SBA loans are a great way to fund working capital and other business expenses. They are partially guaranteed by the Small Business Administration and designed to be affordable for small businesses. But they may take more time and be more difficult to qualify for than loans not backed by the SBA.

What is an SBA loan?

An SBA loan is a term loan or line of credit offered by a bank, credit union or alternative lender and backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). There are multiple types, but all are designed to cover working capital, expansion and large purchases for small businesses.

How do SBA loans work?

In some ways, SBA loans work like conventional business loans. You apply through a lender, and if approved, you’ll receive funds that must be paid back at fixed intervals.

SBA loans tend to be more affordable and have more favorable terms like longer repayment periods and lower credit score requirements than other business loans.

Why are SBA loans more affordable than other business loans

These loans are more affordable because most SBA loans are backed by the federal government, which provides an SBA loan guarantee. Depending on the type of loan, the SBA may take on anywhere from up to 50 percent to 90 percent of the borrower’s debt if they fail to pay back the loan.

Any business owner who owns at least 20 percent of the business must also provide an unlimited personal guarantee, meaning a lender can go after your assets if you default on the loan. And since the guarantee is unlimited, a lender could also take enough assets to cover the full loan amount, interest and even legal fees.

You’ll also likely need to provide a down payment of 10 percent to 30 percent. With all these assurances, a lender takes on less risk providing a loan, which is why SBA loan rates and terms are more favorable.

How long does it take to get an SBA loan?

Most SBA loans take a considerable amount of time to process. All told, it can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days to receive funds. Loans from a lender who is a part of the SBA’s Preferred Lender Program tend to be faster since they do not require SBA approval before moving forward with the process.

Types of SBA loans

There are many types of SBA loans. Here’s a look at the most common types.

SBA loan type Purpose
7(a) loans Almost any purpose – working capital, payroll, expansion, equipment
504 loans Long-term financing for real estate and large equipment
Microloans Working capital, inventory, supplies, equipment
Express loans Faster response times
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) To cover expenses that would have been met had a disaster not occurred
CAPLines To help with bidding on specific contracts or cover seasonal expenses

7(a) loans

Loan amount Up to $5 million
Maximum SBA guarantee 85% of loans under $150,000, 75% for loans over $150,000
Repayment terms 5 to 10 years for working capital loans, 25 years for real estate loans
Down payment 10%

SBA 7(a) loans are the most common option for business owners. Though some might require collateral, they are generally unsecured and are designed for working capital expenses. But you can use the funding for whatever your business needs, like payroll, expansion or new equipment.

The SBA caps both fixed and variable rates, and in many cases, they can be lower than the interest rates for other types of business loans.

Express loans

Loan amount $500,000
Maximum SBA guarantee 50%
SBA Approval time 36 hours
Repayment terms Up to 7 years for revolving lines of credit, 5 to 10 years for working capital loans, 25 years for real estate loans
Down payment 10%

Express loans are a type of 7(a) loan.  They are functionally the same as 7(a), but the application process is expedited for quick funding. While it can sometimes take one to five days for the SBA to process its portion of the application, an SBA Express loan provides a faster turnaround time of 36 hours or less.

504 loans

Loan amount Up to $5.5 million
Maximum SBA guarantee Up to 40%
Repayment terms Up to 7 years for revolving lines of credit, 5 to 10 years for working capital loans, 25 years for real estate loans
Down payment 10%

The 504 SBA loan program is long-term financing for constructing or purchasing buildings, land and large equipment or machinery. They are funded through Certified Development Companies (CDCs), which are certified by the SBA.

The SBA has a tool to find a local CDC. A 504 loan will also be partially funded by a third-party lender, which will set the loan’s primary terms and interest rates.

Microloans

Loan amount Up to $50,000
Maximum SBA guarantee N/A
Repayment terms Up to six years
Down payment None

Microloans are the smallest funding option offered by the SBA.

Like 7(a) loans, SBA microloans are meant for working capital and other expenses like inventory, supplies and equipment. They cannot be used to repay existing debts or for real estate.

While they are open to every small business, they are geared toward underrepresented groups, such as woman- or minority-owned businesses.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Loan amount Up to $2 million
Maximum SBA guarantee N/A
Interest rates Not to exceed 4%
Repayment terms Up to 30 years
Down payment None

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are meant to help companies impacted by a disaster in a declared disaster area. They’re available to small businesses, agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofits.

The SBA will offer funding at low interest rates with the amount you can borrow determined by your actual economic injury and financial needs. Loans over $25,000 require some form of collateral, preferably real estate.

CAPLines

Loan amount Up to $5 million
Maximum SBA guarantee 85% of loans under $150,000, 75% for loans over $150,000
Repayment terms Up to 10 years; up to 5 years for Builders CAPLine
Down payment 10%

SBA CAPLines are lines of credit that come in four different forms:

  • Seasonal CAPLine: Used for financing seasonal increases in costs, such as inventory or labor.
  • Contract CAPLine: Used to help finance the labor and material costs of specific assignable contracts
  • Builders CAPLine: Used to finance labor and material costs for a contract or builder renovating or constructing a building.
  • Working CAPline: Designed for businesses that can’t meet long-term credit standards.

SBA interest rates

SBA loan rates vary by lender but are based on the daily prime rate plus a set rate determined by your lender, which can’t exceed predetermined rates set by the SBA. Here’s a look at the maximum variable rates for select SBA loan types, calculated using the SBAs set rates added to a current prime rate of 8.25 percent. For more information on how rates are set, check out our guide on SBA loan rates.

7(a) loans and CAPLines

SBA loan size Loan paid off in under 7 years Loan paid off in 7+ years
$25,000 or less 12.50% 13%
$25,001 to $50,000 11.50% 12%
Over $50,000 10.50% 11%

Rates current as of May 2023; calculated with current prime rate of 8.25%.

SBA Express loans

SBA loan size Maximum interest rate
$50,000 or less 14.75%
Over $50,000 12.75%

Rates current as of May 2023; calculated with current prime rate of 8.25%.

Pros and cons of SBA loans

SBA loans are one of the best funding options available because of the cap on interest rates and the reduced risk to business owners. But that doesn’t mean they’re a good fit for everyone. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of SBA loans.

Pros of SBA loans

  • Open to a variety of businesses
  • Capped interest rates
  • Limited fees
  • Access to multiple resources

Cons of SBA loans

  • Strict eligibility requirements
  • Down payment and collateral may be necessary
  • Application can be time-consuming

How to qualify for an SBA loan

Because an SBA business loan is offered through an individual lender, requirements vary widely. Eligibility depends on your business’s industry, size and ability to repay. Your business will have to meet the small business size standard for its industry; depending on the loan type, there may be caps on the number of employees, net worth and income.

That said, the SBA has a few basic requirements. You must be a for-profit business that operates in the U.S. The person or people applying for the loan must have equity in the business.

How to apply for an SBA loan

Although the SBA guarantees its loans, you still apply for these loans like you would with any other business loan.

  1. Check eligibility requirements. To qualify for an SBA loan, you will need to meet common eligibility requirements — in addition to having good personal credit and strong revenue.
  2. Find a lender. Use the SBA’s Lender Match Tool to find a lender that fits your business’s needs. Since some lenders may have other criteria your business needs to meet, check with them before you apply.
  3. Gather your documents. As with any loan, you must provide financial and legal documents. Tax returns, profit and loss statements, a business plan and other information are frequently required when you apply.
  4. Submit the application. SBA loans typically take longer to process than other business loans. Because they are more involved, double-check your application before submitting and ensure you have all your documents in order. It may take between 30 and 90 days to be approved and funded.

FAQs about SBA loans

  • Yes. While the SBA offers some grants, its loans do have to be repaid. Terms range from six to 25 years.

  • The SBA makes qualifying easier than most traditional lenders by offering lower credit score minimums and guarantees to reduce lenders’ risk. This allows them to offer longer repayment terms and better interest rates.

  • Your business will need to be profitable and have steady revenue. Each business owner will need to have good finances and financial history as well as a good to excellent credit score.