A limit to support cash flow
A business credit line is a limit from which a company draws money as needed and pays interest only on the part used. It suits seasonal swings and bridging invoice payment terms. Some lenders quote the price as a monthly rate; for annual comparison the figure is multiplied by twelve. We make the conversion in the table and note it in the product details.
The consumer-credit interest cap does not apply to business credit. The price can therefore be agreed more freely, and the terms deserve careful reading: the set-up fee, monthly fees and any charge on an unused limit all belong to the total price.
The market right now
We track 2 products from 2 lenders. 1 products (50%) publish a rate; for the rest the price is negotiable or not published.
The published "rate from" ranges from 12.00% to 12.00%, with a median of 12.00%.
Data updated automatically.
Example calculation
What a 20,000 € loan over 1 y costs at different rate levels (annuity, excluding opening and monthly fees).
| Rate | Monthly payment | Total interest | You repay in total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest published rate | 12.00% | 1,777 € | 1,324 € | 21,324 € |
| Median rate | 12.00% | 1,777 € | 1,324 € | 21,324 € |
| Highest published rate | 12.00% | 1,777 € | 1,324 € | 21,324 € |
Indicative. The actual cost depends on the lender’s pricing, fees and repayment method.
The idea of a business credit line
A business credit line is an agreed limit from which the company draws money as needed and pays interest only on the part used. It suits seasonal swings, bridging invoice payment terms and unexpected costs.
Monthly rate and annual rate
Some products state the price as a monthly rate. For annual comparison the figure is multiplied by twelve, so a 1.00% monthly rate corresponds to a nominal annual rate of about 12%. On top of that come the set-up fee, monthly fees and any charges on the unused limit.
When a credit line is not the right solution
If a company uses the line permanently, this is a structural funding need, for which a term loan or invoice financing fits better. A credit line is meant as flexibility, not as permanent capital.
Ask the lender
- What is the set-up fee and is a monthly fee charged on the unused limit.
- Can the limit be raised or reduced mid-contract.
- What collateral and guarantees are required.
- How is the bill settled and what follows a delay.
Using the limit in practice
A company should use the limit for temporary needs and bring it back to zero regularly. If the limit is in constant use, this is a permanent funding need for which a term loan is clearer. Follow monthly how much interest and cost is paid on the limit.
The lender’s assessment
The lender assesses the company’s turnover, profitability, age and credit data. With smaller lenders a decision can come quickly online, whereas a bank’s process is often slower but can offer a lower price. Ask several providers for offers.
How a business credit line differs from a business loan
A business credit line is a limit granted to the company from which it can draw money as needed and repay flexibly. Interest is usually paid only on the amount drawn. In a business loan the whole sum is drawn at once and repaid on an agreed schedule. A credit line suits smoothing seasonal swings and unexpected expenses, a loan suits large one-off investments.
Validity of the limit
A credit limit is usually granted for a fixed period, and the agreement is renewed or ended when it expires. The lender may reassess the company’s situation, so continuation of the limit is not guaranteed.
Collateral and guarantees
A business credit line can be unsecured or secured, and a personal guarantee may be requested from the entrepreneur. A personal guarantee ties the entrepreneur’s own assets, so assess the risk of the commitment before signing.
The parts of the price
The price of a business credit line can include interest on the amount drawn, a possible commitment fee on the unused limit, an opening fee and an account fee. When the credit is used only occasionally, fixed fees weigh more than the interest. Work out the annual cost in two ways: with typical use and with peak use.
- Is there a commitment fee on the unused part?
- What are the reference rate and margin, and when is the rate reviewed?
- Can the limit be cancelled or reduced during the term?
When a business credit line suits
A business credit line suits a company whose cash flow varies or that has temporary working-capital needs. It suits less for permanent financing, because the limit can be reassessed. Compare also a business loan, invoice financing and leasing, and see all business finance lenders.
Lenders in brief: business credit line
Business credit line is a credit limit available to a company for working capital. Below, every lender we track has its own short profile. For each you see the published price, any margin, the amount and term, and a link to the lender’s profile. Order: by published rate from lowest to highest, unpriced last; data as of 07/10/2026.
Svea Bank – business credit line
Bank branch: published rate from 12.00%; amount 5,000 € – 500,000 €. Appears in the Finanssivalvonta register of supervised entities. Read more: Svea Bank.
Kasvurahoitus – business credit line
Lender: price negotiable / not published; amount up to 50,000 €. Appears in the Finanssivalvonta register of supervised entities. Read more: Kasvurahoitus.
Banks and other lenders: how the difference shows
Banks and non-bank lenders price business credit line differently, so we separate them. The table shows the range of published rates for each group.
| Group | Products | Lowest | Median | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banks | 1 | 12.00% | 12.00% | 12.00% |
| Finance companies and others | 1 | – | – | – |
The gap between the group medians is 12.00% points. It partly reflects the funding source and risk appetite: a bank funds loans with deposits, a finance company from other sources, and pricing is based on the applicant’s risk. More on the groups: banks and finance companies.
How to read the business credit line table
The table is made for comparison, but the figures need interpreting. The following three points help you avoid the most common misreadings.
Starting rate and your own rate
The rate in the table is the starting price or low end of a range the lender publishes. In business finance the price depends on the size of the company, its sector, collateral and ability to pay, so your own price can be clearly higher. Use the figure as a starting point, not as an offer.
Margin and reference rate
If the table shows a margin and Euribor, the total rate is their sum. Euribor changes, so the monthly payment can change during the term. The margin is the bank’s own share and often stays the same. In a fixed-rate product the rate does not change during the contract period.
Amount and term
Amount and term limits show what need the product was designed for. If the amount you need is outside the limits the product does not fit, even if its rate is lowest. Lengthening the term lowers the payment but raises interest costs; test the options in the calculator.
Requirements for the applicant
The terms of business finance vary by lender and are stated on the product’s own pages. Typically the lender looks at the company’s trading history, turnover, profitability, collateral and the entrepreneur’s background.
Company details
Be ready to provide financial statements or recent financial data, tax matters and, where needed, a business plan. A new company has fewer options, and guarantees from the state financier Finnvera can help.
Collateral and guarantors
According to our data the business credit line products we track are mostly not secured. Collateral lowers the lender’s risk and usually the rate, but you can lose it if payments are missed. A personal guarantee from the entrepreneur also ties the entrepreneur’s own assets.
Pros and cons of business credit line
Advantages
- Financing can be fitted to the company’s need and cash flow.
- Prices and terms can be compared before contacting a lender.
- Banks, finance companies and the state financier are side by side.
Drawbacks
- The price is often negotiable and cannot be compared before contact.
- Collateral and personal guarantees can tie the entrepreneur’s own assets.
- The consumer-credit rate caps do not cover business finance.
What makes up the price of business credit line
The price is not only the rate. In business finance the price can include interest or a financing fee, an opening fee, an account or invoicing fee, collateral costs and possible early-repayment costs. On a small amount over a short term fixed fees raise the total cost more than the rate does. The total cost in euros says more than the monthly payment.
Common mistakes when comparing business credit line
Comparing only the monthly payment
A small payment can mean a long term and large interest costs. Always compare the total cost and the annual percentage rate.
Treating the published rate as your own
The published rate is a starting price. The lender sets the final rate from the applicant’s information, and it can be higher.
Forgetting rate risk
On a Euribor-linked business credit line the payment can rise if the reference rate rises. Check whether your finances cope with a two-percentage-point rise; the calculator shows the effect.
When business credit line is not the right solution
Business credit line does not fit every need. If you need an amount that exceeds the product limits, or the purpose is quite different, compare other categories: business loan, invoice financing, leasing or crowdfunding. If you already have payment difficulties new credit rarely solves the problem; contact debt counselling.
Compare other product categories
- Business loan: 15 products, no prices published.
- Invoice financing: 3 products, no prices published.
- Leasing: 1 products, no prices published.
- Crowdfunding: 1 products, no prices published.
By group: banks, finance companies and others, business loans and all lenders.
Checklist before applying
- I know the amount and term I need and have calculated the monthly payment.
- I have compared at least three lenders and looked at the annual percentage rate or the total cost.
- The lender is registered or supervised (Finanssivalvonta register).
- I have read the pre-contract information and the agreement in full.
- I can cope with a rate rise if the loan is Euribor-linked.
- I do not pay anything in advance before the money is in my account.
Example: how the term affects the price
The table shows how the term affects the monthly payment and interest costs of a 50,000 € loan when the rate is the median 12.00% of the category’s published rates. The figures are computed as an instalment loan without an opening fee or monthly fees; they are illustrative calculations, not offers.
| Term | Monthly payment | Total interest |
|---|---|---|
| 3 y | 1,661 € | 9,786 € |
| 5 y | 1,112 € | 16,733 € |
| 8 y | 813 € | 28,014 € |
A longer term lowers the payment, but interest costs grow. Work out your own case in the calculator.
Applying step by step
Before the application
Decide the amount and term, calculate the monthly payment and check how much room you have left. Have recent financial data and any collateral details ready. Compare three or four lenders in the table and read their pre-contract information.
During the application
You always apply directly with the lender on its own site. Fill in the details truthfully and check the amount, term and costs before confirming. Haeluotto does not process applications and does not see your details.
After the decision
Read the agreement and pre-contract information calmly before signing. Check collateral, guarantees and the terms of early repayment.
If the application is rejected
A refusal does not mean other lenders will refuse too, but a burst of applications does not help. Ask for the reasons, check your credit record and the positive credit register data, and consider whether a smaller amount or a longer term is realistic. Do not apply everywhere at once. If you already have payment difficulties, contact debt counselling before taking new credit.
Supervision and regulation
The consumer-credit rate caps do not apply to credit granted to companies, but banks are credit institutions supervised by Finanssivalvonta and Finnvera is the state’s specialised financing company. Check the lender with Finanssivalvonta and read about price limits on the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority site. Lenders and groups are also on the lender list.
Payment difficulties and getting help
If the loan starts to feel heavy, contact the lender before a payment is missed. Many lenders offer a repayment holiday or a new payment plan. Debt counselling helps free of charge, and it is important to seek help early: late-payment costs and collection add to the debt quickly.
Recognising scams
Beware of offers that demand an advance payment, a “security fee” or a “processing fee” before the money is in your account. Do not give online-banking credentials by phone or message. Use the lender’s own, known address and check the company in the Finanssivalvonta register. Haeluotto never asks for credentials, payments or credit data.
Your budget before the loan
A good loan starts from a budget, not from an application. Go through the following steps before comparing lenders.
- Calculate your monthly income after tax and subtract fixed expenses: rent or mortgage, bills, insurance and food.
- Add the monthly payments of existing loans and credits.
- Keep a buffer worth at least a month of expenses for unexpected costs.
- What remains is the upper limit of the payment, not a target: choose a payment you can make even when income falls or the rate rises.
- Test the payment in the calculator with different terms and see which amount and term it allows.
How lenders assess risk
In business finance the lender assesses the company’s cash flow, profitability, indebtedness, sector and collateral. Risk sets the price: the less certain repayment is, the higher the rate or the stronger the collateral required. That is why the same product can cost different applicants different amounts, and why a published starting price is not a personal offer. The lender’s assessment rests on the information you give in the application and on registers, so do not give wrong information; it can lead to rejection or problems with the contract later.
Rate, margin and APR in brief
- Nominal rate is the annual rate calculated on the loan without other costs.
- Margin is the lender’s own share on top of a reference rate (for example Euribor).
- Annual percentage rate (APR) combines the interest and all credit costs into one annual percentage in consumer credit.
- Representative example is a calculation the lender publishes for a given amount and term; it does not necessarily match the price offered to you.
The differences are explained further on the methodology page, and a glossary is also at the bottom of this page.
Repayment and early repayment
Early repayment of a business loan is agreed in the contract, and it may involve costs. If possible, pay a small extra instalment now and then: it shortens the term and reduces interest costs. Before signing, check whether the due date can be moved and what that costs.
Information needed for the application
In business finance the lender usually asks for recent financial statements, an interim forecast of profit and balance for the current year, tax data, details of the company’s owners and details of collateral and guarantors. A new company is asked for a business plan and a cash-flow forecast. Prepare the information in advance so the application is not delayed. Check that what you provide is correct: wrong information can lead to rejection.
Questions to ask the lender
- What is the total cost of the loan in euros over the whole term?
- What costs are there besides the opening fee and monthly fees?
- Is the rate fixed or linked to a reference rate, and when is it reviewed?
- Can I repay the loan early, and what does it cost?
- What happens if a payment is late?
- What data does the lender store and to whom does it disclose it?
Write down the answers and compare them side by side across lenders. If an answer is unclear or evasive, take that into account in your choice.
Common misconceptions
“The lowest rate is always the best option”
The lowest rate is not the best if it comes with high side costs, a short price period or terms that do not suit your situation. Compare the total cost and the terms.
“The published rate is what I will pay”
The published rate is a starting price or the low end of a range. Your own price depends on the applicant’s information.
“Comparing means applying”
Comparing is research. The application is made only to the lender, and Haeluotto does not see your application. Applying can affect your credit record, so compare first and apply afterwards.
Follow the market
Prices and terms change. In the market watch you see lenders’ rate changes and regulatory news, and in the market report the price range of the whole market and Euribor development. If you want to follow changes, subscribe to the digest of best offers with the newsletter on the front page.
Summary and next steps
The business credit line comparison has 2 products, of which 1 have a published rate (12.00% – 12.00%, median 12.00%). Start by working out the monthly payment you need in the calculator, choose two or three lenders from the table and ask them for their own pre-contract information. Remember that the published price is a starting point, not an offer, and that the final decision is made by the lender.
When to seek advice
For large or complex financing it is worth talking to an accountant, a business service or an independent financial expert before signing, especially if the financing involves a personal guarantee or collateral. Advice helps assess ability to repay, compare options and understand the terms of the agreement. Haeluotto does not give personal credit or investment advice, but our pages give information you can use to prepare for the conversation.
Where the data comes from
The business credit line figures are collected from lenders’ own public pages every night. Unpublished prices are not guessed. The table follows 2 products, of which 1 have a published rate; status 07/10/2026. Rate changes are logged in the market watch, the whole-market picture is in the market report and the calculation methods on the methodology page.
Glossary
- Credit limit
- The maximum amount agreed by the lender that you may use as credit. For credit lines the cost cap is calculated on the limit.
- Account fee
- A monthly fee for maintaining the credit account or limit. In consumer credit it counts towards the cost cap.
- Reference rate
- The rate to which the price of a variable-rate loan is tied, most commonly Euribor. The loan rate is the reference rate plus the margin.
- Opening / handling fee
- A one-off charge made by the lender for granting the loan. It counts as a credit cost and therefore enters the APR.
- Nominal rate
- The contractual interest rate, excluding the opening fee and monthly fees. It is always lower than or equal to the APR.
Frequently asked questions
How is a monthly rate converted to an annual one?
Multiply the monthly rate by twelve. For example a 1.00% monthly rate corresponds to a 12% nominal annual rate. The lender’s fees come on top.
Is a business credit line cheaper than a consumer loan?
Not necessarily. The consumer-credit price cap does not apply to business credit, so the price can be lower or higher. Compare the total cost.
Can I apply for business credit line through Haeluotto?
No. Haeluotto is a comparison service that does not process applications or make credit decisions. You always apply directly with the lender on its own site.
How often are business credit line prices updated?
Prices are fetched from lenders’ own pages every night. When a rate change is detected it is logged in the market watch. Latest update: 07/10/2026.
Why do not all business credit line products have a rate?
Many lenders set the rate only at the credit decision. We then show “negotiable / not published” and do not guess a figure.