Faster Access to the Capital You Deserve.

Getting a business loan shouldn’t feel like a mystery. Most delays and declines happen because the process is fragmented, not because the business is weak. Approval Pathway takes the stress out of preparing your application by turning your documents into a clean, lender-ready package.

Here's a simple 5-step checklist to help you get lender-ready, no guesswork required.

Step 1: Confirm Your Business is “Loan-Ready”

Before you gather documents, gut-check that this is the right time to apply. Lenders and advisors suggest you're in a stronger position when:

• You've been operating at least 6-12 months.
• Your monthly revenue is reasonably stable (even if seasonal).
• Your cash flow can support new payments.
• Your personal and business credit history is in fair or better shape.
• You have a clear, specific reason for the loan (e.g., equipment, working capital, hiring, expansion).

Step 2: Pull Together Your “Story” Documents

Credit unions, community banks, and private lenders all start here. They consistently say they want clarity on purpose and amount before anything else. Be able to briefly tell a lender what your business is and why you need financing.

Have:

• A short business overview (what you do, who you serve, your value proposition).
• A clear project description or reason for the loan..
• A briefmanagement summary (who runs the business and their experience).

Be able to check these boxes:

• I can explain exactly what the funds will be used for (e.g., “buying a CNC machine,” “covering payroll during a 90-day contract ramp-up,” “renovations for a new location”).
• I've estimated how much I actually need (including HST/GST, shipping, installation, contingency).
• I can show how the loan will help my business grow or stabilize(more revenue, better margins, or smoother cash flow).

Step 3: Gather Your Corporate Financial Statements & Information

Lenders use this to understand your performance and repayment capacity. At a minimum, have PDF or spreadsheet versions of:

• Government ID to verify your identity
• Business tax returns for the last 2-3 years.
• Corporate Identity and governance documents
  • Business registration or incorporation documents
  • Articles of incorporation + shareholder agreement
  • Partnership or joint-venture agreements (if relevant)
  • Trade name registration (if you operate under a different name)
• Last 2-3 years of year-end financial statements:
  • Balance Sheet
  • Income Statement / Profit & Loss
  • Cash Flow Statement
  • Accounts receivable and accounts payable reports
• 6-12 months of business bank statements and a void cheque

Step 4: Identify Collateral & Security

Lenders often want to know what security is available (especially for larger loans).

List out:

• Business assets (equipment, vehicles, property, etc.) with reasonable estimates of value.
• Any existing liens or security interests on those assets
• Whether personal guarantees from owners are possible/acceptable.

Step 5: Get Approval Pathway to Package Your Lender File

How you package your information matters. Credit unions, community banks and private lenders repeatedly stress that preparation and clarity increase your odds and speed things up. You don't have to do all of this alone, this is where Approval Pathway comes in.

When you are ready, head to Approval Pathway to: Start Your Application

• Answer easy short summary questions from Step 2
• Upload the required files in Steps 3 and 4, and any additional files you can share
• Take your time, save your progress, come back when you can

We will organize and analyze the pieces above into one clean, consistent file that any lender can review quickly:

• Key financials and ratios
• Flags and trends lenders will notice
• Clear use-of-funds summary
• A structured, easy-to-review package you can use with any lender