How a line of credit works
- The lender approves a limit.
- You draw any amount up to that limit.
- You repay what you drew, plus interest on that amount.
- As you repay, the limit becomes available again.
You do not reapply each time. That is what makes a line useful for needs you cannot predict.
What it costs
Kapitus does not publish a rate range for its lines, and we will not guess at one. What to know:
- You pay interest only on the drawn balance. A $200,000 limit with $40,000 drawn costs interest on $40,000.
- The rate is fixed. Every line we offer carries a fixed rate or a fixed cost per draw. It does not move with the market.
- The payment may not be. On some lines the payment moves with your balance. On others each draw carries its own fixed payment, whether it amortizes or is fee-based. Ask which yours is.
- Unsecured costs more than secured.
- Ask about fees. Draw fees, maintenance fees, and renewal fees vary by lender. A draw fee is charged every time you draw, so a line you tap often can cost more than a loan.
Before you draw, ask for the rate, every fee, and the payment on the amount you plan to take.
How fast you repay matters as much as the rate. See interest rates and minimum payments.
What a line is good for
- Cash flow gaps. Covering payroll or rent while you wait on customer payments.
- Seasonal swings. Buying inventory ahead of a busy season and repaying after it.
- Surprises. A repair, a rush order, a supplier discount with a deadline.
- A cushion. Having approved credit in place before you need it.
Where it goes wrong
- Expecting a loan-sized limit. Lenders approve lines for less than they would lend on a term loan, sometimes substantially less. If the need is a known amount, a term loan usually gets you more money.
- Paying more than a loan would have. The rate plus a fee on every draw can add up to more than a term loan, even one with a higher total payback, depending on how you use the line. If you will draw often, or draw the full line and hold it, price the line against a loan for the same use before you sign.
- Using it for long-term purchases. Equipment or a build-out belongs on a term loan or equipment financing, where the payment is fixed.
- Drawing to the limit and staying there. A line that never gets paid down is an expensive term loan.
- Not knowing how the payment works. The rate is fixed, but on some lines the payment moves with your balance, while on others each draw carries its own fixed payment. Know which before you draw, or budgeting gets hard.
Line of credit vs term loan
| Line of credit | Term loan | |
|---|---|---|
| You receive | A limit to draw from | One lump sum |
| Interest on | The drawn amount only | The full loan |
| Rate | Fixed | Fixed |
| Payment | Moves with your balance on some lines, fixed per draw on others | Fixed |
| How much | Usually less, sometimes substantially less | More for the same business |
| Reusable | Yes | No |
| Best for | Ongoing or unpredictable needs | One purchase with a known cost |
See small business term loans for the lump-sum option.
How to apply
- Fill out our short form.
- Complete the lender’s application.
- A financing specialist reviews your file and may ask for ID or financial statements.
- Review your limit, rate, and fees.
- Sign, then draw when you need to.
Sources
- Kapitus: Business Line of Credit, checked October 12, 2026