What are SBA Business Loans?
The Five Main SBA Business Loans Programs that we focus on are:
What are SBA 7(a) Loans?
The majority of for-profit businesses could utilize the SBA 7(a) Loan program except for companies that engage in illegal activities or gambling, lending companies, pyramid sales companies, non-profit organizations and speculative businesses (i.e., real estate investment firms and cryptocurrency/rare coins/stamp dealers).
Depending on the individual company and it’s owners application a business could be funded up to $5mm with terms up to 25 years. Although interest rates will range from lender to lender the SBA does set maximum APR limits, and typically, you’ll see rates from around 7% to 14%. The SBA 7(a) loan can be an excellent option for a start-up seeking an infusion of capital into the ledger.
This government-backed loan program aims to help businesses from small to large scale, that either lack external funding sources, or desire the longer terms awarded on SBA Loans. Sba 7(a) Loan programs typically come with Prepayment penalties attached.
One average loan with a maturity of 15 years or more is subject to a prepayment penalty when the company prepays 25% or more of the loan within the first three years of disbursement of the loan proceeds. The penalties usually run on a sliding scale that is 5% of the prepayment amount if it takes place in the first year, it will be 3% if it takes place during the second year, and it will be 1% if it takes place in the third year.
These loan programs will have fees typically they come with both a loan guarantee fee and a loan servicing fee. Currently, loans under $150K have no guarantee fee, loans between $150K and $700K will be subject to a 3% guarantee fee, and loans greater than $700K will require a 3.5% fee.
Any loans greater than $1 million include an additional 0.25% guarantee fee for any amount over the $1 million mark. All loans are charged an ongoing service fee of 0.520% of the outstanding balance for the life of the loan. Whether the company is seeking capital for new hires, new equipment, or to expand the operation, SBA 7(a) Loans are here to help get established startups off the ground and running with enough capital to really succeed.
As mentioned earlier, SBA 7(a) Loans are funded by a bank or Non-Bank Lender. Once a business loan of up to $5 million is approved, the SBA 7(a) loans program applies a partial guarantee that ranges from 50% to 85% of the loan amount. The exact percentage will depend on the size of the loan and the borrower’s qualifications. The maximum loan guarantee allowed under the program is 85% for loans up to $150,000 and 75% for loans greater than $150,000.
Interest rates on loans in the 7(a) program are based on the prime rate, the size of the loan, and the maturity of the loan. The SBA sets a maximum interest rate for the program of 11%, but a business and their lender can negotiate within that limit. The average SBA (7a) loan program interest rate in recent years was the market prime rate plus 2.25%. The loans come with some of the most extended terms in the commercial loans market.
For loans in the SBA 7(a) program, lenders aren’t required to take collateral for loans below $25,000. For loans above $25,000, the SBA generally requires 20% collateral. The terms for loans for working capital, purchase of equipment, or for inventory can go up to 10 years. The terms on loans to purchase commercial real estate can go all the way up to 25 years.
Upon funding, generally, the lender collects any required collateral and will work along the side of the SBA to service the financing. The payments for the SBA 7(a) loan will be monthly for the set term.
The SBA 7(a) loan guarantees 50% to up 85% of the loan amount, ultimately motivating banks to extend lending to small businesses, riskier companies, or start-ups. By lowering the lender’s risk in case of a risky borrower for one reason or another default on loan.
The SBA 7(a) loans can be combined with other forms of small business financing to help you reach your funding needs. For example, company owners could use the 401(k) business funding program to pull money from their retirement accounts to cover a down payment of the requirement of the 7(a) loan program.
Collateral Requirements Are Not Very Strict Depending on Loan size.
SBA does not usually decline applications solely based on insufficient collateral since the Banks and non-bank lenders do not always require collateral on SBA 7(a) Loan Program.
Longer payment terms conventional loans max out at five years in term. SBA 7(a) Loan terms can go up to 10 years for working capital and equipment and up to 25 years for the purchase of the commercial real estate.
- Must be a legally operated for-profit business.
- Companies must be in business for at least two years.
A business must be physically based in the United States, and it must be doing business with the U.S. and its territories. - Majority owners are applying to need a min credit score – preferably above 680. The business owners can’t be on parole.
A company with no recent bankruptcies, foreclosures, or tax liens.|
A business must have fewer than 500 employees, and less than $7.5 million revenue on average each year for the past three years - With the net income that is under $5 million (after taxes and not counting carry-over losses), and your tangible net worth must be less than $15 million.
- No Absentee owner-operators all the majority shareholders of the company must be investing their own time and money into the business, having (“invested equity”).
Owners need to show that they thoroughly exhausted all other financing options before seeking an SBA loan. - A business plan or strategic action plan that showcases the owners have the resources to invest their assets in the business and to detail the intended use of funds is for a sound business purpose that will lead to the repayment of the loan.
The business and its owners are not delinquent on any existing debts to the U.S. government (taxes, student loans).
In addition to the eligibility requirements, there are also collateral requirements for the SBA 7(a) loan program
PARTNERSHIP YOU CAN RELY ON
SEASONED BUSINESS CONSULTANTS
What are SBA Working Capital Loans?
The SBA Working Capital Loan Program uses the SBA 7(a) program guidelines to provide a loan guarantee of up to 85% to bank and non-bank lenders that lend to existing U.S. Businesses. The differences between the SBA Working Capital Loan Program and the SBA 7(a) Loan Program are funding limits. The SBA 7(a) program can finance up to $5mm. Therefore, it can take on average 30 to 45 days to close.
With the SBA Working Capital Loan Program, funding is limited to a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum of $150,000 for business operations and can close in under 30 days. The program is meant to provide an underwriting approval or denial result in under 36 hours. The proceeds from these loans can be used for working capital expenses such as rent, utilities, employee wages, and some equipment purchases and inventory.
The SBA Working Capital Loan program will work as a Standard 7(a) Loan Program except for the minimum funding amount allowed, and the maximum funded amount is capped lower than for standard 7(a) loans. The SBA Working Capital Loan program will work with a bank or non-bank lender to provide a loan guarantee of 85% of the loan amount made to only existing U.S. Businesses.
As long as the business is not a start-up and the loan amount is between $75,000 and $150,000, a business that already qualified for the SBA 7(a) program can use the SBA Working Capital Loan Program. The program has payment terms that can go out to 3 years.
Once the funding is approved and provided to the company, the business owners can use the fund’s expenses like rent, utilities, employee wages, equipment purchases, inventory additions, and other working capital expenses. The payments are monthly for a set term like all other SBA Loan Programs.
Can provide a fast loan application response for a borrower with an answer in as little as 36 hours and funding in 30 days or less.
Unlike other SBA loans that require 20 – 30 percent down payments and must be secured by personal collateral, Working Capital loans only need 10 percent down and are secured by your business assets.
Plus, Working Capital loans can leverage owners’ dormant retirement funds to cover the down payment for a Business Start-up by working in conjunction with Rollovers.
Since SBA Working Capital Loans fall under the SBA 7(a) Program, the majority of the requirements are the same with a few additions listed below.
The additional eligibility requirements are stricter when it comes to applying for an SBA Working Capital loan vs. the SBA 7(a).
Owners must have at least a 690 minimum FICO credit score
The owners and the business should not have had any bankruptcies within the last three years.
Set funding Terms: Min funded amount of $75,000 and a maximum funded
This Product is intended for existing businesses, yet start-ups for Franchises are eligible. If a company is a start-up that is joining a franchise, then the business must be in operations before funding. Plus, the company must have paid any franchise fees before funding. If the SBA Working Capital Loan Program will be used to purchase a franchise.
These extra firm guidelines are in place to virtually guarantee that the borrower is able to pay back the loan. Since they have stricter underwriting requirements, the SBA can offer more preferable loan terms for Working Capital loans or other SBA loans.
COMPETITIVE TERMS
EXPERT SERVICE
What are SBA CAPLines?
The SBA CAPLines program provides a loan guarantee of up to 85% to a bank or non-bank lender that funds U.S. Companies a fixed or revolving Business Line of Credit. SBA CAPLines of Credit can be used for meeting short-term working capital needs and long term growth ideas. SBA CAPLines of Credit are secured, meaning the line of credit must be fully collateralized by borrower or company assets.
Including but not limited to accounts receivable, purchase orders, inventory, property liens, and other assets. If company assets don’t fully collateralize the loan, this is when the owner(s) will be required to pledge their assets, including up to placing a lien on residential or commercial real estate.
Funding of up to $5 million is available with maximum repayment terms of 10 years. There are four different lines of credit open under this program. Seasonal CAPLines is used for accounts receivable and inventory that increase seasonally. Repayment terms for CAPLines average at five years.
A maximum interest rate of 11% has been set by the SBA. On average, interest rates on SBA CAPLines range from the prime rate plus 2.25% to 4.75%. A one-time guarantee fee between 2% and 3.75% will also be charged, as well as additional expenses similar to other SBA loan programs.
The SBA CAPLINES Program works directly with a bank or non-bank lender to provide up to an 85% loan guarantee for Business Lines of Credit financed for U.S. Businesses that are backed by the borrowing companies receivables and or inventory. The SBA CAPLINES Program can finance a company up to $5mm as long as the company has the invoices or inventory as collateral to serve as collateral.
Once approved, SBA CAPLines have set term limits, meaning that there is a specified amount of time to pay back the credit line. Although individual banks and SBA preferred lenders have programs that allow for extensions. As stated earlier, SBA CAPLine Interest rates can be fixed or variable and are determined from the Prime Federal Interest rate plus a spread that varies by the size of the loan. There are four types of SBA CAPLINES of Credit.
Relatively Low-Interest Rates in comparison to Conventional Business Line of Credit interest rates. SBA CAPLINES have the same Interest rates as the SBA 7(a) Loan program.
The National Business Line Of Credit interest rates average starts at a low of about 9 percent.
Longer Terms for Business Lines of Credit in comparison with other conventional revolving lines of credit. Terms can reach up to 10 years whereas traditional revolving lines of credit on average max out at three years
SBA Working Capital CAPLine loans revolving line of credit can be used for both short-term operating and working capital needs.
SBA Seasonal Lines of Credit can help a business navigate through their seasonal patterns without having to take on a big loan in one lump sum.
SBA Contract Line of Credit CAPLines could be a significant funding source for companies with multiple contracts that need to be juggled at once and may constrain the company’s cash flow.
SBA Builders Line of Credit may be the right fit for developers that need a line of credit to cover expenses while developing residential or commercial properties to resell.
SBA CAPLines also fall under similar underwriting guidelines as the SBA 7(a). First, a Business should make sure they can qualify for a 7(a).
Companies must be a U.S based for-profit business.
Business owners need a minimum Credit score of 620.
A Min of 2 years of Business history, no start-ups.
The company must be doing a minimum of $100,000 of annual revenue.
Some lenders may require a detailed business plan or a strategic plan of action, breaking down how the financing will be used to determine how the funds will be repaid.
SBA CAPLines umbrella covers four different loan programs. Each program has its qualification standards in addition to the standard SBA eligibility criteria. The four SBA CAPLines programs eligibility requirements are:
What are the 4 Types of SBA CAP LINES?
We are dedicated to making sure our clients can tap into our years of SBA Funding expertise to achieve their goals of obtaining the best SBA Loan for their company.
How to qualify for a SBA CAPLINE Contract Line of Credit?
- Companies must prove the business can make a profit based on the completion of similar contracts as first-time contractors are generally declined.
- Companies must demonstrate that the business can bid and perform the type of work outlined by the agreement. Companies must have the financial and technical ability to complete the contract on time and generate a profit. The collateral requirement is a first lien position on the contract and proceeds.
Companies must have been in business for at least one full calendar year; two years is generally preferred by most lenders.
Companies must prove via banking documents that the business has a pattern of generating seasonal activity.
Companies must be willing to accept a term of 10 years or less.
- Only for construction contractors or home builders with the proven ability to complete contracts usually a minimum of 2 years in business.
- Perform the construction or renovation with at least one supervisor on the job site throughout construction at all times..
- Must have a history of delivering prompt and significant renovations.
Demonstrate prior success in bidding and completing projects of comparable scope.
Demonstrate a plan for prompt and significant renovations (over a ⅓ of value) as these issues happen at times.
The business Must generate accounts receivable, or the business must have inventory.
The business must be willing to handle a term year term or less.
Plus, you will probably be required to complete separate SBA forms, which will vary depending on the type of business you own. Some of the required forms include:
- SBA Form 1919: This document is used to collect borrower information and is required when applying for all 7(a) loans.
- SBA Form 912: This SBA form is a statement of your personal history and is used to evaluate your character.
- SBA Form 413: This document analyzes the financial health of anyone who is a proprietor of the business.
- SBA Form 159: This is only required if you hired someone to help you complete your SBA loan application
Demonstrate prior success in bidding and completing projects of comparable scope.
Demonstrate a plan for prompt and significant renovations (over a ⅓ of value) as these issues happen at times.
What are SBA Express Loans?
The SBA Express loans program is set up as an alternative for the SBA 7(a) Loan Program for SubPerfect Business applicants seeking up to $350,000.
SBA Express Loans are one of the crucial SBA Loan Guarantee Programs. Although it is very similar to the SBA 7(a), which can offer up to $5 million and has a guarantee of up to 85% of the loan amount, that will be paid back to the bank in the event of a default. The SBA Express Loan program sets itself apart in 3 ways from the SBA 7(a) Loan.
One by capping out at $350,000 as a loan amount vs. the standard SBA 7(a) amount of up to $5mm, two by being approved or denied within 36 hours vs. the up to 8 weeks it can take for standard SBA 7(a) applications to come back with a final result. The third way that the SBA Express Loan program is different compared to an SBA 7(a) Loan is the way that the SBA Express Loan Program is intended with less than pristine applicants. If approved, funds become available to the business owner within 90 days, not right away.
Under the SBA Express Loan program, businesses could be funded the capital in the form of either a Business Term Loan or a Business Line of Credit. Once received, this capital may be used for various business purposes.
For-Profit U.S Based Businesses that are riskier than the standard SBA 7(a) applicant.
Except for companies that engage in illegal activities or gambling, lending companies, pyramid sales companies, non-profit organizations and speculative businesses (i.e., real estate investment firms and cryptocurrency/rare coins/stamp dealers)
- The SBA Express Loan Program works like SBA 7(a) Loans Except for the funding responses are remarkably faster. The turnaround time for approval is within days. The SBA Express Loan Program provides a loan guarantee of 50% of the loan amount to banks and non-bank lenders that finance subprime U.S Businesses. The maximum funded amount allowed is $350,000. This is an excellent product for borrowers that have already been turned down for other SBA Loans or other non-SBA loans.
- SBA Express Loans are fast becoming the go-to option for business owners who don’t meet the lending criteria of bank or non-bank lenders. The SBA Express Loan Program could be funded as either a Business Line of Credit with a max term of 7 years or as a loan with a max term of 10 years for working capital and 25 years in duration if the loan is for commercial real estate. Although the SBA 7(a) can fund up to $5mm and the SBA Express Loan Program is capped at $350,000. This program is built to provide rapid underwriting results in 36 hours or less. U.S Businesses are looking to partner with the SBA, whereby time is of the essence to secure the capital needed for a project or expansion. The SBA Express Loan Program can cut the process from up to 10 days for the SBA 7(a) to 36 hours max hence why the max Express.
Though it’s usually the last resort for business owners who’ve already been denied commercial loans, the SBA Express loan is not to be undervalued. There’s no better option on the market when it comes to turnaround time after applying with a maximum application response time of 36 hours.
Businesses that are declined for a bank or non-bank loan can serve a great long term funding option versus other alternative funding options. With terms up to 7 years for revolving lines of credit, up to 10 years on loans for working capital and up to 25 years on loans for commercial real estate.
Outside of the limit of $350,000 the program has some of the same benefits of the SBA 7(a) Loan Program.
Qualifying for the SBA Express Loan Program is pretty simple. There are a few requirements, above the standard SBA 7(a) requirements.
- Operating a for-profit business for a min of 2 years within the United States.
- No existing debt obligations to the government.
- Owners can not be on parole.
Surprisingly, the criteria aren’t nearly as strict as one would think.
Business needs to be reporting a profit.
Majority Owners of the business must have at least a 620 fico score.
What is an SBA 504 LOAN?
The SBA 504 Loan program is here to provide a way for businesses with a net worth of under $15 million that are looking to purchase fixed assets, which typically means real estate, machinery, and buildings, at or below market rates. In 2019, the SBA guaranteed over $7 billion in 504 loans, making it one of the fastest-growing loan programs the SBA has to offer. The SBA 504 Loan program works by combining three different parties.
The business owner(s), a bank or non-bank lender, and a Certified Development Company. To provide a loan guarantee of up to 50% of the loan amount to the bank or non-bank lender of up to 85% of the loan amount for loans to U.S Businesses owners to purchase assets. The SBA manages the transaction between all three parties till the loan closes and the assets are secured.
(Certified Development Companies are established under the 504 code as non-profit corporations set up to support economic growth in their local areas). There are a few hundred such CDCs nationwide in a business’s local area that they can partner up with on such endeavors.
The SBA 504 Loan program works on behalf of U.S Business to help companies purchase commercial real estate. SBA 504 loans are not allowed for working capital.
The program helps to manage all three parties involved in each SBA 504 Loan transaction. The lender, the borrower, and the Certified Development Company that will fund a portion of the loan. The SBA 504 program works by providing bank and non-bank lenders a loan guarantee of 50% approving the final underwriting of the loan application then distributing the loan responsibilities among the two other parties.
The business owner has to put a minimum of 10%, a bank or non-bank lender puts up a minimum of 50%, and a “Certified Development Company” (CDC) puts up the remaining 40% of the loan proceeds. On average the maximum amount of the loan is $5 million ($5 million for meeting SBA-defined policy goals, and $5.5 million for manufacturers and some energy-related policy goals). The SBA 504 Loan Program also has higher loan limits, so it’s ideal for larger projects. If a borrower defaults, the bank or SBA preferred lender is paid off first, reducing the risk to the lender and encouraging more development loans in the communities.
SBA 504 loan program is used to help expand commercial owner/user real estate by a business, as well as replace & purchase commercial real estate and also heavy equipment while allowing you to conserve your working capital by only requiring a 10% down payment. Meaning SBA 504 Program could provide up to ninety-percent (90%) financing of the total project cost, which includes the land, construction/renovations, soft fees, and closing costs. Conventional commercial loans will require two to three times the equity (20-30% down). Interest Rates on SBA 504 Loan Programs vary, but current maximum interest rates for the CDC portion of an SBA 504 loan are between 2.08 and 2.18% above the relevant U.S. Treasury Index (5-year index is used for 10-year loans, while the 10-year index is used for 20-year loans). Loan Terms on the SBA 504 Loan Program max out at 20 years for land and buildings and at ten years for heavy equipment.
Great for Purchasing Commercial Real Estate
The interest rates are fixed, and terms can go out until 25 years.
The SBA 504 Loan Program is probably one of the easiest to qualify for.
Below market fixed rates compared to other types SBA financing.
Smaller down payments of a minimum 10% and no balloon payments, which is standard on most commercial real estate loans.
For a For-profit U.S Based Business.
The company must have a detailed business plan detailing the purchase and maintenance of the property in question.
A 10% minimum down payment by the borrowing company payment required for most borrowers.
A patient borrower as the program typically takes between 65 to 75 days to close on real estate loans. Massive equipment loans may close faster like 30 to 45 days.
Available Capital Limit
25k—$25mm Depending on the SBA product
Standard Interest Rates or Cost
Rates Starting as low as Prime Plus
Typical Underwriting TimeLine
2–6 Weeks Depending on the SBA product
Average Term Limits
1-25 Years Depending on the SBA Loan Product
