# How does a Working Capital CAPLine compare to SBA Express?

**Short answer:** A Working Capital CAPLine can reach $5,000,000, while an SBA Express line stops at $500,000. The CAPLine carries closer collateral monitoring and a larger guaranty. The SBA Express line runs on the lender's own procedures (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Chs. 2, 4).

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Last checked: 2026-11-09

A Working Capital CAPLine is larger and more closely monitored. An SBA Express line is smaller and runs on the lender's own procedures (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Chs. 2 and 4).

## Side by side

- Maximum: $5,000,000 for a CAPLine. $500,000 for SBA Express.
- Guaranty: 85% on loans of $150,000 or less and 75% on larger loans for a CAPLine. 50% for SBA Express (Appendix 16).
- Credit decision: SBA or a Preferred Lender Program (PLP) lender for a CAPLine. The SBA Express lender alone for SBA Express.
- Term: 10 years, with up to 120 months of revolving, for a CAPLine. 10 years, including any term-out period, for SBA Express (Appendix 17).
- Coverage: at least 1.15 historical or projected, and 1:1 global, for a CAPLine (Ch. 4, Para. C.2). No fixed ratio on most SBA Express loans (Ch. 2, Para. C.2.b).
- Collateral above $50,000: a first lien on receivables and inventory, or 1:1 coverage, for a CAPLine (Appendix 19, Para. B.5). Lender policy for SBA Express (Para. B.3).
- Monitoring: borrowing base reports, annual reviews and field exams at $1,000,000 or more for a CAPLine (Ch. 4, Para. F; Information Notice 5000-882227, p. 3).

## Servicing fees

At an annual review, a lender may charge over 2% in extraordinary servicing fees on a Working Capital CAPLine run through a borrowing base. The fee must be reasonable and no higher than on the lender's similar non-SBA loans (Ch. 4, Para. D).

## A third option

The 7(a) Working Capital Pilot offers lines up to $5,000,000, effective August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2027 (89 FR 57353).

## Sources

- [SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Chs. 2 (p. 125) and 4 (p. 144)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendices 16, 17 and 19](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [89 FR 57353 (July 15, 2024), 7(a) Working Capital Pilot](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-07-15/pdf/2024-15313.pdf)
- [SBA Information Notice 5000-882227, p. 3 (Sept. 25, 2026)](https://legacy.sba.gov/document/information-notice-5000-882227-issuance-technical-updates-sop-50-10-81)