How Canadian lenders price small business loans, what the fees really add, and the federal rules that apply in 2026.
A small business loan in Canada is priced from a base rate, usually the lender's prime rate for floating loans, plus a spread that reflects how risky the lender thinks your business is, how long you want the money for and what security you can offer. Fees, required deposits, standby charges and the way interest is calculated can move the true cost well above the headline rate. These guides take each moving part in turn.
Start with the overview of small business loan requirements and rates, then read how prime-based pricing works, what the federal Canada Small Business Financing Program allows, and how to work out the true cost of fees. Other guides compare types of financing, explain the criminal interest rate cap that dropped to 35% APR on 1 January 2025 with commercial exemptions, cover collateral and personal guarantees, and set out what remains of the CEBA repayment deadline of 31 December 2026.
Every rate on this site is an illustrative example, not a current market rate. Rules are stated as they apply in October 2026, with the official source to check.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
Origination, registration, standby, legal and appraisal fees on Canadian business loans, how to convert them into an annual rate, and how fees are treated for tax.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
What is still owed on a Canada Emergency Business Account loan in late 2026, how the 5% term loan works, the arithmetic of repaying, and how to refinance or ask for help.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
What security a Canadian lender takes on a business loan, how a GSA and PPSA registration work, what a personal guarantee really commits you to, and what to negotiate.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
How the Criminal Code criminal rate of 35% APR applies to business loans since 1 January 2025, the commercial exemptions at $10,000 and $500,000, and how to test an offer.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
How the federal CSBFP works in 2026, who qualifies, loan limits, the prime plus 3% rate cap, the 2% registration fee, security rules and a worked example.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
How Canadian lenders price business loans from prime or a fixed cost of funds, what the spread reflects, and how to choose fixed or floating with the arithmetic shown.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
What Canadian lenders require for a small business loan, how rates and spreads are set, what fees add, and which federal rules apply in 2026.
Rates, Costs and 2026 Rules
How each type of Canadian small business financing works, what it suits, what it costs and the traps, with worked examples for a line of credit and invoice factoring.
