Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted. Ensure attestation of intent, consent to transact electronically, attribution, and retained reproducible records.

When is notarization required?

Most commercial finance agreements do not require notarization, but specific collateral instruments or state-specific grant deeds may. If a notary or RON is used, follow state notary rules and retain required records.

Who can sign for a corporate borrower?

An authorized officer or individual with a corporate resolution may sign. Include signer title and confirm authority with a board resolution or officer certificate to avoid challenges.

What if a party’s legal name is incorrect?

A mismatched entity name can render UCC filings ineffective and impair enforcement. Correct errors promptly and refire UCC-1 statements if needed to preserve priority.

How do I perfect a security interest?

File a UCC-1 financing statement in the appropriate state and describe collateral sufficiently; perfection rules follow Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted by states.

Can I revoke or amend the agreement after signing?

Post-signature amendments require mutual consent and, depending on terms, may require an amendment agreement. Revoke or terminate only per contractual termination provisions to avoid liability.

Business CFA Template

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUSINESS CONSULTING AND FEE AGREEMENT (CFA)

This Agreement is entered into as of (the Effective Date) by and between Company Name: with principal address at ("Company"), and Consultant Name: with principal address at ("Consultant").

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Company desires to obtain consulting services related to ; and

WHEREAS, Consultant represents that Consultant has the experience and capability to perform the services set forth herein and is willing to provide such services to Company under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

SCOPE OF WORK

Consultant shall perform the services described below. Consultant shall perform such services in a professional and workmanlike manner, consistent with industry standards.

Describe Services / Deliverables

PAYMENT TERMS

As full consideration for the services to be rendered, Company shall pay Consultant the fees and expenses in accordance with the terms below.

Total Fee Payment Schedule Invoices / Due Payment Due Days Late Fee / Interest

All payments are non-refundable except as expressly provided herein. Consultant shall be responsible for all taxes arising from payments made under this Agreement unless otherwise required by law.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement shall commence on and shall continue until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section.

Notice Period for Termination Termination Rights / Remedies

Upon termination, Company shall pay Consultant for all services satisfactorily performed through the effective date of termination and for any non-cancellable obligations incurred by Consultant prior to termination.

CONFIDENTIALITY

For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed by one party to the other, whether disclosed orally, visually or in writing, that is designated as confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential given the nature of the information and the circumstances of disclosure. Confidential Information does not include information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public through no wrongful act of the receiving party, (ii) was lawfully in the receiving party's possession prior to receipt from the disclosing party, or (iii) is independently developed by the receiving party without use of the disclosing party's Confidential Information.

The receiving party shall (a) hold the disclosing party's Confidential Information in strict confidence, (b) not disclose Confidential Information to any third parties except as permitted in writing, and (c) use Confidential Information solely to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The receiving party shall take reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of the Confidential Information.

Acknowledgement

The undersigned acknowledges receipt of Confidential Information and agrees to be bound by the confidentiality obligations set forth herein.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to conflict of laws principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in that State for any dispute arising out of this Agreement.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including any exhibits or attachments expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, or communications, whether written or oral. Any amendment or modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, except that Company may assign this Agreement to an affiliate or in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of substantially all of its assets. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Company Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Consultant Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Business CFA Template Is

The Business CFA Template is a standardized commercial finance agreement used to document the terms of lending, credit, or deferred payment between a business borrower and a lender or investor. It sets out principal amount, repayment schedule, interest or fees, security interests, representations, covenants, and events of default. The template is intended for use in U.S. transactions and can be adapted for secured or unsecured facilities, short-term working capital, or purchase-financing arrangements while remaining subject to ESIGN/UETA rules when executed electronically.

Why a Clear Business CFA Template Matters

A well-structured template reduces ambiguity about payment timing, security interests, and default remedies. Clear terms lower negotiation time and reduce legal risk while improving enforceability under U.S. contract and commercial law.

Who Typically Uses This Business CFA Template

The Business CFA Template is used by multiple parties across lending and corporate functions.

Small business owners and founders who need short-term capital or vendor financing for operations or inventory purchases.
Lenders, alternative finance providers, and credit managers documenting underwriting terms and security interests.
In-house counsel and outside lawyers drafting enforceable covenants, collateral descriptions, and default remedies.

Choose the role that matches your situation and adapt the template to reflect negotiated commercial terms.

Core Sections You Should Expect in a Business CFA

The template groups legal and commercial terms into discrete sections to make review and signature straightforward for all parties.

Parties

Identifies lender and borrower by legal entity name, state of formation, and taxpayer ID; ensures correct contracting parties for enforcement.

Loan Amount

Specifies principal, disbursement mechanics, and any conditions precedent to funding, including reserve or escrow requirements.

Repayment Terms

Details payment schedule, amortization, balloon amounts, prepayment rights and any applicable interest calculation method.

Security & Collateral

Describes collateral, perfection steps (UCC-1 filing), and borrower covenants to maintain and insure secured assets.

Representations

Sets factual and legal assurances from each party about authority, solvency, corporate status, and accuracy of disclosures.

Events of Default

Lists default triggers, remedies, cure periods, and acceleration rights to enable predictable enforcement responses.

Essential Data Elements to Collect

Legal Name: Full registered business name

Tax ID: EIN or SSN/TIN

Address: Street, city, state, ZIP

Authorized Signer: Name and title of signing officer

Effective Date: Execution or funding date

Collateral Details: Collateral description and location

Step-by-Step: Filling and Finalizing a Business CFA

Follow these steps to prepare, review, and execute the agreement efficiently while preserving enforceability.

01

Draft Terms: Populate parties, amounts, and schedules in the template.
02

Review Legal Clauses: Confirm collateral, covenants, and default provisions with counsel.
03

Insert Signers: Add authorized signers and set signing order.
04

Execute: Obtain signatures and complete any required filings.

Configuring an Online Signature Workflow

Set up a digital workflow that matches your internal review and authorization sequence before sending for signature.

Field	Configuration
Template Name	Use a descriptive title including lender name
Signer Order	Specify sequential or parallel signing
Authentication	Choose email, SMS, or stronger methods
Reminders & Expiry	Set automatic reminders and link expiry

Where to Send or File the Completed CFA

After execution, route signed copies and file any external notices or filings required to perfect security interests.

Lender Records: Store a signed executed copy in lending files.
Borrower Records: Provide borrower a fully executed copy for corporate records.
UCC Filing: File UCC-1 with state SOS to perfect security interest.
Escrow or Closing: Deliver funds and documents to escrow per closing instructions.

Digital Signing and Distribution Considerations

Use a secure eSignature platform that supports audit trails, document exports, and appropriate signer authentication.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported widely
Integrations: CRM and cloud storage integration available
Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA options

Key Dates and Deadlines to Track

Monitor execution, funding, periodic reporting, and cure deadlines to maintain compliance and contractual rights.

Execution / Effective Date:

Date parties sign; governs interest accrual and obligations

Funding Date:

When lender disburses principal to borrower

Repayment Installments:

Scheduled dates for principal and interest payments

Reporting Deadlines:

Periodic financial reporting dates agreed by parties

Cure Periods:

Contractual days allowed to remedy defaults

Typical Milestones from Negotiation to Post-Closing

A sample sequence shows key milestones from initial draft through post-closing obligations and monitoring.

01

Draft Agreement

Prepare initial draft and circulate for internal review.

02

Negotiation & Approval

Agree commercial terms and obtain board or credit approval.

03

Execution & Funding

Signatures exchanged and funds disbursed as agreed.

04

Post-Closing Monitoring

Track covenants, reports, and levy filings for compliance.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Using a trade name rather than the legal entity name; causes enforcement and filing problems.
Vague collateral descriptions that fail UCC-1 perfection standards and reduce security value.
Missing signature authority—signer lacks corporate resolution or power-of-attorney documentation.
Failing to set clear repayment events and cure rights, which complicates default resolution.

Potential Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete CFA

Unperfected Security: Loss of priority

Default Costs: Late fees and acceleration

Tax Exposure: Unreported debt treatment

Enforceability Risk: Ambiguous terms may void claims

Filing Penalties: State fees or rejection delays

Operational Disruption: Interruptions to business funding

E-signature Pricing Snapshot for Business CFA Workflows

Compare starting prices and core capabilities for common eSignature providers; signNow is listed first per platform naming conventions used here.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About the Business CFA Template

Answers to common legal and execution questions when preparing or signing a Business CFA in the United States.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted. Ensure attestation of intent, consent to transact electronically, attribution, and retained reproducible records.
When is notarization required?
Most commercial finance agreements do not require notarization, but specific collateral instruments or state-specific grant deeds may. If a notary or RON is used, follow state notary rules and retain required records.
Who can sign for a corporate borrower?
An authorized officer or individual with a corporate resolution may sign. Include signer title and confirm authority with a board resolution or officer certificate to avoid challenges.
What if a party’s legal name is incorrect?
A mismatched entity name can render UCC filings ineffective and impair enforcement. Correct errors promptly and refire UCC-1 statements if needed to preserve priority.
How do I perfect a security interest?
File a UCC-1 financing statement in the appropriate state and describe collateral sufficiently; perfection rules follow Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted by states.
Can I revoke or amend the agreement after signing?
Post-signature amendments require mutual consent and, depending on terms, may require an amendment agreement. Revoke or terminate only per contractual termination provisions to avoid liability.

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