SBA loan programs

Programs that make loans today

Each program has its own page with the limits, the rules and the sources.

SBA 7(a) loans

A 7(a) loan is SBA's main business loan. A private lender makes it, and SBA guarantees part of it. The maximum is $5,000,000. The guaranty is 85% on loans of $150,000 or less and 75% on larger loans (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 1; App. 16).

SBA Express loans

SBA Express is a 7(a) loan or line of credit of up to $500,000. The lender makes the credit decision without prior SBA review, and SBA guarantees 50%. Lines can run 10 years, including any term-out period (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 2; Apps. 16 and 17).

SBA 504 loans

A 504 loan finances major fixed assets through a private lender and a Certified Development Company. The usual split is 50% third party lender, 40% CDC debenture, 10% borrower. The debenture maximum is $5,000,000, or $5,500,000 for small manufacturers (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. C, Ch. 1).

SBA microloans

A microloan is a loan of up to $50,000 from an intermediary lender that SBA funds. Repayment can run up to 7 years. SBA says the average is about $13,000 (13 CFR § 120.707; sba.gov/loans/microloans, read November 8, 2026).

SBA CAPLines

CAPLines are 7(a) lines of credit for short-term and cyclical needs, up to $5,000,000. The four types are Working Capital, Contract, Seasonal and Builders. Most can run up to 10 years. Builders lines have their own limit (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 4; App. 17, Para. B.5).

Export Express loans

Export Express is a 7(a) loan or line of up to $500,000 for export development. SBA guarantees 90% on loans of $350,000 or less and 75% on larger loans. The lender decides without prior SBA review (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. A; App. 16).

Export Working Capital Program

The Export Working Capital Program finances export orders and foreign receivables. Loans reach $5,000,000. SBA guarantees 90%, up to $4,500,000. Maturity can run 36 months, and SBA does not prescribe the rate (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. B; 13 CFR §§ 120.340, 120.344).

International Trade loans

An International Trade loan is a 7(a) term loan for exporters and businesses hurt by import competition. The maximum is $5,000,000, with a 90% guaranty up to $4,500,000. Working capital is limited to $2,000,000 (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. C; App. 16).

SBA disaster loans

SBA lends directly after declared disasters. Businesses can borrow up to $2 million for physical damage and economic injury combined, with terms up to 30 years. The first payment is deferred 12 months, and no interest accrues in that period (sba.gov/disaster, read November 8, 2026).

Programs that have ended

You cannot apply for these. The pages explain what each was and what to look at instead.

Community Advantage Pilot Program (ended)

The Community Advantage Pilot Program ended October 31, 2023. No new loans can be made under it. Former pilot lenders could convert to Community Advantage Small Business Lending Companies, which make regular 7(a) loans (88 FR 69003, Oct. 5, 2023).

Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program (ended)

The Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program ended March 13, 2021. It let lenders with SBA Express authority make emergency disaster-related loans, and from April 2020 it covered COVID-19 impacts. You cannot apply for one today (85 FR 18107, Apr. 1, 2020).