Key Takeaways
- Fashion and apparel business owners on AOS EAD qualify using SSN + EIN + 3 months of wholesale or retail revenue bank statements
- Seasonal inventory purchasing, production financing, and showroom/retail buildout are primary capital uses in this industry
- SBA loans now require 100% US citizen ownership (March 2026) — apparel brands on AOS must seek private capital alternatives
- Fashion businesses with $15K+ in monthly product sales and 6+ months of history meet Bankable's standard qualification criteria
- Revenue-based repayment aligns with fashion's seasonal sales cycles — higher repayment in peak seasons, lower in off-seasons
The US fashion and apparel industry generates over $370 billion annually, with independent designers, emerging brands, and specialty apparel retailers forming a vibrant segment of this ecosystem. Immigrant entrepreneurs have built some of the most innovative fashion businesses in American history — bringing aesthetic sensibilities, sourcing relationships, and manufacturing expertise from their countries of origin to create brands that resonate with US consumers.
Many fashion business owners hold AOS EAD status. They came to the United States on design visas, fashion industry H-1B petitions, or as dependents who built their own businesses, and now operate legitimate fashion companies while waiting for green cards. The March 2026 SBA rule change eliminated their access to government-backed financing — traditionally important for inventory financing, showroom buildout, and working capital in the fashion industry.
Bankable's revenue-based funding evaluates your wholesale order revenue, retail sales, and e-commerce deposits through your business bank account. Seasonal concentration — spring/summer and fall/winter buying cycles — is a normal characteristic of fashion business revenue that our underwriting explicitly accommodates. Your SSN and EIN are your qualification credentials.
Capital Uses for Fashion and Apparel Businesses
Seasonal Inventory Production and Purchasing
Fashion brands must commit to production 4–6 months ahead of the selling season. A fall/winter collection that will sell $500K must be produced and purchased months before a dollar of revenue arrives. Revenue-based advances bridge this production-to-sale gap, funding the inventory investment that prior season revenue cannot cover alone. This is the most critical capital need in fashion — and the most underserved by traditional lending.
Trade Show and Showroom Presence
Wholesale fashion depends on trade show exposure — MAGIC in Las Vegas, Coterie in New York, regional buying shows — where retail buyers place orders for the upcoming season. Trade show participation costs $10K–$50K per show in booth fees, sample production, and travel. Bankable advances fund trade show investment against prior season's wholesale revenue.
E-Commerce and DTC Infrastructure
Fashion brands transitioning from pure wholesale to direct-to-consumer e-commerce need investment in Shopify infrastructure, photography, digital marketing, influencer partnerships, and logistics partnerships with 3PLs. These DTC buildout costs run $20K–$100K and precede DTC revenue by several months.
Retail Store Buildout
Opening a flagship retail store, a pop-up shop, or a showroom requires lease security deposits, fixture installation, visual merchandising, and initial inventory investment. Store buildout typically runs $50K–$200K for a boutique-scale retail location.
| Factor | Bankable Standard |
|---|---|
| Immigration Status | AOS EAD or parolee-in-place EAD |
| Monthly Revenue | $15,000+ in wholesale/retail/e-commerce revenue |
| Business Age | 6 months minimum |
| Documentation | SSN + EIN + 3 months bank statements |
| Funding Available | $25,000 to $5,000,000 |
| Decision Timeline | 48 hours from complete application |
Fashion brands with documented wholesale order history and consistent retail or e-commerce deposits are strong Bankable candidates. Check your Bankability Score to see your personalized funding options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable provides revenue-based advances for fashion and apparel businesses owned by AOS EAD holders. We use wholesale and retail sales deposits, SSN, and EIN. No green card required.
Fashion businesses have predictable seasonal revenue concentration — spring/summer and fall/winter buying cycles. We look at 12-month annualized revenue and average monthly deposits, not just the most recent 3 months. Off-season deposits count alongside peak-season revenue.
Yes. Production financing for an upcoming season's collection — fabric purchases, manufacturing deposits, sample production — is one of the most common uses. We advance against your prior season's verified revenue.
Yes. Trade show participation costs — booth fees, sample production, travel — are valid working capital uses. We advance against existing wholesale revenue to fund trade show investment that builds future order books.
Wholesale fashion brands, retail clothing stores, e-commerce apparel businesses, specialty designers, and fashion importers all qualify. We look at revenue flowing through your business bank account regardless of which channel generates it.
Yes. Wholesale orders that result in deposits to your business bank account — payment from boutiques, department stores, or wholesale platforms — are exactly the type of revenue we underwrite. Purchase orders or invoices can supplement bank statement documentation.
The SBA rule requires 100% US citizen or national ownership, excluding all AOS EAD holders from SBA programs. Fashion businesses that previously used SBA 7(a) for inventory or working capital lines no longer qualify. Bankable provides private capital with no citizenship requirement.
If your brand already has wholesale or retail revenue, yes. If you are pre-revenue, you would not qualify for our standard program. E-commerce launch costs can be funded against existing business revenue — we look at the existing business to underwrite new channel investments.