Loan Amount
Up to $5M
Estimated Repayment Terms
5 - 25 years
Interest Rate
Starting @ 7.25%
Speed of Funding
As fast as 5 days
SBA Loans: Your Solution to Affordable Long-Term Financing
There’s no doubt about it: obtaining long-term small business financing is challenging. In fact, according to a recent NSBA survey, financing remains elusive for 1 out of 4 small business owners—particularly at large banks, where the number of firms relying on bank-backed loans has hovered at just 15 percent.
So what options do you have when you aim to expand operations and grow, but you don’t have the capital on hand to do it? Enter SBA loans. Through a suite of government-backed products that reduce risk for lenders, small business owners can access affordable long-term financing.
How Do SBA Loans Work?
SBA loans are exclusive to small business owners, partially guaranteed by the Small Business Administration and issued by participating lenders according to SBA-defined guidelines.
Should a borrower default on their loan, the SBA reimburses the lender up to 85 percent of the loan amount. This guarantee effectively lowers the risk lenders assume when working with small business owners.
As a result, participating creditors consider a larger pool of applicants and offer competitive terms. All this translates into greater access to long-term financing, lower interest rates, longer repayment periods and affordable monthly payments.
Types of SBA Loans
There are several SBA loan programs available. What’s right for you will depend on your need.
7(a) Loan Program
When most small business owners think of an “SBA loan,” this is the program that comes to mind. Its popularity is due to its flexibility, as SBA 7(a) loans have few limitations.
Funds can be used for almost any business purpose, whether you require working capital to sustain your operations, a loan to refinance existing debt or cash to invest in the expansion of your business.
There are different loan programs under the SBA 7(a) umbrella. Here are three of the most popular:
Standard 7(a) Loans
You can borrow up to $5 million through the standard SBA 7(a) loan program. Interest rates are negotiable, and loans typically reach maturity in 7 years or 25 years depending on how the money is used.
The SBA guarantees 75 percent for loans greater than $150,000 or 85 percent for loans up to $150,000. Interest rates are most often variable based on Prime plus an additional lender rate.
The amount of time it takes to finalize a standard SBA loan (from application to funding) varies by lender, but you can expect the process to take a minimum of 60 to 90 days.
Key Considerations:
- Loan Amount: Up to $5 million
- Interest Rate: Prime (+ a maximum of 4.75% in lender interest)
- Term: 7-25 years
- Time-to-Funding: 60-90 days
SBA Express Loans
The SBA funding process is notoriously lengthy. As the name implies, the SBA Express Loan short-cuts this process. When you submit an SBA Express Loan application, you’ll receive a decision from your lender within 36 hours. And funds are deposited within your business bank account in as little as 30 days.
The trade-off for this speed is less borrowing potential and higher interest rates. Through the SBA Express program, you can acquire up to $350,000 over a 5- to 10-year term. The SBA will back up to 50-percent of this amount and lenders can tack on an additional 4.5 to 6.5 percent in interest depending on the amount borrowed.
Key Considerations:
- Loan Amount: Up to $350k
- Interest Rate: Prime (+ a maximum of 6.5% in lender interest)
- Term: 5-10 years
- Time-to-Funding: 30-60 days
SBA Lines of Credit (CAPLines)
CAPLines are ideal for business owners with short-term and cyclical working capital needs. Credit lines go up to $5 million and are available with a maximum repayment term of 10 years. There are 5 distinct lines of credit offered under this program. They are the Seasonal, Contract, Builders, Asset and Working Capital CAPLines.
Funds from each program are expense-specific, meaning they can only be used to fund projects that fall within the credit line’s classification. For example, funds from a Seasonal CAPLine cannot be used to finance storefront renovations.
Key Considerations:
- Loan Amount: Up to $5 million
- Interest Rate: Prime (+ a maximum of 4.75% in lender interest)
- Term: Not to exceed 10 years (5 years for Builders CAPLine)
- Time-to-Funding: 60-90 days
CDC/504 Loans
The second most popular type of SBA loan is the CDC/504 program. You should consider this program if you’re looking to acquire or improve a major fixed asset, such as land, real estate or equipment.
SBA CDC/504 programs are unique in the way they’re structured. A lender partners with a certified development company (CDC) —a specialized non-profit corporation—to finance a loan request. In this agreement, a lender funds 50 percent of the total project cost and the CDC funds 40 percent, with the borrower responsible for the remaining 10 percent as a down payment. The SBA backs only the CDC portion of the loan.
There is no maximum loan amount for this program, but the SBA does set a limit for what the CDC can contribute, and thus, what it’s willing to guarantee. That maximum is $5 million.
The interest rates on the lender-portion of the loan is negotiated between the lender and the borrower, and is subject to an interest rate cap. The rates on the CDC portion are based on the current 5- or 10-year Treasury rate.
Key Considerations:
- Loan Amount: Unlimited
- Interest Rate: Negotiable (third-party lender)/ 5- or 10-year Treasury + 0.38% – 0.48% (CDC)
- Term: 10 or 20 years
- Time-to-Funding: 60-180 days
SBA Micro Loans
Many entrepreneurs—particularly solopreneurs—require only a few thousand dollars to finance a project. If this describes you, consider an SBA micro loan.
What is a micro loan? In short, SBA micro loans are issued by non-profit, community-based organizations with experience in lending. You can borrow up to $50,000, but the average micro loan issued is $13,000.
Though SBA-backed micro loans can be used to fund a variety of projects, they cannot be used to acquire real estate or to refinance existing debt.
Interest rates vary, but in general, fall with the 8- to 13-percent range.
Key Considerations:
- Loan Amount: Up to $50,000
- Interest Rate: 8% – 13%
- Term: 6 years
- Time-to-Funding: 30-60 days
Is an SBA Loan Right for Your Business?
Low interest rates and long terms are the hallmarks of SBA financing, making it an attractive financing prospect for any small business owner. But they’re not for everyone.
Consider an SBA loan if:
- You’re not in a hurry
- You have good credit, but don’t qualify for a traditional long-term bank loan
- You care about costs
Look elsewhere if:
- You’re pressed for time
- You have bad credit
What Are SBA Loan Requirements and Do You Qualify?
SBA lenders will only extend capital to small businesses they deem “financially healthy.” What characteristics embody this classification?
For starters, a good credit score. Business owners need a personal credit score of 650 or better to qualify for an SBA loan.
Second, an established business history. Though some SBA loans (like the micro loan) are suitable for startups, most lenders require at least 2 years of business history.
Additionally, an applicant must demonstrate a history of positive cash flow, with enough capital on hand to sustain operations and cover monthly SBA loan payments and other debt obligations.
Your track record must also be free of recent bankruptcies or foreclosures, as well as open tax liens.
Do You Qualify?
Based on previously approved borrowers, you’re likely to qualify if:
- You’ve been in business 2 or more years.
- Your annual revenue is $75k or higher.
- Your credit score is 650 or better.
How to Apply for an SBA Loan?
Through our simple and secure application, small business owners, like you, are paired with SBA Express lenders across the country whose requirements match your business’s qualification profile.
The process is streamlined, uncomplicated—and most importantly—fast.
Step 1: Tell us about your business.
Fill out a few basic questions about your business so that we can connect you with the best lenders.
Step 2: Tell us about you.
We need to learn about you so we can determine your eligibility without impacting your credit score.
Step 3: Connect your bank account.
Your revenue data enables us to match you to funding opportunities at the speed of modern business.
Step 4: Get funded.
On average, SBA funds are deposited into your bank account in 30 days.
Some documents you need are:
The best strategy to follow before you apply is to be prepared. The following is a checklist of commonly required documentation:
- Copy of Your Driver’s License
- Bank Statements
- Voided Business Check
- Personal & Business Tax Returns
- Profit & Loss Statement
- Business Debt Schedule
- Balance Sheet
What Will an SBA Loan Cost?
How much will an SBA loan cost you? The good news is, you’d be hard-pressed to find a program with more favorable terms. In fact, SBA loans tend to be the least expensive financing available to small business owners.
The amount you pay will depend on the program, the amount borrowed and the term.
For example, Fast Capital 360 partners all charge a variable interest rate starting at Prime plus 2.75 percent for an SBA Express loan up to $49,000. For loans over $150,000, interest rates are higher—Prime plus 3.75 percent.
Be aware that the SBA charges a guarantee fee of 1.7 percent for loans up to $150,000, and 2.25 percent for loans greater than $150,000. These fees are passed on to you, the borrower. Some partners also charge an origination fee or loan packaging fee.
Cost Example
Just how affordable can an SBA loan be? Let’s take a look at an example to find out.
Amount Borrowed:
$150,000
Interest Rate:
8.25%
Term:
10 Years
Monthly Payment:
$1,839.79
Total Repayment:
$220,774.73
Cost of Loan:
$70,774.73
What Will You Use Your SBA Loan For?
SBA loans have few restrictions, and loan proceeds can be used in a multitude of ways.
Explore SBA Loan Use Cases
Here are just a few examples of how you can run and grow your business with an SBA loan.
Working Capital
The cardinal rule of good business operations is to have enough cash in the bank at all times to cover day-to-day costs and other financial expenses (foreseen or otherwise). A long-term, low-interest SBA loan can provide a reserve of working capital deep enough to keep your company running and growing.
Debt Refinancing
If you’re currently paying off a number of high-interest loans, you can save big by refinancing. Replacing this expensive debt with a low-interest, long-term SBA loan can make a big difference for your bottom line. Your bank account and your cash flow will thank you.
Business Expansion
If you aim to expand, there are several ways to do it—from introducing a new product line to opening a location. Whatever the method, you’ll need capital to execute on your vision. Low-cost SBA loans can provide the cash you need without burdening your business with expensive debt.