Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans are the most common type of loan offered by the SBA. These are government-backed loans issued through participating lenders designated by the SBA. Loan proceeds can be used for various business purposes, including purchasing equipment, inventory, real estate, and other working capital needs.
You can choose from different types of 7(a) loan programs. The maximum amount of funding is typically $5 million, with repayment terms of up to 25 years for real estate and 10 years for working capital. To qualify, you’ll need to meet requirements that apply to all SBA loans, eligibility criteria unique to the 7(a) loan program, and lender-specific items.
How an SBA 7(a) loan works
You can choose from seven different types of loans in the SBA 7(a) loan program. Each has its own set of terms and qualification requirements, which we’ve summarized below. You can also learn more in our guide on the different types of SBA loans.
SBA 7(a) loan rates
Depending on the loan terms and lender, SBA 7(a) loan rates will vary. Your qualifications can also influence the rates and terms offered to you. However, the SBA sets limits for how much lenders can charge.
Below are the maximum rates for variable-rate and fixed-rate SBA 7(a) loans. Since rates fluctuate throughout the month, you can also view updated information in our guide on SBA loan rates.
SBA 7(a) qualification requirements
To get an SBA 7(a) loan, you’ll have to meet the various requirements imposed by both the SBA and the participating lender. Here are the general criteria you need to look out for:
SBA 7(a) loan terms on repayment
Most SBA 7(a) loan terms will allow a repayment length of up to 25 years for real estate, with working capital, machinery, and equipment terms of up to 10 years or the useful life of the equipment (not to exceed 15 years).
Certain types of 7(a) loans have different terms, and these exceptions are listed below:
- SBA Express: Up to 10 years on a revolving line of credit
- Export Express: Up to seven years on a revolving line of credit
- Export working capital: Up to 12 months on a revolving line of credit
- CAPLines: Up to 10 years
SBA 7(a) loan fees
Similar to how the SBA sets maximum applicable interest rates, it sets fee limits that lenders can charge when facilitating an SBA loan. Some fees can be included with your loan amount, so you won’t have to pay for them out of pocket. Fees can include the SBA guarantee, packaging, servicing, third-party, and prepayment fees.
SBA guarantee fee
SBA guarantee fees can range from 0% to 3.75%, depending on the characteristics of your loan, and are updated by the SBA annually. Lenders issuing SBA loans know that in the event of default, a portion of the losses will be covered by the SBA. To cover the likelihood of this happening, the SBA charges lenders this guarantee fee, which passes on the cost to its borrowers.
Loan amount | Percentage of loan guaranteed by the SBA | SBA guarantee fee for loans 12 months or less | SBA guarantee fee for loans greater than 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
$150,000 or less | 85% | 0% | 0% |
$1,000,000 or less | 75% | 0% | 0% |
$1,000,001 to $2,000,000 | 75% | 0.25% | 1.45% of the guaranteed portion of the loan up to $1,000,000, plus 1.70% of the guaranteed portion of the loan over $1,000,000 |
$2,000,001 to $5,000,000 | 75%, with a maximum of $3.75 million | 0.25% | 3.50% of the guaranteed portion of the loan up to $1,000,000, plus 3.75% of the guaranteed portion of the loan over $1,000,000 |
Packaging fee
Lenders may charge a packaging fee of around $2,000 to $4,000. This is meant to cover the costs of compiling all the documents needed for your loan application to be considered complete.
Extraordinary servicing fee
A servicing fee of up to 2% may apply depending on the complexity of your loan application or business circumstances. For example, this fee may apply if you are applying for a real estate loan for construction purposes that requires the lender to take extra steps to evaluate the project or value of the property.
Third-party fees
This can include costs for outside services needed to complete your loan. Some examples can include title fees, appraisal fees, environmental report fees, attorney fees, and business valuation fees.
Prepayment fee
SBA 7(a) loans with a repayment term greater than 15 years are subject to a prepayment penalty. If you pay more than 25% of your loan, you can be charged a fee of up to 5% in the first year, 3% in the second year, and 1% in the third year.
SBA 7(a) loan pros & cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Provides low interest rates | Can take 45 to 90-plus days to fund |
| Offers loan proceeds with few restrictions on allowable business uses | Involves a significant amount of paperwork during the application process |
| Has large loan amounts of up to $5 million and long repayment terms of up to 25 years | Can be difficult for startup businesses to qualify |
Who should get an SBA 7(a) loan
The 7(a) loan is the most common loan program the SBA offers and can be used for several business purposes. If you’re going to use the funds for any of the following, then this type of loan could be a good fit for you:
- Using it as working capital
- Purchasing equipment, machinery, fixtures, supplies, or materials
- Acquiring real estate, land, or buildings
- Financing improvements to an existing building
- Financing the costs associated with the construction of a new building
- Purchasing another business
- Establishing a new business
How to get an SBA 7(a) loan
Getting an SBA loan can require a fair amount of paperwork and effort. While it may seem overwhelming, it can be simplified into the four main steps we list below.
There are seven main types of loans in the 7(a) program. Each has its own set of terms, including maximum loan amounts, repayment terms, and allowable uses. The funding speed can also vary. You should consider these items carefully to select the loan that will best meet your business needs and budget.
Before you move forward with financing, consider your eligibility and ensure that you meet the minimum requirements. That said, being aware of the qualification requirements can give you an advantage in getting approved and preparing an application. If you know the lender’s expectations, you can better present yourself to not only get approved but also streamline the process.
Regardless of your eligibility, you’ll want to make sure you are comfortable with the minimum monthly payments. You can use our SBA 7(a) loan calculator to find out what your payments will be and how it could impact your business cash flow.
Be sure to review the general requirements that apply to all SBA loans, the items specific to the 7(a) loan you’re applying for, and any lender-specific items.
Participating lenders that offer SBA loans can include credit unions, banks, online lenders, and loan brokers. If you’re unsure where to look for a lender, you can start with our recommendations of the best SBA lenders.
You can also use the SBA’s online tool, SBA Lender Match. It’s designed to provide you with a list of lenders that fit your criteria based on the type of funding you need for your business.
Once you’ve chosen a lender that meets your business needs, submit a loan application and provide any requested supplemental documentation. SBA loans can involve a significant amount of paperwork, and commonly includes the following items:
- Tax returns
- Profit and loss statements
- Cash flow statements
- Balance sheets
- Business bank statements
- Business licenses and professional certifications
- Business plan (see our SBA business plan guide and template)
- Our guide on How to Get an SBA Loan offers more details on the process.
- Our article on How to Get a Small Business Loan contains tips on what lenders look for when reviewing your loan application and can help increase your odds of approval.
SBA 7(a) loan vs alternatives
Common alternatives to an SBA 7(a) loan include commercial real estate (CRE) loans, working capital loans, and the SBA 504 loan program. Depending on your business financing needs, these may have more favorable loan terms that better suit your needs or offer more flexible qualification requirements. In the case of CRE loans, you could also get approved and funded more quickly.
Below, we have a quick comparison of how the SBA 7(a) program compares with these alternatives. If you decide that a CRE loan might be a better fit for you, consider our recommendations for the best commercial real estate loans.
SBA 7(a) loan | SBA 504 loan | Typical CRE loan | Typical working capital loan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Typical interest rate |
| 6% to 6.5% | 8.5% to 12% | 7% to 80%-plus |
Required down payment | 10% | 10% | 0% to 25% | 0% to 10% |
Typical repayment term | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years | Up to 10 years |
Maximum loan amount | $5 million | $5.5 million | $5 million to $50 million-plus | $5 million |
Typical credit score requirement | 680 | 680 | 650-plus | 600-plus |
Funding speed | 45 to 90 days | 60 to 90 days | 30 to 60 days | 1 to 3 days |
DSCR | Typically 1.25× | Typically 1.25× | Typically 1.25× | N/A |
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Depending on your business financing needs, terms for an SBA 7(a) loan can vary. Generally, rates can be fixed or variable and range from 11.5% to 16.5%, with loan amounts of up to $5 million and repayment terms of up to 25 years.
Getting an SBA 7(a) loan typically has more qualification requirements than other loan types due to criteria imposed by both the SBA and the participating lender. As such, the difficulty of getting an SBA 7(a) loan can vary depending on the lender you choose and your qualifications with criteria such as credit scores, time in business, and annual revenue.
It typically takes between 45 to 90 days to get an SBA 7(a) loan. This depends on the complexity of your loan application, your business circumstances, how quickly you respond to a lender’s request for additional documentation, and the volume of applications being handled by your lender.
Bottom line
SBA 7(a) loans can be used for several business purposes, including real estate, working capital, inventory, and equipment. Since these loans are government-backed, they typically offer favorable rates and terms compared with other business loans. That said, they often have qualification criteria required of both the SBA and the lender which makes the process lengthy. Before pursuing an SBA 7(a) loan, review all the requirements to determine if it’s the best financing option for your business.
