About Fountainhead Commercial Capital
Fountainhead Commercial Capital is an Orlando, Florida-based SBA Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) that has built a formidable reputation as the fastest-closing non-bank SBA lender for business acquisition transactions in the country. In an industry where 45–60 day timelines are commonplace, Fountainhead consistently closes SBA 7(a) loans in 20–35 days — a pace that rivals, and in some cases surpasses, what PLP-status bank lenders achieve.
The secret to Fountainhead's speed is its singular focus: they are an acquisition-only lender. Every loan Fountainhead processes is a business purchase transaction. This means their underwriters have processed thousands of virtually identical deal structures, eliminated all the learning-curve friction that slows generalist lenders, and built an internal checklist-and-workflow system specifically tuned to business acquisition due diligence. There is no working capital portfolio, no equipment loan queue, no refinancing backlog — only acquisitions.
Fountainhead specializes in three deal categories: general business acquisitions, franchise purchases from established franchise systems, and healthcare practice acquisitions (dental offices, veterinary clinics, optometry practices, physical therapy centers). They also maintain strong veteran-friendly programs and lend in all 50 states despite their Florida headquarters. Borrowers who need to close an acquisition transaction quickly — whether for competitive deal pressure or personal timeline reasons — consistently rank Fountainhead among their top choices.
SBA 7(a) Loan Products
Fountainhead Commercial Capital offers the SBA 7(a) Standard loan only — they do not originate the SBA Express product. This reflects their acquisition-only focus; the SBA Express product's speed advantage is less relevant when the lender's internal process is already tuned for rapid turnaround. Their 7(a) Standard loan covers business acquisitions from $500,000 to $5,000,000.
Eligible loan uses at Fountainhead are limited to business acquisition-related purposes: business purchase price (goodwill and tangible assets), equity injection bridging, franchise fees and initial franchise investment, healthcare practice purchase (including patient list and equipment), and working capital associated directly with the acquisition. Fountainhead does not finance standalone equipment purchases, debt refinancing, or working capital that is not tied to a business purchase. If your deal involves an acquisition with or without real estate, Fountainhead is purpose-built for it; if it does not, another lender will be a better fit.
Current Rates & Fees (2025)
Fountainhead Commercial Capital prices SBA 7(a) loans at the WSJ Prime Rate plus a spread. As an SBLC, Fountainhead's loans include SBA guaranty fees on the guaranteed portion (calculated on the guaranteed amount, not the total loan). For 2025, SBA fee waivers apply to loans up to $1,000,000 for eligible veteran-owned businesses. The rates below reflect current pricing with WSJ Prime at 7.50%. Fountainhead's pricing is competitive with PLP banks in the same tier.
| Rate Scenario | Rate (APR approx.) |
|---|---|
| Best available (750+ FICO, strong DSCR, franchise brand) | 10.00% |
| Typical Fountainhead borrower | 10.00 – 10.25% |
| SBA 7(a) maximum allowed rate (>$50K, >7yr) | 10.50% |
Eligibility Requirements
Fountainhead Commercial Capital requires a minimum personal FICO score of 660 for all borrowers. The acquisition target must be a U.S.-based for-profit business in an SBA-eligible industry. Because Fountainhead is acquisition-only, all loans must be for the purpose of purchasing an existing business — they do not finance startups or greenfield franchise launches, only the acquisition of existing operating businesses or existing franchise locations.
Buyers must contribute a minimum 10% equity injection into the total transaction cost. Fountainhead applies a global DSCR minimum of 1.25x based on the trailing twelve-month financials of the business being acquired, combined with any additional income sources of the buyer. For franchise acquisitions, the franchise brand must be listed on the SBA Franchise Directory or be willing to submit their franchise agreement for SBA review. Healthcare practice acquisitions require proof of the buyer's relevant licensure. Industry experience in the acquired business's sector is preferred and strengthens the application, though Fountainhead evaluates each case individually.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✔ Fastest SBLC close times in SBA lending — 20–35 days
- ✔ Pure acquisition specialist — deepest expertise in business purchase deals
- ✔ Franchise acquisition expertise with SBA Franchise Directory knowledge
- ✔ Healthcare practice acquisition specialty (dental, veterinary, optometry)
- ✔ Veteran programs with potential SBA fee waivers
- ✔ Nationwide lending across all 50 states
Cons
- ✗ $500,000 minimum — micro-acquisitions are not eligible
- ✗ Non-bank lender — SBA guarantee submission step required (SBLC)
- ✗ 660 credit minimum (not as accessible as Byline Bank's 640 floor)
- ✗ Acquisition-only focus means no SBA Express, no standalone working capital
- ✗ No SBA Express product available
How to Apply with Fountainhead Commercial Capital
The Fountainhead application process begins at their website, where prospective borrowers submit an initial loan inquiry and are contacted by a dedicated loan officer. Fountainhead's intake process is designed to quickly identify whether a deal fits their acquisition-only model — borrowers typically receive a preliminary pre-qualification within 24–48 hours of submitting their deal overview.
Required documents include three years of business tax returns for the acquisition target (or two years plus interim if the business is younger), a year-to-date profit and loss statement, three years of personal tax returns for all principals, personal financial statement (SBA Form 413), signed purchase agreement or letter of intent, and a business plan or buyer summary. Franchise deals require the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and a copy of the franchise agreement. Healthcare practice acquisitions require proof of the buyer's professional license. Fountainhead coordinates business valuations with SBA-approved valuation firms. Once their internal credit committee approves the deal, the file is submitted to the SBA for guarantee authorization — a step Fountainhead completes in days, not weeks, given their workflow efficiency.
Apply at Fountainhead Commercial Capital →Frequently Asked Questions
How does Fountainhead close SBA loans so quickly?
Fountainhead Commercial Capital achieves its 20–35 day close times through an acquisition-only focus, a highly experienced underwriting team with minimal deal-type variability, and a streamlined documentation process built specifically for business purchase transactions. Because every loan Fountainhead processes is a business acquisition, the team has no learning curve on deal structure — they've seen every variation. This eliminates the back-and-forth that slows generalist lenders and makes their SBLC submission process to the SBA unusually fast.
Does Fountainhead offer SBA loans for franchise acquisitions?
Yes. Franchise acquisitions are one of Fountainhead Commercial Capital's core strengths. They maintain familiarity with the SBA Franchise Directory and are well-versed in the Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) and franchise agreement requirements that must be reviewed during SBA underwriting. For established franchise brands already on the SBA Franchise Directory, Fountainhead can significantly compress the underwriting timeline — often shaving a week or more off the process compared to lenders who handle franchise deals infrequently.
What is Fountainhead's minimum SBA loan amount?
Fountainhead Commercial Capital has a minimum SBA 7(a) loan amount of $500,000. This reflects their focus on substantive acquisition transactions. Buyers seeking financing for smaller deals under $500,000 should look at PLP bank lenders like Byline Bank, which accepts deals starting at $150,000. Fountainhead's sweet spot is acquisition transactions in the $500K to $3M range, where their expertise and speed deliver the most value relative to more generalist lenders.
Is Fountainhead a bank?
No. Fountainhead Commercial Capital is an SBA Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) — a non-bank lender licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBLCs do not take deposits or offer banking products like checking accounts or lines of credit. Fountainhead's loan files are submitted to the SBA for guarantee authorization after internal credit approval. Despite this extra step versus PLP banks, Fountainhead's specialization allows them to maintain close times competitive with — and sometimes faster than — many PLP lenders.
How does Fountainhead compare to PLP lenders for close time?
Fountainhead Commercial Capital closes SBA loans in 20–35 days, which is competitive with and sometimes faster than PLP bank lenders that target 30–45 days. While PLP banks have the structural advantage of in-house SBA approval authority, Fountainhead compensates with an acquisition-only underwriting model that eliminates the variability slowing generalist lenders. For complex acquisition deals specifically — franchises, healthcare practices — Fountainhead's specialization frequently results in faster actual close times than a generalist PLP bank handling an unfamiliar deal type.
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