First Financial business loan review: Rates & more

Small-business owners often say they want two things from a lender: a bank that actually understands their community, and a partner that won’t make them fight through layers of bureaucracy to get a straightforward loan. First Financial Bank, a 135-year-old Texas institution, built its reputation on exactly that promise.

But depending on where your business is located, First Financial may be either a rock-solid option or completely out of reach. It lends exclusively within Texas, yet its product line is broad enough that national business owners still search for it as they compare banks, SBA lenders, and asset-backed credit.

The Swoop team will break down what First Financial offers, who qualifies, how its loans work, and where it stands in a small-business lending landscape now driven by digital platforms.

An overview of First Financial's business loans

Most banks talk about serving businesses, but First Financial’s commercial lending looks and feels like it was built for the backbone industries that shaped Texas itself — agriculture, energy, construction, real estate development, and fast-growing mid-market firms that need more than a simple term loan.

First Financial offers a wide suite of secured lending products, SBA loans, and specialty business lines, but does not market national unsecured lending or instant online approvals. It’s a relationship-driven bank first.

Below is a breakdown of its main categories.

Unsecured business loans

If you’re hoping for a bank that hands out unsecured working capital or cash-flow loans, this won’t be the right fit.

First Financial does not offer a traditional unsecured business loan product. Almost every loan type requires collateral, whether that’s equipment, real estate, inventory, receivables, or personal guarantees.

Why it matters: For founders who want speed or minimal documentation, fintech lenders and specialty online platforms may feel easier. But for businesses willing to collateralize a loan, banks like First Financial usually offer stronger pricing and longer terms.

Secured business loans

This is where the bank is strongest, offering a suite of secured loan types that cover expansion, equipment acquisition, seasonal cash flow, property development, and industry-specific needs.

Here’s what their secured options include:

Working capital loans: Short-term financing to support cash flow, offered on a revolving or non-revolving basis. Often secured by receivables, inventory, or other operating assets.
Agriculture loans: Financing for livestock, equipment, land improvements, and farm operations — a core product for a bank rooted in agricultural markets.
Equipment loans: Structured to match the economic life of machinery, vehicles, manufacturing equipment, technology assets, and more.
Floor plan loans: Designed for businesses that carry high-value inventory, such as auto dealerships and equipment sellers.
Commercial real estate loans: Interim construction loans and permanent mortgages for manufacturing facilities, retail buildings, warehouses, or office space.
Residential construction loans: Primarily for builders developing single-family homes, with lending amounts typically tied to appraised value or project cost.
Oil and gas loans (reserve-based lending): A specialized category supporting exploration, drilling, and production, not common among mainstream banks.

Growth Guarantee Scheme

The short answer: not in the way national readers might expect. Texas businesses won’t find a UK-style Growth Guarantee Scheme here, but First Financial does participate in US Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, which are federally backed through the SBA 7(a) and 504 structures.

Those include:

SBA 7(a) for acquisitions, real estate, refinancing, equipment, and working capital
SBA 504 for long-term real estate and heavy equipment, with fixed-rate SBA portions

For many small businesses, SBA loans serve the same purpose as a guarantee scheme: reducing risk for the lender and unlocking approvals that may not be possible through standard underwriting.

Additional funding products

Beyond traditional and SBA loans, the bank provides:

Letters of credit
Treasury and cash-management solutions
Business checking, money market, and savings accounts

While not funding products themselves, these services tend to influence the bank’s relationship-based lending approach. Businesses with deposits at First Financial typically receive stronger loan terms and faster decisions.

What is First Financial's typical interest rate

Here’s where transparency becomes tricky. The bank does not publish specific interest rates for commercial loans, equipment finance, or real estate lending.

Instead, like most community and regional banks, pricing depends on:

Collateral quality
Business financials
Time in operation
Credit history
Loan structure
Deposit relationship

Based on industry norms for secured bank lending, customers should expect:

Commercial term loans: market-based rates tied to Prime or SOFR
Equipment loans: competitive fixed or variable pricing
SBA loans: capped SBA rates (Prime + allowable margin)

For businesses comparing options, you may find significantly more rate transparency through online lenders, but not necessarily better pricing.

How much can I borrow with a First Financial business loan?

The bank doesn’t publish maximum loan amounts for most categories, but here’s what their product depth implies:

Equipment loans often align with the asset’s economic life
Working capital lines depend on receivables and inventory
Commercial real estate loans scale with appraised values
Floor plan loans can run into multi-million-dollar facilities
SBA loans follow federal caps (up to $5M)

Because First Financial lends across industries like construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and energy, its upper limits will likely be much higher than those of online lenders — if the collateral and financials support it.

What is the acceptance rate for a First Financial business loan?

No acceptance rate is disclosed, and banks rarely publish one.

What we can say:

As a Texas-only lender, the bank focuses on relationship lending.
Strong collateral improves approval odds.
Businesses without collateral or with volatile cash flow may face challenges.
SBA programs widen eligibility.

Compared to fintechs, approval speed is slower but approval stability — once the relationship is established — tends to be stronger.

Eligibility criteria and whether you qualify

Because First Financial evaluates businesses case-by-case, think less in terms of rigid thresholds and more in terms of readiness.

Here’s what typically matters:

Operating in Texas (non-negotiable for most loans)
Demonstrated revenue and profitability
Strong collateral (equipment, real estate, receivables, inventory)
Tax returns and financial statements showing stability
For SBA loans: meeting federal eligibility requirements

Startups can qualify only if SBA programs support the request or if significant collateral offsets early-stage risk.

Additional information

Even experienced borrowers often have questions about the mechanics of a regional bank’s loan structure. Here’s how First Financial handles the details.

Early repayment fees

Most secured bank loans don’t come with early repayment penalties unless there’s a specific rate lock or negotiated prepayment clause. First Financial doesn’t publish its policy, so borrowers should expect terms to vary by deal size, collateral, and loan type.

For SBA loans, however, the rules are clearly defined, and they’re worth understanding before you sign anything.

According to SBA.gov, prepayment penalties apply only to SBA loans with maturities of 15 years or more, and only when:

You voluntarily prepay 25% or more of the outstanding balance, and
The prepayment happens within the first three years after the loan’s initial disbursement.

When that happens, the SBA charges a sliding prepayment fee:

Year 1: 5% of the prepaid amount
Year 2: 3%
Year 3: 1%

After year three, SBA loans no longer carry prepayment penalties.

In practice, this means early payoff on long-term SBA loans can trigger a fee, while shorter-term loans or later-stage prepayments won’t.

How long does it take to get approved?

First Financial doesn’t offer instant underwriting. Timelines vary:

Standard commercial loans: Days to weeks
Construction or CRE loans: Multiple weeks

SBA loans: Often 30 to 60 days, depending on documentation

Estimated time to receive funds

Once approved and closed, funding for:

Term loans are generally quick
Lines of credit are accessible immediately after setup
Construction loans fund through draws

SBA timelines depend on federal steps and bank review.

Can a loan be repaid early?

Yes. Most bank loans allow early repayment, though the exact cost impact depends on rate type, structure, and term length.

Is security required?

In nearly every case: yes. Even SBA loans require personal guarantees and collateral when available.

What documentation is required

Like most regional banks, First Financial expects thorough documentation, especially for larger facilities.

Business information

Three years of financial statements
Business tax returns
Accounts receivable and payable aging (for working capital lines)
Entity documents and ownership structure

Business owner information

Personal financial statements
Tax returns
Credit history
Resumes for SBA loans

Funding requirement

Borrowers should be prepared to articulate:

Purpose of funds
Expected ROI or cash-flow impact
Collateral value and supporting appraisals (if applicable)

How to apply for a First Financial business loan

Finding the right loan at a regional bank often starts differently than it does with a national fintech lender. There’s no automated quote tool, no “three-click” application, and no pre-qualification widget. Instead, you begin with people, bankers who will size up your request and match you with the right structure.

Is the application process different to other lenders?

Very. Online lenders optimise for speed; First Financial optimises for accuracy, risk management, and long-term relationships. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will drag out the process, though. Here’s what you can expect:

Initial conversation with a business banker
Documentation gathering
Underwriting review
Negotiation around structure, terms, and collateral
Closing and post-funding relationship management

For Texas businesses who value local support, this level of involvement often feels reassuring. For fast-moving founders who just want funds by Friday, the process may feel slower.

How to improve your chances of getting funded

Because this is a bank (not a revenue-based lender), your preparation matters.

Borrowers who succeed typically:

Present clean, well-organised financials
Show predictable revenue trends
Demonstrate collateral strength
Explain their growth plans clearly
Maintain strong banking relationships

If this isn’t your strength, a platform like Swoop can help translate your financial story into lender-ready terms.

Pros & cons of a First Financial business loan

Every lender has a DNA — what it does well and what it doesn’t pretend to be. First Financial fits that mold.

Pros

Strong options for secured lending
Deep expertise in agriculture, real estate, construction, and oil and gas
SBA 7(a) and 504 programs available
Loan structures tailored to long-term growth
Competitive rates compared to online lenders
Stability and trust from a 135-year-old institution

Cons

Strong focus within Texas
No unsecured business loan products
No digital pre-approval or automated application
Rates and maximum amounts are not publicly disclosed
Slower underwriting compared to fintech alternatives

Alternative funding options for different lenders

If your business isn’t based in Texas, or if you need unsecured, fast-turnaround capital, you may find a better fit through:

National SBA lenders
Online revenue-based financing
Invoice finance and factoring
Asset-based lenders
Marketplace lenders offering unsecured term loans

Swoop makes it easier to see these options side-by-side.

Why use a finance broker?

Most founders don’t spend their evenings comparing amortisation curves or reading 40-page term sheets, and they shouldn’t have to. A broker steps in to translate the jargon, highlight hidden fees, and match you with lenders who fit your industry, your collateral, and your goals.

For Texas businesses, that might be First Financial. For everyone else, the right match might be a national lender offering faster turnaround or different underwriting logic. A broker helps you avoid mismatches, wasted applications, and unnecessary expense.

Get started with Swoop's business funding platform

If First Financial feels like a contender, or if you’re still mapping out whether a secured bank loan, an SBA facility, or a more flexible alternative suits your business better, Swoop gives you a clear, guided path forward.

Create a free Swoop account, upload your financials once, and compare lenders side-by-side with complete transparency. Your dashboard breaks down structures, costs, terms, and eligibility so you can move confidently instead of guessing your way through the market.

When you’re ready to progress, our team steps in to help you navigate offers, negotiate terms, and choose the funding solution that genuinely supports your next chapter. Apply with Swoop today and take the next step with clarity, not confusion.

First Financial business loan review: Interest rates, eligibility, and the application process