What is the maximum interest rate on an SBA 7(a) loan?
Short answer
SBA caps variable 7(a) rates at Prime plus 3.0 to 6.5 percentage points, depending on loan size. The smallest loans carry the highest cap, and lenders can charge less. The limits are in 13 CFR § 120.214(d).
SBA sets four variable-rate caps by loan amount in 13 CFR § 120.214(d) and SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 18, Para. A.2. The live figures below use Prime of 7.00% as of Nov 10, 2026.
- $50,000 or less: Prime plus 6.5 percentage points, now 13.50%
- $50,001 to $250,000: Prime plus 6.0 percentage points, now 13.00%
- $250,001 to $350,000: Prime plus 4.5 percentage points, now 11.50%
- More than $350,000: Prime plus 3.0 percentage points, now 10.00%
How the cap works
The cap limits the starting Note rate and the rate after each later adjustment (Appendix 18, Policy on Variable Interest Rates). It is a spread over the base rate, so the ceiling rises and falls with Prime.
Your actual rate is negotiated with the lender and can sit below the cap. Pricing varies by lender.
Where the tiers apply
The Section B charts repeat these tiers for Standard 7(a), 7(a) Small, Manufacturers' Access to Revolving Credit (MARC), CAPLines, Export Express and International Trade loans. SBA does not prescribe a rate for Export Working CapitalMoney for day-to-day costs such as payroll, rent and inventory. Full definition Program loans, though it monitors them for reasonableness (Appendix 18, Para. B.7).
Fixed rates have a separate maximum. SBA posts it on its Fiscal Transfer Agent Wiki.
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