Key Takeaways
- Traditional banks primarily originate SBA loans — which E-3 holders can't access
- Most banks have no good non-SBA product for E-3 businesses
- Bankable offers up to $5M in non-SBA capital designed for non-citizen business owners
- Banks are typically cheaper IF you can access their products — E-3 holders can't
- Bankable is faster, more accessible, and specifically designed for E-3 holder situations
The most common first step for E-3 holders seeking business capital is visiting their bank — the institution where they've built their business relationship. The typical outcome: the banker explains that the bank primarily offers SBA loans, SBA loans require 100% US citizen ownership, and therefore they don't have a product to offer you. This is not the banker being unhelpful — it's the structural reality of how most community banks and credit unions are set up to serve small businesses.
Bankable is a different kind of lender — built specifically for the gap that banks can't fill for non-citizen business owners. Here's the honest comparison.
The E-3 Funding Barrier
The SBA's 100% citizen/national ownership rule disqualifies every E-3 holder from government-backed loans — regardless of how long you've been in the US, how profitable your business is, or how strong your credit score is. Banks that primarily originate SBA loans have no viable product to offer you. That's not a reflection of your business quality; it's a policy gap that Bankable was built to bridge.
Revenue-based funding through Bankable requires no green card, no citizenship, and no SBA involvement. What matters: your business generates consistent revenue, has been operating for at least 6 months, and has a US business bank account. That's the core of what we evaluate. Check your Bankability Score to see your options in minutes.
Challenges in This Sector
- Traditional banks primarily originate SBA loans — no viable non-SBA product for E-3 holders
- Bank credit lines require significant personal assets (home equity) as collateral
- Bank business loans for non-citizens have lengthy processing and strict requirements
- Banks don't have E-3 visa-specific expertise — they treat it as a generic risk factor
- Bank relationship managers don't have authority to deviate from standard products
- Non-SBA bank products (where they exist) are typically for businesses with 2+ year history and higher revenue
Funding Solutions for E-3 Holders
- Bank Relationship: Keep your bank relationship for daily banking. Banks are not lenders for E-3 holders — they're banking partners.
- Bankable for Capital: Use Bankable for working capital, growth funding, and equipment financing.
- Honest Cost Comparison: Bankable is more expensive than SBA but available; banks are cheaper but not accessible for E-3 holders.
- Future Planning: When you get permanent residency, revisit your bank for SBA products. Until then, Bankable bridges the gap.
- Combined Strategy: Bank for treasury and payment services; Bankable for lending.
Bank vs. Bankable: The Complete Comparison
| Factor | Your Bank (SBA) | Your Bank (Non-SBA) | Bankable |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-3 Eligible? | No | Rarely | Yes |
| Decision Time | 30–90 days | 2–4 weeks | 48 hours |
| Maximum Amount | $5M | $250K typically | $5M |
| Rate | 8–11% APR | 6–12% APR | 1.15–1.45x factor |
| Collateral | Real estate often required | Significant assets required | General business lien |
| Repayment | Fixed monthly | Fixed monthly | Flexible % of revenue |
| Non-Citizen Accessible? | No | Rarely | Yes — designed for this |
| Application Complexity | Very high | High | Low |
Capital Products Available
Revenue-Based Funding
Up to $5M based on your monthly revenue. No green card, no SBA. 48-hour decisions.
Apply Now →Equipment Financing
Asset-backed funding for equipment — available to non-citizen business owners.
Check Eligibility →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — worth asking. But most banks will tell you directly that they can't serve E-3 holders with their primary lending products.
Yes. Your bank handles daily banking; Bankable handles lending. These are complementary, not competing relationships.
No. Bank declinations don't affect Bankable's assessment. We evaluate your business independently.
For E-3 holders, comparing to bank SBA rates is irrelevant — those products are unavailable. Bankable is the accessible option.
Business checking, payroll processing, payment acceptance, wire transfers, and foreign currency exchange.
When you have a green card and can access SBA products. Until then, Bankable serves the lending function.
Yes. Business credit cards from banks are available to non-citizens and are valuable for building business credit.
Yes. Bankable funds via ACH to your existing US business bank account.
Not necessary. Your bank relationship doesn't significantly affect your Bankable application.
Yes. A strong banking relationship (positive balance history, low overdrafts) supports better SBA loan applications post-green card.