The affordability of Small Business Administration (SBA) loan rates attracts many small businesses that may not otherwise be able to obtain affordable financing. Whether you are considering an SBA 7(a) loan, Express loan, microloan, or Community Development Company (CDC)/504 loan, the SBA loan rates you receive will likely be more affordable than most other financing options.
Current SBA Loan Rates
SBA Loan Type | Current SBA Loan Interest Rates as of January 1, 2020 |
|---|---|
SBA 7(a) Loan Rates | 7.25% to 9.75% |
SBA Express Loan Rates | 9.50% to 11.50% |
CDC Portion of CDC/504 Loan Rates | 3.75% to 4.06% |
SBA Microloan Rates | 6.5% to 13% |
Click Here For Exact Rates & See if You Qualify
Typical SBA Loan Qualifications
Qualification requirements for SBA loans vary by lender, with only basic requirements set by the SBA. However, the typical requirements include having a credit score of at least 680 and annual revenues of at least $100,000. Although there are exceptions, and new businesses are sometimes eligible for SBA startup loans, the general qualification requirements also include having at least two years of business operations.
The typical qualification requirements you can expect with most SBA loans are:
- Time in business: At least two years
- Credit score: At least 680
- Loan amount: Seeking at least $30,000
- Annual revenue: At least $100,000 in revenues for the past 12 months
- Profitability: Your business must be profitable
Exact qualification requirements for SBA loans vary between lenders. This means that it may be worthwhile to inquire with a lender before going through the SBA loan application process with any particular lender.
Do You Qualify for an SBA Loan?
Current SBA 7(a) Loan Interest Rates and Explanation
The Small Business Administration (SBA) sets the maximum interest rates that banks can charge on SBA 7(a) loans. The current maximum interest rate ranges from 7.25% to 9.75%, depending on the size of the loan and the amount being borrowed.
The maximum interest rates on SBA 7(a) loans are based on market interest rates. As market interest rates change, so will the maximum interest rates on these loans.
Maximum SBA 7(a) Loan Rates for January 2020
| Loan Size | Standard 7a (Repayment Term Less Than 7 Years) | Standard 7a (Repayment Term Greater than 7 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Less Than $25,000 | 9.00% (4.75% base rate + 4.25% markup) | 9.75% (4.75% base rate + 4.75% markup) |
| $25,000-$50,000 | 8.25% (4.75% base rate + 3.25% markup) | 8.75% (4.75% base rate + 3.75% markup) |
| More Than $50,000 | 7.25% (4.75% base rate + 2.25% markup) | 7.75% (4.75% base rate + 2.75% markup) |
Our SBA loan calculator can help you estimate what your monthly payments would be on an SBA 7(a) based on these SBA loan interest rates, and the amount you need to borrow.
How SBA 7(a) Loan Rates Are Determined
The maximum interest rate on SBA 7(a) loans is based on three factors:
- A base rate (one of the following publicly available interest rate measures): prime rate, London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) (one month) + 3.0%, or SBA PEG Rate
- The term of the loan: Fewer than seven years or greater than seven years. For example, three and five-year loans would all fall into the same category of fewer than seven years.
- The size of the loan: Less than $25,000, $25,000 to $49,999, and more than $50,000. For example, loans of $30,000 and $45,000 will fall in the same category.
SBA Express Loan Rates
SBA Express loans are a subset of the SBA 7(a) loan program. It offers a faster approval process than a standard SBA 7(a) loan. However, this convenience is offset by a higher interest rate. Maximum interest rates for SBA Express loans currently range from 10% to 12%.
The maximum interest rates for SBA Express loans are:
- Loans up to $50,000 (prime + 6.5%)
- Loans over $50,000 (prime + 4.5%)
SBA Express loans carry a higher interest rate for similar size amounts and terms than the standard SBA 7(a) loan. We recommend avoiding SBA Express loans as firms like SmartBiz can provide approval for the standard SBA 7(a) loan program with similar turnaround times.
Fixed vs Variable SBA Loan Interest Rates
SBA 7(a) loans can have a fixed or variable interest rate. With a fixed-rate business loan, the loan interest rate remains constant throughout the life of the loan. With a variable-rate loan, the interest rate on the loan can change―often referred to as a reset―at regular intervals, such as quarterly or monthly.
With variable-rate SBA 7(a) loans, the rate is reset based on one of three publicly available market interest rate numbers, plus a fixed percentage. The interest rate must always be at or below the maximum interest rate set by the SBA. For smaller size SBA loans―those less than $500,000―banks tend to offer only variable-rate loans, with interest rates at or close to the maximum allowable by the SBA.
The Base Rate and Interest Rate Resets
Banks can choose one of three market interest rate measures as their base rate. These are the prime rate, LIBOR + 3.0%, or the SBA Peg rate. While there are small differences between these rates, they tend to track each other very closely. The prime rate is the one that’s most commonly used.
Rate Type | Current Rate as of January 1, 2020 |
|---|---|
4.75% | |
5.06% | |
2.13% |
SBA 7(a) Loan Fees
In addition to the SBA loan interest rates charged on SBA 7(a) loans, there are also several fees you may encounter with this loan type. These additional fees include packaging fees that can cost as much as $4,000 or more, servicing fees of up to 2% of the loan amount, closing costs, and prepayment fees.
You can also be charged other SBA 7(a) loan fees such as:
- Packaging fee: Up to $4,000, this fee varies by lender. However, it cannot exceed the amount charged for similarly sized non-SBA-guaranteed loans
- Extraordinary servicing fee: Up to 2% of the loan amount may be charged if your account will require extra work on the part of the lender, such as monitoring a construction project
- Closing costs: All direct costs related to the loan like title fees, appraisal fees, environmental report fees, attorney fees, and business valuation fees
- Prepayment fee: On SBA 7(a) loans with terms of 15 years or greater, your lender can charge you a prepayment fee if you prepay more than 25% of your loan in the first three years.
Current SBA Loan Rates On Real CDC/504 Loans
The SBA sets the maximum interest that banks can charge on SBA CDC/504 loans. The maximum interest rates on CDC/504 loans are tied to market interest rates and are based on the amount being borrowed.
A CDC/504 loan is composed of two loans:
- Bank loan: A loan from a financial institution (bank) for typically 50% of the price of the property, equipment, and building upgrades.
- CDC loan: A loan from a CDC―a nonprofit organization―for 40% of the price.
The remaining 10% is a down payment from the borrower. The SBA does not set the interest rates on the bank portion of the loan. However, the interest rates on these loans tend to be very low, currently capping out at roughly 10%. Because the bank loan is senior to the CDC loan, and the loan is backed by real estate, there is a low risk that the bank will not be able to get back the money it loans. The low-risk is reflected in the low-interest rates.
Current Maximum Interest Rates CDC Loan
Term of Loan | Treasury Rate | Fixed Rate | Ongoing Fees | Maximum Interest Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Years | 5-year Treasury (currently 1.67%) | 0.38% | 1.7% (approximate) | 3.75% (1.67% 5-year Treasury rate + 0.38% fixed rate + 1.7% ongoing fees) |
| 20 Years | 10-year Treasury (currently 1.88%) | 0.48% | 1.7% (approximate) | 4.06% (1.80% 10-year Treasury rate + 0.48% fixed rate + 1.7% ongoing fees) |
*Using Treasury rates for January 1, 2020.
Unlike an SBA 7(a) loan that may have a variable rate, the loan rates for the CDC portion of an SBA 504 loan are fixed for the life of the loan and will not go up or down. The portion of the loan provided by the bank, credit union, or nonbank lender does not need to be fixed. It may have a variable rate, a balloon payment, and so on.
SBA CDC/504 Loan Fees
In addition to the SBA loan interest rates on an SBA CDC/504 loan, there are also some fees to be aware of. These fees include the CDC servicing fee, the central servicing agent fee, and the SBA guarantee fee. These fees are charged on the loan in addition to the interest rate.
Current SBA Loan Interest Rates on SBA Microloans
Loan amounts for SBA microloans cannot exceed $50,000, and repayment periods cannot extend beyond six years as the SBA sets these thresholds. Interest rates for microloans vary by lender.
The current SBA loan interest rates for microloans generally range from 6.5% and 13%.
SBA Microloan Fees
Beyond the interest rate, there are some additional fees you may encounter with an SBA microloan. These fees include application fees, loan processing fees, and closing costs. Fees for SBA microloans vary by lender, and not all lenders will charge all of the fees listed.
SBA microloans are offered by intermediaries referred to as SBA microlenders. These SBA microlenders are typically area nonprofit organizations with experience in small business lending and technical assistance. The SBA maintains a list of all current SBA microlenders, making it easy for you to find a lender in your state.
SBA vs Conventional Small Business Loan Rates
In general, SBA loan rates will be higher than the interest rates offered by traditional banks. On average, conventional small business loans rates range between 3% to 6%. While conventional business loan rates are lower than SBA rates, one of the eligibility requirements for an SBA loan is that you are unable to obtain credit elsewhere.
Many banks are not interested in making loans of less than $300,000 to small businesses. The portion of business loans that banks make that are less than $1 million has been shrinking for decades. The SBA guarantee against nonpayment makes these loans less risky and potentially more profitable for banks. Without an SBA guarantee, these loans would probably not be financed at all.
Bottom Line
With the variety of loan programs offered by the SBA, there are many opportunities for small businesses to consolidate debt or find a loan that meets their small business needs. Affordable SBA loan rates, coupled with favorable repayment terms, make them an attractive financing option for small businesses.
If you need an SBA 7(a) loan of $350,000 or less, SmartBiz has a streamlined application process that allows you to prequalify online in minutes. If you have a credit score of at least 680 and two years of business operations, you may qualify. If approved, SmartBiz can provide SBA loan funding in as little as 30 days.
Larry Mentor
Is there a life cap on the 7a adjustable loan tied to prime. What is the floor and also the life cap?
Tricia Tetreault
Hi Larry,
The SBA does not mandate a life cap on an adjustable rate 7(a) loan. It sets the maximum allowable rate based on loan amount for any given period (i.e. your lender can not charge you an interest rate beyond the prime+ value at that time). If you are concerned about the adjustable interest rate becoming unaffordable in the future, the life cap and floor would need to be negotiated with your lender prior to acceptance of the loan agreement.
Mike Carr
Does the SBA 7a loan requirements allow a distribution to the borrower for working capital
Thank you
Mike
Dennis Shirshikov
Hi Mike,
Thank you for asking.
The SBA 7a loan is specifically for business purposes.
You can use the loan in order to cover your business working capital expenses.
However, you should not use your loan proceeds for personal expenses.
For more information see our article on SBA 7a Loans
All the best,
Dennis Shirshikov
Frederick Bryan
Is it possible to start a new business, buy property, equipment and build a manufacturing plant from scratch without putting any money down on an SBA loan for 750k ?
Jeff White
Hi Frederick!
Pretty much all SBA loans require a minimum of 10% down for you to get approved. It will be difficult to get any business loan for $750k without either putting a percent down or securing it with a substantial amount of collateral, like using real estate you own. Good luck!
ahmed
i have a towing business can i get an SBA lone for a property i want to buy for my business thank you
Dock David Treece
Hi Ahmed,
Great question. You may be able to qualify for an SBA loan to buy your property. You’ll need to pay certain fees if you decide to go that route, and you’ll still need to come up with the down payment. However, a broker can probably give you a better idea of whether your business will qualify after reviewing the specifics of your business.
Good luck!
Dock
V Crow
What would the rate be for the purchase of a 30 year old consulting business for 2,145,000 pay back in 10 years? Having met all of the SBA stipulations, of course..
Jeff White
Hello! The rate will depend fall into the ranges we’ve provided, which can change from month to month. You can check out our SBA loan calculator to have a better understanding of what your payments might look like. Good luck!
Best,
Jeff