, with no minimum credit score, time in business or revenue.
- Small commercial real estate: no-doc loans up to $500,000 with just a 1-page application and property photos. Low-doc loans run up to $1,000,000. Both allow purchase, refinance or unrestricted cash-out at 50% max LTV. Construction, renovation, primary residences and hospitality are ineligible.
Every program lets borrowers prequalify in minutes with no impact to their credit. Lending covers all 50 states and D.C.
The partner program: how brokers and advisors earn
South End Capital pays approved partners referral fees on funded deals. Partners submit deals through a partner portal or share their own referral links, and South End’s team contacts the client and handles underwriting.
| Program | Partner compensation |
|---|---|
| Equipment Financing | Up to 4% of the initial financing amount |
| Small Commercial Real Estate | Up to 3%, paid by ACH at closing |
| SBA Working Capital | Up to 1.5% |
| SBA 7(a) | Up to 1% |
| FAST CAPITAL | Referral fees on initial and renewal fundings |
Two details matter for partners. On small CRE deals, the fee arrives by ACH at closing, so there is no chasing payment. On FAST CAPITAL, fees apply to renewals as well as the first funding, which builds recurring income from repeat borrowers.
Who it fits: commercial loan brokers, CPAs and bookkeepers, business consultants, equipment dealers, real estate agents and anyone whose clients regularly need capital.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bank-backed lender with a marketplace for harder deals
- Wide range: $1,000 fast capital to $5,000,000 SBA and equipment loans
- Options for bruised credit and startups
- Soft-pull prequalification
Cons
- Small CRE loans cap at 50% LTV and $1,000,000
- No construction or renovation financing on the CRE program
- FAST CAPITAL products cost more than SBA or bank loans
- SBA loans still require full documentation for the best terms
Frequently asked questions
Is South End Capital a direct lender?
Yes and no. It funds some programs from its own balance sheet as a division of Stearns Bank N.A., and it places others with select third-party lenders through its marketplace.
How much do South End Capital partners earn?
Up to 4% on equipment financing, up to 3% on small commercial real estate, up to 1.5% on SBA working capital and up to 1% on SBA 7(a), plus referral fees on FAST CAPITAL initial and renewal fundings.
Does prequalifying affect the borrower’s credit?
No. Prequalification takes minutes and has no credit impact.
LenderTribune is a referral partner of South End Capital and may earn compensation when readers apply for financing or join the partner program through links in this article. Program terms come from South End Capital’s 2026 partner materials and may change.
