# SBA loan programs **Short answer:** This page covers 9 SBA programs that make loans and 2 that have ended. SBA Express is part of the 7(a) program, and 504 finances fixed assets through a Certified Development Company. Canonical page: https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/ Last checked: 2026-11-09 In most of these programs SBA does not make the loan. A private lender or an intermediary does, and SBA guarantees part of it or funds the intermediary. Disaster loans are the exception: SBA lends directly. The programs differ in who makes the loan, how large it can be and what it can pay for. ## Compare the largest amounts **The largest amount in each program** | Program | Largest amount | What the amount measures | | --- | --- | --- | | [SBA 7(a) loans](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/7a-loans/) | $5,000,000 | Maximum loan | | [SBA Express loans](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/sba-express/) | $500,000 | Maximum loan | | [SBA 504 loans](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/504-loans/) | $5,000,000 | Maximum debenture | | [SBA microloans](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/microloans/) | $50,000 | Maximum loan | | [SBA CAPLines](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/caplines/) | $5,000,000 | Maximum line | | [Export Express loans](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/export-express/) | $500,000 | Maximum loan | | [Export Working Capital Program](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/export-working-capital/) | $5,000,000 | Maximum loan | | [International Trade loans](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/international-trade-loans/) | $5,000,000 | Maximum loan | | [SBA disaster loans](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/disaster-loans/) | $2 million | EIDL and physical combined | | [Community Advantage Pilot Program (ended)](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/community-advantage/) | None | New loans (program ended) | | [Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program (ended)](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/express-bridge/) | None | New loans (program ended) | These are SBA program limits, not what a lender will offer you. ## Programs that make loans today Each program has its own page with the limits, the rules and the sources. ### [SBA 7(a) loans](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/7a-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](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/sba-express/) 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](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/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](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/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](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/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](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/export-express/) 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](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/export-working-capital/) 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](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/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](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/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)](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/community-advantage/) 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)](https://www.sbaexpress.loans/sba-programs/express-bridge/) 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).