Cardiff Wins America’s Favorite Small Business Lender for the Second Year in a Row

San Diego, CA [2025] – Cardiff has once again been recognized as America’s favorite small business lender, marking the second year in a row the company has received the honor. The recognition highlights Cardiff’s ongoing mission to provide fast, fair, and accessible growth capital to Main Street entrepreneurs.

“This award reflects a mission that began over 21 years ago: equitably delivering growth capital to Main Street,” said William Stern, Co-Founder of Cardiff. “Since 2004, we’ve provided more than $10 billion in funding to help small businesses thrive by focusing on what truly matters to owners.”

Supporting Main Street Businesses

Small businesses account for nearly half of private sector employment in the United States and are often considered the backbone of the national economy. Yet access to financing continues to be one of their greatest challenges. Traditional bank loans can involve weeks of paperwork and lengthy underwriting processes, which can delay opportunities or prevent businesses from meeting urgent needs.

Cardiff was founded to address this gap. By building a technology-driven lending platform, the company offers approvals in minutes and funding up to $500,000 on the same day. This speed and efficiency allow business owners to act quickly, whether they are expanding, hiring, or seizing new opportunities.

“When a business owner seeks funding, they need speed and trust,” Stern explained. “Entrepreneurs shouldn’t have to wait 60 days for a no. Our technology delivers fast approvals and, in many cases, same-day funding.”

A Partner in Growth

Cardiff’s work extends across industries, from retailers and contractors to healthcare professionals, restaurateurs, and logistics operators. Clients consistently point to the company’s ability to move at the pace of business.

One example is Mike Georgopoulos of RMD Group, a hospitality leader in Southern California. In hospitality, where competition is fierce and opportunities for prime locations are limited, timing is everything. Georgopoulos noted that Cardiff understood his business vision and provided funding within days, not months, allowing him to move forward when opportunities presented themselves.

“Speed is critical in our industry,” Georgopoulos said. “Cardiff not only delivered quickly but also operated like a true partner that understood what we were trying to achieve.”

Beyond Lending

Cardiff’s leadership emphasizes that the company’s role is not limited to financing. Stern believes that while access to capital is essential, it is only part of what entrepreneurs need to succeed.

“Our role extends further than a loan,” he said. “To succeed, a business owner needs a community, coaching, and a roadmap. That’s why I co-founded The Fraternity with entrepreneur Brad Lea, a premier coaching environment for business owners.”

The Fraternity provides mentorship and peer-to-peer learning, while other Cardiff-backed initiatives, such as The Agency and Growth Summits, are designed to give entrepreneurs access to resources, training, and strategic guidance. According to Stern, the idea is to help business owners maximize the impact of the capital they receive.

“Capital is fuel,” Stern noted. “Without direction, that fuel can be wasted. That’s why we combine lending with coaching and community support. Our goal is not just to provide funds, but to help entrepreneurs build businesses that last.”

Looking Ahead

With its second consecutive recognition as America’s favorite small business lender, Cardiff is focused on expanding its reach and continuing to support small businesses nationwide.

“To every small business owner, we are not slowing down,” Stern said. “We are just getting started. Our vision is to ensure that any entrepreneur, no matter their size or industry, can access the resources and community they need to succeed.”

Learn more at www.cardiff.co or view the full award profile at WorkingCapital.com.

ABOUT CARDIFF

Founded by William Stern, Cardiff is a leading alternative financing company that has provided more than $10 billion in funding to American small businesses. Its products include working capital loans, equipment financing, merchant cash advances, SBA loans, and business credit cards, with approvals in minutes and same-day funding. Cardiff aims to be a long-term partner for Main Street businesses, providing efficient, tech-powered solutions supported by a human touch. To explore Cardiff’s financing solutions and success stories, visit www.cardiff.co.

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