Cardiff vs. Crest Capital

The short version

Cardiff and Crest Capital both top out at $250,000 and both are direct lenders rather than broker networks. The difference is who they actually approve. Cardiff accepts credit scores down to 470 and businesses as young as 6 months old, with $0 down options. Crest Capital sits at the other end: 650 minimum, 2+ years in business, must be profitable. If you fit Crest's box, you generally get better rates. If you do not fit it, Cardiff is the realistic option.

Where each one wins

Cardiff is the better pick if you

• Have credit in the 470 to 640 range and need equipment now
• Cannot put 10 to 20 percent down without depleting working capital
• Have been in business less than 2 years
• Are not yet profitable on tax returns but have strong cash flow
• Want a 5-minute application and decisions in hours

Crest Capital is the better pick if you

• Have credit above 650 and want the best rate possible
• Can put 10 to 20 percent down comfortably
• Have been profitable for 2 or more years
• Want to check rates with a soft pull before committing
• Prefer a longer-established lender (founded 1989 vs Cardiff's 2004)

Rate reality

Neither lender publishes exact APR ranges, but customer-reported ranges give a rough picture. Crest Capital customers in the 700+ credit range report APRs in the 7 to 12 percent range. Customers in the 650 to 680 range report 12 to 16 percent. Cardiff's zero-down programs typically run 3 to 7 percentage points higher than comparable down-payment programs at competitors, since they finance 100 percent of equipment cost. The premium is real but predictable: you trade rate for cash preservation.

The money math

A $100,000 equipment loan over 5 years at 10 percent (Crest, strong credit) costs about $27,000 in total interest. The same loan at 15 percent (Cardiff, zero down) costs about $43,000. The $16,000 spread is the cost of not putting $20,000 down. Whether that is worth it depends on what else you would do with that $20,000. For seasonal businesses, fast-growing companies, or anyone who needs cash for fuel, payroll, or inventory in the next 90 days, the math usually favors Cardiff. For established businesses sitting on idle cash, Crest is the better trade.

Both finance the same equipment categories

Both Cardiff and Crest finance the standard equipment categories: construction machinery, medical and dental equipment, restaurant gear, trucks and trailers, manufacturing equipment, agriculture machinery, and most professional equipment. Neither one is materially better than the other on equipment type alone. The decision comes down to your credit profile, cash position, and how fast you need funding.