Key Takeaways
- Fashion brands, apparel manufacturers, and retail operators qualify for Bankable
- SBA retail and manufacturing loans unavailable to E-3 holders
- Inventory, production, and wholesale capital all fundable
- Seasonal collection timing is well-understood in Bankable underwriting
- 48-hour decisions up to $3M
Australian fashion has a distinctive aesthetic — clean lines, quality fabrics, and a resort-casual sensibility that translates exceptionally well to US markets, particularly in California, Florida, and resort destinations. E-3 holders in fashion run DTC brands, wholesale businesses, and multi-brand retail operations.
Fashion capital needs are highly seasonal: collection production must be funded 4–6 months before season, wholesale orders are placed before goods exist, and inventory must be managed across seasonal cycles. Bankable funds fashion businesses on revenue history and seasonal patterns — no SBA, no green card requirement.
The E-3 Funding Barrier
The SBA's 100% citizen/national ownership rule disqualifies every E-3 holder from government-backed loans — regardless of how long you've been in the US, how profitable your business is, or how strong your credit score is. Banks that primarily originate SBA loans have no viable product to offer you. That's not a reflection of your business quality; it's a policy gap that Bankable was built to bridge.
Revenue-based funding through Bankable requires no green card, no citizenship, and no SBA involvement. What matters: your business generates consistent revenue, has been operating for at least 6 months, and has a US business bank account. That's the core of what we evaluate. Check your Bankability Score to see your options in minutes.
Challenges in This Sector
- Collection production must be funded 4–6 months before seasonal revenue arrives
- Minimum order quantities from manufacturers require large upfront commitments
- Wholesale payment terms (Net-30 to Net-90 from retail buyers) create substantial AR float
- Fashion is trend-dependent — wrong season or wrong trend can create excess inventory
- Showroom and trade show costs for wholesale market access are significant
- Returns and markdowns in retail create unpredictable revenue adjustments
Funding Solutions for E-3 Holders
- Production Financing: Fund collection manufacturing before seasonal revenue.
- Inventory Capital: Manage inventory builds and seasonal stock requirements.
- AR Bridge: Cover wholesale payment terms (Net-30 to Net-90).
- DTC Marketing: Fund digital marketing and DTC customer acquisition.
- Showroom & Trade: Capital for trade show participation and showroom costs.
Australian Fashion Positioning in the US
Australian fashion brands that succeed in the US typically lean into the country's premium lifestyle positioning — surf and swim (Seafolly, Tigerlily), resort wear (Camilla), and contemporary fashion (Alice McCall, Zimmermann) all have strong US followings. E-3 holders bringing these aesthetics to smaller, independent brands find receptive audiences in specialty retail and DTC channels.
Capital Products Available
Revenue-Based Funding
Up to $5M based on your monthly revenue. No green card, no SBA. 48-hour decisions.
Apply Now →Equipment Financing
Asset-backed funding for equipment — available to non-citizen business owners.
Check Eligibility →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Fashion brand ownership is not restricted by E-3 status.
We evaluate full seasonal cycles rather than individual months. Spring/summer versus fall/winter patterns are factored in.
Yes. Pre-season production financing is a core fashion use case.
We bridge Net-30 to Net-90 wholesale buyer payment terms with working capital.
DTC brands, wholesale fashion, apparel manufacturing, accessories, swim and resort wear, and multi-brand retail.
Typically $15K+/month in consistent revenue over 6 months.
Yes. Trade show costs are a valid business development capital use.
Bankable requires 6+ months of revenue. Early-stage brands should establish revenue before applying.
48-hour decisions. Funds in 3–5 business days.
Yes. Digital marketing and customer acquisition spend are valid working capital uses.