The flagship SBA loan guarantee program.

Can Use Loan For
Expansion/renovation; new construction, purchase land or buildings; purchase equipment, fixtures, lease-hold improvements; working capital; refinance debt for compelling reasons; seasonal line of credit, inventory or starting a business.

​

Length of Loan

• Up to 10 years;

• Up to 25 years or useful life for equipment,

• Up to 25 years for real estate.

Smaller loans with faster turnaround. Currently the most popular SBA loan program in terms of total amounts funded. Both term loans and lines of credit available.

Can Use Loan For
Same purposes as 7(a)

​

Length of Loan
For term loans, same as 7(a); lines of credit (LOCs) up to 10 years including a term out period where no additional funds can be drawn.

Designed to help businesses meet short-term and cyclical working capital needs.

Includes four programs:

1. Working Capital

2. Contract

3. Seasonal

4. Builders

​

Can Use Loan For

(Numbers correspond to programs above)

1. For short-term working capital and operating needs.

2. Finance the cost of specific contracts, sub-contracts, or purchase orders.

3. Finance seasonal increases of accounts receivable and inventory.

4. Finance direct expenses related to construction and/or “substantial” renovation costs of a specific eligible project (residential or commercial buildings for resale).

​

Length of Loan
For term loans, same as 7(a); lines of credit (LOCs) up to 10 years (5 years for Builder's CAPLines) including a term out period where no additional funds can be drawn.

Financing to help small businesses enter and expand into international markets and when adversely affected by import competition, make investments needed to better compete.

Can Use Loan For
Term loan for permanent working capital, equipment, facilities, land and buildings, and debt refinance related to international trade.

Length of Loan
Same as 7(a)

Short-term, working-capital loans for exporters.

​

Can Use Loan For
Purchase inventory for export or to manufacture items for export; working capital directly related to export activities; foreign accounts receivables and invoice financing; to support standby letters of credit; may include refinancing.

​

Length of Loan
Generally one year, but may go up to 3 years.

Helps small businesses develop or expand their export markets with streamlined financing.

​

Can Use Loan For

Virtually any use that will help the business enter or grow the export market; may include debt refinancing.

​

Length of Loan

Term loans have same maturities as SBA Express; lines of credit up to 7 years.

Loans made through partnerships with Certified Development Companies (CDCs) and private lenders. Typically structured where SBA provides 40% of total project costs, lender covers up to 50%; borrower contributes 10-20%.

​

Can Use Loan For

Long-term, fixed-asset loans to purchase existing buildings; purchase land and land improvements; construction of new facilities or modernizing, renovating or converting existing facilities; purchase of long-term machinery; or refinancing of debt in connection with an expansion of the business through new or renovated facilities or equipment.

Pilot program that offers loans through mission-oriented lenders— primarily nonprofit financial intermediaries focused on economic development. Focus on business owners in underserved markets.

​

Can Use Loan For
Any normal business purpose except lines of credit. May be used to refinance debt if specific requirements are met.

​

Length of Loan
10 years for working capital;
10 years or the useful life of equipment;
25 years for real estate

Small loans made by non-profit community-based organizations. May include technical assistance.

​

Can Use Loans For

Working capital, supplies, machinery, and equipment, fixtures, etc. May be used to refinance debt to improve cash flow.

​

Length of Loan

Shortest term possible, no longer than 6 years.