# How much of an SBA Express loan does SBA guarantee?

**Short answer:** SBA guarantees 50% of an SBA Express loan at every loan size (SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 16, Para. B.2). Most other 7(a) loans carry 85% on loans of $150,000 or less and 75% on larger loans.

Canonical page: https://www.sbaexpress.loans/answers/sba-express-guaranty-percentage/
Last checked: 2026-11-08

SBA guarantees 50% of an SBA Express loan, whatever the loan size. Appendix 16, Para. B.2 of SOP 50 10 8.1 sets that single percentage for the whole program.

## Why it is lower than other 7(a) loans

SBA's lender page explains the trade. SBA Express lenders use mostly their own processes and procedures, and in exchange they accept a lower guaranty (sba.gov/sba-lenders, read November 8, 2026). Most other 7(a) loans carry 85% on loans of $150,000 or less and 75% on larger loans (Appendix 16, Para. A.1).

## What the percentage affects

- The lender's risk. If the business defaults, SBA's guarantee requires SBA to purchase its portion of the outstanding balance, subject to conditions (13 CFR 120.2(a)(2)).
- The upfront fee. SBA charges it on the guaranteed portion, so the fee base is 50% of the loan (Sec. A, Ch. 4, Para. C.1.a.i).
- SBA's exposure limit. The guaranteed amount counts toward the $3,750,000 cap for you and your affiliates (Appendix 16, Para. B.2).

## What it does not affect

The guaranty does not reduce what you owe. It also does not set a lender's credit standards, which vary by lender.

Export Express is a separate program with a higher guaranty of 90% or 75%, depending on loan size (Appendix 16, Para. B.5).

## Sources

- [SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 16, Paras. A.1 (p. 387) and B.2 (Para. B begins p. 388)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [13 CFR § 120.2(a)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/section-120.2)
- [SBA, Terms, conditions and eligibility for 7(a) lenders, sba.gov/sba-lenders (read November 8, 2026)](https://www.sba.gov/sba-lenders)