Question 1

Where does this benchmark data come from?

Accepted Answer

These benchmarks are compiled from the SBA Office of Advocacy industry research, IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) data, and publicly available RMA Annual Statement Studies ranges. They represent approximate medians for small-to-mid businesses under $10M revenue and are intended as reference ranges, not exact figures.

Question 2

My metrics are below the median. Will I get approved?

Accepted Answer

Below-median does not mean unapprovable. Lenders care about trends (improving vs. declining), context (industry cyclicality, one-time events), and collateral (equipment, AR, real estate). A restaurant with a current ratio of 0.7 is not surprising — but a manufacturer at the same level raises questions.

Question 3

What if my industry is not listed here?

Accepted Answer

For unlisted industries, the general lender benchmarks apply: current ratio ≥ 1.0, DSCR ≥ 1.25, net margin ≥ 5%. A Pezzula advisor can pull industry-specific data for your NAICS code before you apply.

Question 4

What's the single most important ratio for lenders?

Accepted Answer

DSCR for term loans and SBA products — it is how lenders verify you can service new debt on top of existing obligations. For asset-based lenders, the relevant ratio is the advance rate against eligible receivables or inventory. For MCA and revenue-based products, average monthly deposits and bank balance consistency matter more than any financial ratio.

Industry Benchmark Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

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