The SBA Made in America Loan Guarantee went live May 1, 2026. It offers manufacturers a 90% federal guarantee on loans through the SBA's International Trade Loan (ITL) program, up from the standard 75% on traditional 7(a) loans.
Update, October 2026: The fee waiver described below ended on September 30, 2026. Contact us for the current fee structure on your loan.
What Changed and Why It Matters
The ITL program was historically reserved for businesses with international sales. That requirement is gone.
If your business operates under NAICS Sectors 31–33 (the full range of U.S. manufacturing), you are now eligible for the enhanced ITL program regardless of whether you have any international revenue. Domestic manufacturers, for the first time, have access to the same favorable guarantee structure previously limited to exporters.
The practical effect: lenders take on significantly less risk when the federal government guarantees 90 cents of every dollar loaned. That translates directly into more approvals, better terms, and access to capital for manufacturers who may not have qualified under conventional underwriting.
What the Program Covers
The Made in America Loan Guarantee supports a range of capital uses for qualifying manufacturers:
- Equipment upgrades and replacement: modernize production lines, reduce unit costs, improve throughput
- Facility expansion: build out or renovate manufacturing space to meet demand or national security requirements
- Supply chain diversification: shift sourcing away from foreign suppliers and build domestic production capacity
- Working capital: fund operations, materials, and production costs through the MARC program (Manufacturer's Access to Revolving Credit)
The MARC program, launched October 1, 2025, is a permanent addition to the SBA's 7(a) portfolio. It provides both revolving lines of credit and term loans up to $5 million specifically for manufacturers, designed to handle the extended payment cycles and large material purchases common in the sector.
The 2026 Fee Waiver (Ended September 30, 2026)
Through September 30, 2026, the SBA waived upfront guarantee fees on 7(a) manufacturing loans up to $950,000 and eliminated both upfront and annual fees on 504 manufacturing loans. On a typical SBA loan, guarantee fees run between 2% and 3.75% of the guaranteed portion, so on a $500,000 loan that was $10,000 to $18,750 back in a borrower's pocket.
The fee waiver was applied automatically by the lender during the SBA authorization process, based on the business's NAICS code, for loans authorized through September 30, 2026.
Who Qualifies
Eligibility for the Made in America Loan Guarantee requires:
- NAICS Sectors 31–33: all manufacturing classifications, including durable goods (metal, wood, electronic), nondurable goods (food, textiles, chemicals), and advanced manufacturing
- SBA size standards: tangible net worth under $20 million and average post-tax income under $6.5 million
- U.S. ownership: as of March 1, 2026, SBA loans require 100% ownership by U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals; lawful permanent residents and other non-citizens can no longer hold any ownership stake
- Sound repayment ability: lenders will evaluate cash flow, DSCR, and business history under standard underwriting criteria
The citizenship ownership change is significant and recent. If your business has any non-citizen ownership structure, confirm eligibility with an SBA-approved lender before proceeding.
How It Compares to a Standard SBA 7(a) Loan
| Standard SBA 7(a) | Made in America ITL | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal guarantee | 75% | 90% |
| Upfront fees (NAICS 31–33) | Standard (2%–3.75%) | Waived through Sept 30, 2026 (ended) |
| International sales required | No | No (new as of May 1, 2026) |
| Max loan amount | $5 million | $5 million |
| Eligible uses | Broad | Equipment, facilities, supply chain, working capital |
The higher guarantee does not change your interest rate directly. It does change lender behavior. A 90% guarantee means more lenders will approve more applications at better terms than they would under the standard program.
How to Prepare a Manufacturing SBA Application
Manufacturers considering any of the following are good candidates for the program:
- Equipment purchase or replacement
- Facility build-out or renovation
- Supply chain restructuring
- Working capital line for large contracts or material inventory
The application process through an SBA-approved lender typically takes 30 to 90 days depending on loan size and complexity. Build that timeline into your planning regardless of which fee structure applies when you file.
The SBA Made in America Loan Guarantee is a meaningful program for U.S. manufacturers. The fee waiver described above ended on September 30, 2026. If you are planning a capital investment, contact us to confirm the current guarantee and fee terms before you apply.
If your business falls under NAICS 31–33 and you are considering a capital investment, speak with an SGF advisor to evaluate whether the ITL program fits your situation. You can also review our SBA financing overview for a full breakdown of available programs.
Explore the Program