Financing Program
SBA 7(a) & 504 Loans & Rates
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans offer long repayment terms and lower down payments for qualified owner-operated businesses. We prepare your file the way lenders and the SBA review it, so underwriting questions are answered before submission.
Loan Range
$50,000 – $5,500,000
Term Range
10 – 25 years
Structure
Government-backed financing for owner-operated businesses
What It's Used For
Common Use Cases
Purchase or expand an owner-operated business
Acquire commercial real estate with owner-occupancy
Refinance high-cost existing business debt
Finance a business acquisition or partner buyout
Fund franchise startup or multi-unit expansion
Program Details
Key Features
SBA 7(a) loans up to $5 million
SBA 504 for real estate and heavy equipment, up to $5M in SBA debenture ($5.5M for manufacturing and energy projects)
Terms up to 25 years for real estate, 10 years for working capital
7(a) loans can carry fixed or variable rates (variable rates are based on WSJ Prime); the 504 CDC portion is fixed
Lower down payment requirements than conventional loans
Eligible for acquisition, expansion, and refinance
How It Works
How This Financing Is Structured
SBA loans are partially guaranteed by the federal government. Financing ranges from $50,000 to $5,500,000 depending on program, and lender minimums vary. All direct and indirect owners must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals under the current SBA ownership rule. Apply for an SBA loan online and we'll match you to the right program.
SBA Programs
SBA Loan Programs at a Glance
SBA 7(a)
The general-purpose SBA loan, used for working capital, equipment, business acquisitions, real estate, and refinancing. Loans go up to $5 million, and lender minimums vary.
SBA 504
Built for fixed assets such as owner-occupied real estate and long-life equipment. A bank and a Certified Development Company share the financing, and the borrower contribution starts at 10%.
SBA Express
Part of the 7(a) program for loans of $500,000 or less. The lender makes the credit decision without prior SBA review, and SBA guarantees up to 50%. Some lenders limit their SBA Express programs to smaller amounts, such as $150,000.
Read the SBA Express guide →Fit Assessment
Is This the Right Program?
✓ This program IS a good fit when:
- →Businesses that can't qualify for conventional financing
- →Acquisitions requiring longer amortization periods
- →Startups with strong projections but limited history
- →Owner-occupied real estate purchases
✗ This program is NOT the right fit when:
- ✗Businesses in ineligible SBA industries
- ✗Borrowers who need funding by a fixed, near-term deadline
- ✗Companies with unresolved federal tax debt
- ✗Real estate investors buying non-owner-occupied property
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an SBA loan take to close?
SBA 7(a) loans commonly run 30 to 90 days to close, but timelines vary by lender and file. SBA Express loans can close faster but have lower guarantee percentages.
What credit score do I need for an SBA loan?
SBA does not set a single minimum credit score. Lenders apply their own credit policies, and many set a minimum score of their own. Business credit history and overall financial profile matter as well.
Can I use an SBA loan to buy a business?
Yes. SBA 7(a) loans are commonly used for business acquisitions and include goodwill in the financing, which conventional lenders typically won't fund.
Keep Exploring
Related Programs
Ready to Move Forward
Check SBA Eligibility
No cost. No obligation. A direct conversation about whether this program fits your deal.