B:Side Fund logo

B:Side Fund

4.0/5

B:Side Fund is a certified development company and CDFI offering SBA 504/7(a) loans and direct lending to small businesses from $10K-$5.5M, with 35+ years serving entrepreneurs and lenders.

Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks

Free to Use BBB: NR Free Consultation Visit Website

B:Side Fund Review

B:Side Capital and B:Side Fund operate as a mission-driven small business lender headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with additional offices in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The organization has over 35 years of experience supporting entrepreneurs, lenders, and brokers through SBA and responsible capital financing solutions. They position themselves as a non-traditional certified development company focused on expanding access to capital for small business owners who may not qualify for traditional lending.

B:Side offers a comprehensive suite of small business financing products. Their loan range spans from $10,000 to $5.5 million. They specialize in SBA 504 loans and SBA 7(a) loans through partnership with traditional lenders, while also offering proprietary B:Side Fund direct loans. For non-borrowers, they provide B:Side Assist, an AI-powered business platform to help owners improve financial decision-making. They serve three customer segments: business owners seeking growth capital, lenders looking for service provider partnerships and CRA credits, and brokers facilitating commercial real estate and business acquisition financing.

B:Side distinguishes itself through dual designations as a Certified Development Company and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), indicating alignment with underserved market lending. Their lender network includes partnerships with regional banks (Timberline Bank, Bank of Colorado, Redstone Bank), and they market responsive service and SBA expertise. The company demonstrates diverse success across industries—their case studies include design studios, coffee shops, yoga studios, CPAs, and transportation services. They also offer multilingual support (Spanish, English, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian) and maintain active lending operations across four western states.

B:Side appears legitimate and operationally credible, with verifiable business addresses, a specific phone line (303.657.0010), and documented lending relationships. However, the website displays placeholder content (interest rates and loan statistics show "0"), suggesting either technical issues or outdated web infrastructure. Prospective borrowers should verify current rates and terms directly. The organization's 35-year track record and CDFI/CDC certifications are genuine differentiators, but borrowers should understand that B:Side often acts as a facilitator rather than sole lender, particularly for SBA products requiring bank partnerships.

Services & Features

SBA 504 loans for real estate, equipment, and business acquisitions
SBA 7(a) loans for working capital and business expansion
B:Side Fund direct loans (proprietary product for $10K-$5.5M)
Lender service provider support for partner banks
Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit facilitation
Commercial real estate financing consultation
Business acquisition financing structuring
Broker referral and support services
Small business education and resources
B:Side Assist AI-powered business financial platform
Equipment financing
Job creation and economic impact lending focus

Feature Checklist

Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Dual CDFI and Certified Development Company status indicates commitment to underserved small business markets
  • Wide loan range ($10K-$5.5M) accommodates startups through established businesses
  • Established 35-year track record with documented lending across multiple industries
  • Multi-state presence (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico) with physical offices
  • Partnerships with multiple regional banks (Timberline, Bank of Colorado, Redstone) for diverse product access
  • Multilingual support across 10 languages serves diverse entrepreneur populations
  • Proprietary B:Side Fund direct loans available alongside traditional SBA 504/7(a) products
  • Business education and entrepreneurial resources included beyond financing

Cons

  • Website displays significant placeholder content (interest rates, loan counts, and statistics all show "0"), indicating poor web maintenance or outdated information
  • Limited transparency on specific rates, terms, fees, and approval timelines on public website
  • Regional focus (4 western states only) excludes majority of U.S. small business owners
  • SBA 504 and 7(a) products typically require bank partnerships rather than direct B:Side lending, adding complexity to origination
  • No online application or prequalification tool visible on homepage despite tech platform (B:Side Assist) advertised

Rating Breakdown

Value
5.0
Effectiveness
3.5
Customer Service
3.9
Transparency
3.5
Ease of Use
4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Is B:Side Fund legitimate?

Yes. B:Side Fund is a registered company headquartered in 3350 Brighton Blvd Suite 235, Denver, CO 80216. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
3350 Brighton Blvd Suite 235, Denver, CO 80216
BBB Rating
NR
BBB Accredited
No
Starting Price
Free to Use
Setup Fee
None
Free Consultation
Yes
Money-Back Guarantee
No
Visit B:Side Fund

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on B:Side Fund

B:Side Fund is best suited for small business owners in the Rocky Mountain region seeking SBA or responsible lending products, particularly those underserved by traditional banks. Primary caveat: verify all current rates, terms, and eligibility directly by phone (303.657.0010) or email, as the public website contains placeholder data and does not reflect live loan products.

Best For

  • Small business owners in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, or New Mexico seeking SBA loans or mission-driven lending
  • Entrepreneurs in underserved communities or with limited traditional lending access
  • Commercial real estate purchases and business acquisitions requiring 504 financing
  • Banks and brokers seeking SBA loan partnerships and CRA credit opportunities
Updated 2026-03-21

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Financial Wellness Guides

Financial Terms Explained (7 terms)

New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.

Interest & Rates

APR — Annual Percentage Rate

The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.

Why it matters

Lenders must show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the cheapest loan.

Example

You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.

Interest Rate

The percentage a lender charges you for borrowing their money, calculated on the amount you still owe. It's the lender's profit for taking the risk of lending to you.

Why it matters

Even a 1% difference in interest rate can cost you thousands over a loan's life. Lower rates mean less money out of your pocket.

Example

On a $20,000 car loan for 5 years: at 5% you pay $2,645 in interest. At 8% you pay $4,332. That 3% difference costs you $1,687 extra.

How Loans Work

Cosigner — Loan Cosigner

A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.

Why it matters

Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.

Example

A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.

Loan Term (Tenor) — Loan Term / Tenor

How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.

Why it matters

Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.

Example

Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.

Origination Fee — Loan Origination Fee

A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.

Why it matters

Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.

Example

You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.

Principal — Loan Principal

The original amount of money you borrowed, before any interest or fees are added. It's the 'real' amount of your debt.

Why it matters

Your interest is calculated on the principal. Paying extra toward principal (not just interest) is the fastest way to reduce your total cost and pay off a loan early.

Example

You borrow $25,000 for a car. That $25,000 is your principal. Your first payment of $450 might split as $150 toward interest and $300 toward principal, bringing your balance to $24,700.

Underwriting — Loan Underwriting

The process where a lender evaluates your finances — income, debts, credit history, assets — to decide whether to approve your loan and at what rate.

Why it matters

Understanding what underwriters look for helps you prepare a stronger application. They check your DTI ratio, employment stability, credit score, and the asset's value.

Example

You apply for a mortgage. The underwriter reviews your pay stubs (income), bank statements (savings), credit report (history), and orders an appraisal (home value). This takes 2-4 weeks.

Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.

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