Credibly vs OnDeck — who wins for what.

Frequently asked questions

How do Credibly and OnDeck underwrite convenience stores as of 2026-06-30?

Credibly and OnDeck underwrite convenience stores with materially different product structure and pricing as of 2026-06-30. Credibly's $5K – $600K capital range, multi-product framework (MCA + working capital LOC + short-term term loan), 6+ month TIB minimum, 550+ FICO floor, and $15K/mo revenue floor supports c-stores across the operational lifecycle from B-paper to A-paper. OnDeck's $5K – $400K term loan / $6K – $200K LOC capital range, 12+ month TIB minimum, 600+ FICO floor (with realistic underwriting tilt toward 650+ FICO for competitive pricing), and $8K/mo revenue floor fits established A-paper c-store operators needing lump-sum term loan capital. The realistic c-store capital framework for Credibly vs OnDeck: (1) B-paper c-store files (550 – 599 FICO) route to Credibly structurally — OnDeck declines on FICO; (2) A-paper c-store files (650+ FICO, 12+ months TIB) evaluate OnDeck term loan for monthly amortization structure at APR 27 – 40%; (3) Multi-store c-store operators needing $400K+ capital route to Credibly for capital amount; (4) Supplier trade credit via McLane Company, Core-Mark, H.T. Hackney, S. Abraham & Sons at Net 7 – Net 30 (structurally cheaper than either funder for inventory float); (5) SBA 7(a) for c-store acquisition at 11 – 14% APR. C-store industry-specific considerations: cash-handling and skim risk; tobacco regulatory compliance; lottery commission timing; fuel UST/canopy capital cycles; SNAP/WIC participation; alcohol licensing where applicable.

What capital structure makes sense for a 5-year multi-store c-store operator doing $180K/mo with 670 FICO needing $300K for third-store acquisition?

SBA 7(a) is structurally primary for c-store acquisition as of 2026-06-30 with OnDeck term loan and Credibly MCA as parallel options. The realistic multi-store c-store acquisition capital playbook: (1) Route to SBA 7(a) Small Loan as structural primary — file qualifies cleanly (670 FICO above SBA standard 640 minimum, 5 years TIB, $180K/mo revenue). Expected SBA 7(a) offer: $250K – $500K at 11 – 13% APR over 7 – 10 year term for c-store acquisition (real estate inclusion increases SBA loan availability). Materially cheaper than OnDeck term loan or Credibly MCA. SBA timing 60 – 120 days. (2) Evaluate OnDeck term loan as parallel if SBA timing doesn't fit — expected OnDeck offer at 670 FICO: $250K – $400K term loan at APR 27 – 35% over 12 – 24 month term. Monthly amortization structure aligns with c-store cash flow. (3) Credibly MCA as backup if OnDeck declines or for faster timing — expected offer: $250K – $400K MCA at factor 1.20 – 1.28 for 9 – 12 month payback. Effective APR roughly 40 – 60%. (4) Supplier trade credit transfer — third-store acquisition typically includes supplier account transfers from previous owner (McLane, Core-Mark, H.T. Hackney); cultivate supplier relationships in advance of acquisition close. (5) Real estate financing — if acquisition includes real estate consider commercial mortgage at 7 – 9% APR (materially cheaper than working capital financing for real estate portion). (6) C-store acquisition timing — acquisition typically requires 60 – 120 day closing for SBA-financed transactions; conventional financing 30 – 60 day closing; cash + working capital financing 14 – 30 day closing. The realistic recommendation: route to SBA 7(a) for combined acquisition + working capital as structural primary; OnDeck term loan as parallel for monthly amortization structure if SBA timing doesn't fit; Credibly MCA as backup for fastest timing; consider commercial mortgage for real estate portion.

Which is right for a 14-month c-store doing $35K/mo with 595 FICO needing $30K for inventory ramp and cooler repair?

Credibly is structurally primary for this file as of 2026-06-30 because 595 FICO falls below OnDeck's effective competitive-pricing threshold (650+ FICO) and OnDeck likely declines or returns punitive pricing on this B-paper file. The realistic early-stage c-store capital playbook: (1) Route to Credibly as structural primary in this 2-way — file qualifies for Credibly's box (595 FICO above 550 floor, 14 months TIB above 6-month minimum, $35K/mo revenue above $15K floor). Expected Credibly MCA offer: $20K – $35K MCA at factor 1.28 – 1.38 for 6 – 9 month payback reflecting c-store B-paper risk profile. Effective APR roughly 50 – 75%. (2) OnDeck likely declines or returns punitive pricing — 595 FICO is below OnDeck's effective 650+ FICO competitive pricing threshold; even at 600 floor OnDeck term loan at this credit profile pricing typically APR 40 – 60%+ with monthly amortization burden. (3) Route cooler repair portion to equipment financing if structurable — refrigeration equipment financing at 9 – 16% APR for compressor or full walk-in replacement portion. (4) Cultivate supplier trade credit — McLane Company, Core-Mark, H.T. Hackney offer Net 7 – Net 30 terms for established accounts; trade credit reduces inventory ramp capital need. (5) Evaluate Forward Financing, Greenbox Capital as parallel B-paper alternatives. (6) Long-term capital strategy — at 18+ months TIB and FICO rehabilitation toward 650+ pursue OnDeck term loan for monthly amortization structure; at 24+ months consider SBA 7(a). The realistic recommendation: route cooler repair to equipment financing if structurable; route inventory ramp and operational bridge to Credibly MCA as primary; maximize supplier trade credit; evaluate Forward Financing and Greenbox in parallel; plan credit rehabilitation toward OnDeck/SBA eligibility.