B:Side Fund

Business-Loans · Colorado

Rating: 4.0/5

B:Side Fund logo

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.

Official Website

https://www.bsidefund.org/

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.

Pros & Cons

Reader-focused summary of the strongest reasons to consider B:Side Fund and the factors most worth weighing before contracting. Individual outcomes depend on your credit situation and goals.

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

Areas to Consider

  • !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

Verdict Summary

B:Side Fund works best for consumers who value dual cdfi and certified development company status indicates commitment to under and can accept the tradeoff of website displays significant placeholder content (interest rates, loan counts, a. Compare against similar providers below before signing any contract.

Services & Features

Services offered

Feature Checklist

Credit Monitoring
All Three Bureaus
Goodwill Letters
Cease Desist Letters
Debt Validation
Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor
Ai Powered

Best For

Before You Contact B:Side Fund

Before signing up with any Business Loans provider, review these safeguards:

Compare Your Needs With B:Side Fund

Match these decision factors against B:Side Fund's profile before committing. This rubric mirrors what independent consumer-finance research typically checks for Business Loans providers.

Category

Business Loans

Service scope

12 services listed

Geographic coverage

1 states

Match to your priorities

  • Budget priority: Pricing published above — factor in setup, monthly, and cancellation fees over the full expected service window.
  • Complexity priority: Consider B:Side Fund's stated strengths (Dual CDFI and Certified Development Company status indicates commitment to underserved small busi...) against your specific credit situation.
  • Timeline priority: Business Loans typically takes 3-6 months for meaningful outcomes. Providers guaranteeing overnight results are red flags under federal consumer protection law.
  • Recourse priority: Confirm state licensing via your state regulator and check the CFPB complaint database before contracting.
  • Alternatives: Compare against all Business Loans providers, DIY options via non-profit counseling agencies, and free CFPB resources.

Pricing

  • Monthly Price: 0
  • Setup Fee: 0
  • Money Back Guarantee: False
  • Guarantee Details:
  • Free Consultation: True
  • Tiers: []
  • Currency: USD

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does B:Side Fund offer?

B:Side Fund offers 12 services including 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, and 7 more. Confirm current service list directly with the provider before contracting.

Who is B:Side Fund best suited for?

B:Side Fund's profile signals suggest it may fit: 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. Individual outcomes vary based on your specific situation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of B:Side Fund?

Key strengths: 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. Areas to consider: 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.

How does B:Side Fund compare to similar companies?

In the Business Loans category, comparable providers include Square Financial Services, Fora Financial, Mulligan Funding, LLC. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Where does B:Side Fund operate?

B:Side Fund serves customers in 1 states including Colorado. Confirm current service availability in your state directly with the provider.

How much does B:Side Fund cost?

Listed pricing for B:Side Fund: monthly price: 0; setup fee: 0; money back guarantee: False. Pricing may change — verify current fees directly with the provider before signing any contract.

Visit B:Side Fund

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Business Loans consumers in Colorado. It does not confirm that B:Side Fund or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies - Division of Banking
Consumer protection: Colorado Attorney General Consumer Protection Section

Credit and debt help rules in Colorado

Key state rules to check

Payday lending in Colorado: Restricted (max $500)

Usury cap: 36% APR cap on payday loans (2018 ballot measure); 12% for consumer loans under usury statute

Complaint resources

State references

Colorado voters approved Proposition 111 in 2018, capping payday loan APR at 36% and requiring minimum 6-month terms. The Uniform Consumer Credit Code provides comprehensive consumer protections for all credit transactions. Consumers can file complaints with the Attorney General or the Division of Banking.

Similar Companies

Comparable Business Loans providers with similar service scope. Ratings reflect stored review context; verify current licensing and pricing directly before contracting.

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F

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SmartBiz Bank, N.A. logo

SmartBiz Bank, N.A.

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Related Questions

Quick Summary

B:Side Fund — Business Loans in Colorado.

Overall rating: 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.

Next Steps

  1. Compare B:Side Fund against similar options above.
  2. Run our borrowing power quiz to see how B:Side Fund matches your situation.
  3. Check state regulator listings for B:Side Fund's licensing before committing.
  4. Visit B:Side Fund once you're ready.

Glossary of Terms

Common terms that come up when comparing Business Loans providers. Full glossary at creditdoc.co/glossary/.

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.
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.
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.
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.
Amortization — Loan Amortization
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Why it matters: Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example: Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
Balloon Payment
A large lump-sum payment due at the end of a loan, after a period of smaller monthly payments. The loan isn't fully paid off by the regular payments — the balloon settles it.
Why it matters: Balloon payments make monthly payments look affordable but create a financial cliff. If you can't pay or refinance at the end, you could lose your home or asset.
Example: A 5-year balloon mortgage on $200,000: you pay $1,054/month (as if it were a 30-year loan), but after 5 years you owe a balloon of $186,108 all at once.
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters: Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example: A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Credit Bureau — Credit Reporting Agency (Bureau)
A company that collects and sells information about your credit history. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Why it matters: Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so your reports may differ. You should check all three reports because an error on one could be costing you money.
Example: Your car loan only reports to Equifax and TransUnion. Your Experian report doesn't show that good payment history, so your Experian score is 15 points lower.
Credit Freeze — Security Freeze / Credit Freeze
A free tool that locks your credit report so no one (including you) can open new accounts until you lift it. It's the strongest protection against identity theft.
Why it matters: A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening loans in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. It's free by law and doesn't affect your credit score.
Example: Your data was in a breach. You freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (takes 10 minutes online). A thief tries to open a credit card in your name — denied because the lender can't pull your frozen report.
Credit Mix — Credit Mix (Types of Credit)
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Why it matters: Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example: Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
Credit Report — Consumer Credit Report
A detailed record of your borrowing history maintained by credit bureaus. It lists every loan, credit card, payment history, collection, and public record tied to your name.
Why it matters: Errors on credit reports are common — 1 in 5 consumers has at least one mistake. Checking your report regularly is the first step to fixing errors that are costing you money.
Example: You pull your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com and find a $2,400 medical collection you already paid. You dispute it, the bureau verifies it's resolved, and your score goes up 40 points.
Credit Score
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Why it matters: Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example: On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.