# How is SBA Express different from a standard 7(a) loan?

**Short answer:** SBA Express tops out at $500,000 with a 50% guaranty, and the lender decides. A Standard 7(a) is more than $350,000 up to $5,000,000, with a 75% guaranty. SBA or a Preferred Lender Program (PLP) lender decides it (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Chs. 1-2).

Canonical page: https://www.sbaexpress.loans/answers/sba-express-vs-standard-7a/
Last checked: 2026-11-08

SBA Express is smaller, carries a lower guaranty and leaves more to the lender. Standard 7(a) is larger and has more SBA-set credit tests (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Chs. 1 and 2).

## Side by side

- Size: SBA Express goes up to $500,000. Standard 7(a) is more than $350,000 up to $5,000,000.
- Guaranty: 50% for SBA Express. 75% for Standard 7(a) (Appendix 16).
- Credit decision: the SBA Express lender alone. For Standard 7(a), SBA or a lender with PLP authority.
- Revolving credit: permitted under SBA Express. Standard 7(a) is not a revolving product (Sec. A, Ch. 3, Para. B.4).
- Coverage: no fixed ratio for most SBA Express loans. 1.15:1 for Standard 7(a) (Sec. B, Ch. 1, Para. C).
- Start-up equity: SBA Express leaves it to the lender. Standard 7(a) requires at least 10% of total project costs.
- Collateral: none required at $50,000 or less on SBA Express, and lender policy above that. Standard 7(a) must be fully secured, using available fixed assets (Appendix 19, Para. B.1).
- Maximum variable rate on SBA Express: Prime plus 3.0 to 6.5 percentage points, depending on loan size. On Standard 7(a): Prime plus 3.0 percentage points.

## Upfront fees

Both pay the same FY2027 percentage schedule on the guaranteed portion. SBA Express has the smaller guaranteed share (Information Notice 5000-881797).

## Sources

- [SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Chs. 1 (p. 117) and 2 (p. 125)](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, 18 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)
- [SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. A, Ch. 3, Para. B.4 (p. 53)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [SBA Information Notice 5000-881797, p. 2 (effective October 1, 2026)](https://legacy.sba.gov/document/information-notice-5000-881797-fy-2027-7a-program-fees)
- [13 CFR § 120.214(d)(4); SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 2, Para. B.5 (Para. B begins p. 126)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/section-120.214)