Government-guaranteed business loans

SBA loans for small business

SBA loans are made by approved lenders and partly guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, which makes longer terms and lower costs possible for qualified businesses. Check whether an SBA loan fits your business, or whether a faster option does.

Check My SBA Options Call 888-572-6737

No cost to check Soft check only SBA and faster options compared

Form 09A, SBA~60 sec

Check your SBA options

Tell us about your business. A funding specialist reviews your options and routes you to the full application.

Company website Business name*

First name*

Last name*

Mobile phone*

Email*

Requested amount*

Est. credit score*

Monthly revenue*

Time in business*

Funding purpose*

Your information is secure and never sold.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about business funding options by phone or email. SMS text messages are sent only if you check the box above. Credit approval, terms, rates, and funding amounts are subject to lender underwriting. This is not a guarantee of approval.

650+Minimum FICO

3+ yearsTime in business

7(a) & 504Main SBA programs

Soft checkNo hard pull to start

01What it is

What is an SBA loan?

An SBA loan is a business loan made by a bank or other approved lender and partly guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The SBA does not usually lend the money itself. Instead, it guarantees part of the loan, commonly up to 85% on 7(a) loans of $150,000 or less and up to 75% on larger ones. That guarantee reduces the lender's risk, which is why SBA loans can offer longer terms and lower costs than many other options, and why they are available to some businesses a bank would otherwise turn down.

SmallByzLoans is not a direct SBA lender. We help you understand whether an SBA loan is realistic, prepare the file, and match you with lenders, and we show you faster alternatives if the timing or requirements don't fit. For a deeper comparison, read SBA loan vs. bank loan.

02Programs

Types of SBA loans

Program	Typical use	Maximum	Term
7(a)	Working capital, equipment, refinancing, buying a business, real estate	$5 million	Up to 10 years; up to 25 for real estate
504	Owner-occupied real estate and long-life equipment	Set by program rules	10, 20, or 25 years
SBA Express	Smaller loans and lines of credit with faster SBA processing	$500,000	Similar to 7(a)
Microloan	Startups and small businesses needing smaller amounts	$50,000	Set by the intermediary lender

Program limits are set by the SBA and can change; confirm current terms with the lender and at sba.gov.

03Uses

What an SBA loan can be used for

Expansion: a new location, more staff, or larger inventory
Construction and renovation of business property
Refinancing existing business debt on better terms, where eligible
Land, buildings, equipment, and supplies
Buying an existing business or a partner's share
Working capital for day-to-day operations

04Requirements

SBA loan requirements

The SBA sets basic eligibility rules, and each lender adds its own credit standards on top.

Our SBA program minimums

650 minimum FICO credit score
3+ years in business
Loans over $350,000 require real estate collateral

General SBA eligibility

A for-profit business operating in the United States
Meets the SBA's size standards for your industry
Unable to get the same credit elsewhere on reasonable terms
Owners have invested their own time or money in the business

05Documents

What you'll need to apply

Last 6 months of business bank statements
A business debt schedule
2 years of business tax returns
Interim year-to-date financials: profit and loss statement and balance sheet

SBA lenders often ask for personal tax returns, a personal financial statement, and a business plan as well. See the full document checklist.

06Process

How the SBA loan process works

Check your options

Start with the 60-second form. A specialist reviews your credit, time in business, and revenue to see whether an SBA loan is realistic, or whether a faster program fits better.

Prepare the package

SBA loans are paperwork intensive. Your specialist tells you exactly which documents the lender will want so the file is complete the first time.

Lender underwriting

The SBA lender reviews your financials, repayment ability, and collateral. Preferred lenders can approve SBA loans without sending each file to the SBA, which is usually faster.

Approval and closing

Once approved, you review the terms, sign, and receive funds. From application to funding, SBA loans commonly take several weeks to a few months.

07Is it right for you?

Is an SBA loan right for your business?

It tends to fit when

You meet the credit and time-in-business minimums
Keeping cost low matters more than speed
You need a longer term for real estate, an acquisition, or major equipment
Your financial statements and tax returns are in order

Consider something else when

You need funds in days, not weeks; compare working capital
Your credit is below 650 or you have under 3 years in business; see business term loans
Your revenue is mostly card sales and you need speed; see revenue based financing

08Guides

SBA guides and related programs

SBA loan calculator7(a) and 504 payments with down payment Business acquisition calculatorPayments, seller note, and DSCR Debt service coverage ratioThe number lenders use to size your loan Loan to buy a businessSBA 7(a), seller financing, and equity SBA loan vs. bank loanHow the guarantee changes approval 7 types of business loansWhere SBA loans fit among your options Women-owned business loansPrograms and resources Veteran-owned business loansSBA and other options for veterans Minority-owned business loansSBA, CDFI, and MBDA resources Commercial real estate financingProperty purchase and refinance

09Questions

Frequently asked questions

Q01What can an SBA loan be used for?

SBA loans can be used for expansion, construction costs, refinancing, working capital, or purchases including land, equipment, supplies, and even existing businesses.

Q02Would I qualify for an SBA loan?

Our SBA program looks for a 650+ FICO score and 3+ years in business, and loans over $350,000 require real estate collateral. The SBA also requires that you can't get the same credit elsewhere on reasonable terms. If you don't qualify yet, a business term loan or working capital may be a faster fit.

Q03What types of businesses typically apply for SBA loans?

SBA loans suit both younger, growing businesses and established companies looking to maintain momentum, as long as they meet the SBA's size standards and eligibility rules.

Q04How long does it take to get an SBA loan?

Commonly several weeks to a few months from application to funding, depending on the program, the lender, and how complete your documents are. Preferred SBA lenders and SBA Express loans can move faster.

Q05Does the SBA lend money directly?

For most programs, no. Banks and other approved lenders make SBA loans and the SBA guarantees part of each loan. The main exception is SBA disaster loans.

Q06Is SmallByzLoans an SBA lender?

No. SmallByzLoans is a funding marketplace. We help you prepare and match you with lenders, and every approval is made by the lender.

Sources and further reading

Loans, U.S. Small Business Administration
7(a) loans, U.S. Small Business Administration
7(a) loan program terms, conditions, and eligibility, U.S. Small Business Administration
504 loans, U.S. Small Business Administration
Microloans, U.S. Small Business Administration
Lender Match, U.S. Small Business Administration

Financial disclaimer: This page is for general information and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. SmallByzLoans is a funding marketplace, not a lender. Approval, amounts, rates, and terms are set by each funding provider and are subject to underwriting.

10Ready when you are

Find out if an SBA loan fits your business

Start with the 60-second form. A specialist compares SBA options with faster programs so you can choose with the full picture.

Check My SBA Options Call 888-572-6737