You may be aware of this, but there a number of firms that can actively assist you as you looking for business loan. These firms are commonly known as loan brokerages. They work in a very similar capacity to that of a mortgage brokerage firm but with a specific focus on business loans. However, before engaging a business loan brokerage you should be aware of a few things. Like with any industry, there are a number of unscrupulous firms and individuals that seek to take advantage of people that are not privy to how the industry works. In regards to loan brokerages, you should be wary of any firm that requires substantial upfront fees before assisting you with obtaining a business loan. However, some of the fees presented by a loan brokerage can be reasonable. For instance, fees for business plan development and credit reports should be reasonable while several thousand dollar retainers for simply taking on a project are not. When working with a business loan brokerage you should always perform your own due diligence. Does this firm have references? Are they are member of the Better Business Bureau? What is their success rate?