2. Is the most common type of loan
backed by the SBA. These loans
are issued by an SBA-backed
lender, who will guide you through
the application process.
The SBA 7a Loan
There are a number of specialized 7a loans
designed to expedite the loan process, target
certain demographics, or assist certain types of
businesses.
3. This guide will help you understand
the nuances of these various 7a loans
in order to help you find the loan that
is best for you and your business.
This guide will cover the following SBA 7a loans: (If
you’re not familiar with the basic 7A loans, we
recommend first reading SBA Loans - The Ultimate
Guide. )
The SBA 7a Loan
4. Type
Maximum
Turnaround
Time
Purpuse
Maximum
Amount
SBA Express 36 Hours Quick Approval $350,000
Export Express 24 Hours
Quick Approval For
Exporters
$500,000
Patriot Express 36 Hours
Quick Approval For
Veteran Owned Business
$500,000
CAP Lines
10 Business
Days
Short-term Or Seasonal
Financing Needs
$5 Million
Export Working
Capital
10 Business
Days
Financing For Export
Related Transactions
$5 Million
5. Type
Maximum
Turnaround
Time
Purpuse
Maximum
Amount
International
Trade
10 Business
Days
Financing For Building An
Export Business
$5 Million
Small/Rural
Lender
Advantage
5 Business
Days
Support Business
Located In Rural Areas
$350,000
Small Loan
Advangtage
5 Business
Days
Provide Pre-Approval
For Business Located In
“Underserved” Areas
$350,000
Community
Advantage
10 Business
Days
Enabling Community
Lender to Loan Business
Located In
“Underserved” Areas
$250,000
6. Overview: The SBA Express features an
accelerated turnaround time for SBA review,
but with a smaller maximum loan amount.
SBA Express
The SBA will respond to your application within 36 hours, but the
maximum you can only borrow is $350,000, rather than the $5
million allowed under the standard 7a.
Maximum Loan Amount: $350,000
7. Maturity: Standard 7a terms.
SBA Express
They may not exceed SBA maximums: lenders may charge up to
6.5 % over the base rate for loans of $50,000 or less, and up to
4.5 % over for loans over $50,000.
Interest Rates: : Lenders and borrowers can
negotiate the interest rate. Rates can be fixed
or variable and are tied to the prime rate,
LIBOR, or the optional peg rate.
8. Turnaround time: 36 hours.
SBA Express
Forms: Lender forms, and SBA form 1919
Collateral: Lenders are not required to take
collateral for loans up to $25,000; they may
use their existing collateral policy for loans
over $25,000 up to $350,000.
9. SBA Express
The Bottom Line: The SBA Express may be a
good option for those looking for loan under
$350,000.
The simplified application process and quicker turnaround time
make this an appealing alternative to the standard 7a. For more
information, click here.
11. Export Express
Lenders use their own credit decision process
and loan documentation, and the SBA provides
an expedited eligibility review. The funds must be
used to enhance the business’s ability to export
goods and services.
Overview: The SBA Export Express Program
is a streamlined method to obtain SBA-
backed financing for loans and lines of credit
up to $500,000.
12. Export Express
Maturity: Standard 7a terms.
Interest Rates: Standard 7a terms.
Maximum Loan Amount: $500,000
Turnaround time: 24 hours.
Forms: Lenders forms, and SBA
form 1919
13. Export Express
Collateral: Collateral is based on the policies
and procedures established by the lender for
its non-SBA-guaranteed loans.
The Bottom Line: The SBA Express is a good
option for businesses that need $500,000 or
less in loans to begin or expand their export
business.
For more information, click here.
15. Patriot Express
Overview: The Patriot Express Program is
designed for small businesses that are 51
percent or more owned or controlled by
veterans.
Maximum Loan Amount: $500,000
Maturity: Standard 7a terms.
Interest Rates: Standard 7a terms.
Turnaround time: 36 hours.
16. Forms: Lender primarily uses own forms and
procedures.
Patriot Express
Collateral: Lenders are not required to take
collateral for loans up to $25,000
May use their existing collateral policy for loans over $25,000 up to
$350,000, but must take available collateral for loans greater than
$350,000.
17. The Bottom Line: The Patriot Express is an
excellent option for service members and
spouses. It provides similar terms to the 7a
express, but with a specific focus on military
families.
Patriot Express
19. CAP Lines
CAPLines is an umbrella program designed to help
small businesses meet their short-term and cyclical
working-capital needs. It features five lines of
credit:
• Seasonal Line
• Contract Line
• Builders Line
• Standard Asset-Based Line
• Small Asset-Based Line
Click here to read
the full article
20. Maturity: : Each of the five lines of credit has
a maturity of up to five years
Interest Rates: Standard 7a terms.
Maximum Loan Amount: $5 Million
Turnaround time: Up to 10 business days.
Forms: Standard 7a terms.
CAP Lines
21. Collateral: Holders of at least 20 percent
ownership in the business are generally
required to guarantee the loan.
Inadequate collateral will not be the sole reason for denial of a
loan request, but the nature and value of that collateral will factor
into the credit decision.
CAP Lines
22. The Bottom Line: CAPLines are a good
option for businesses that are heavily
influenced by seasonal business patterns.
While this program may not be any faster or less complicated than
the conventional 7a loans, there may be some advantages in terms
or repayment options and interest rates. For more information,
click here.
CAP Lines
23. CAP Lines
Overview: SBA's Export Working Capital
Program loans are designed for businesses in
need additional working capital to support
potential export sales.
Maturity: Standard 7a terms.
Interest Rates: Standard 7a terms.
Maximum Loan Amount: $5 Million
Turnaround time: 5-10 business days.
25. Export Working Capital
Collateral: This loan is backed by the export-
related inventory and income generated by the
export sales financed with loan.
Forms: SBA-EIB 84-1, plus attachments
The SBA also requires a personal guarantee for
everyone with 20% or more ownership.
26. The Bottom Line: This loan could be a good
option if you run an export-focused business
that needs short-term capital.
Contact your local U.S. Export Assistance Center to
learn more about the Export Working Capital
Program and whether your business qualifies. For
more information, click here.
Export Working Capital
27. International Trade
Overview: The International Trade Loan
Program offers term loans to businesses that
plan to start or continue exporting.
The main criterion is that the proceeds of the loan
must enable the borrower to be in a better position
to compete.
29. International Trade
Overview: The International Trade Loan
Program offers term loans to businesses that
plan to start or continue exporting.
The main criterion is that the proceeds of the loan
must enable the borrower to be in a better position
to compete.
30. International Trade
Maximum Loan Amount: $5 Million
Interest Rates: Interest rates are negotiated
between the borrower and the lender, subject
to SBA caps.
For loans greater than $50,000 and maturity in
excess of seven years, lenders may charge up to
2.75 percent over prime rate.
Turnaround time: 5-10
business days.
31. International Trade
Collateral: These loans are generally secured
by a first lien position or first mortgage on the
property or equipment financed by the loan.
Forms: Standard 7a terms.
A second lien position on the property
financed by the loan may be accepted, if the
SBA determines the second lien position
provides adequate collateral coverage.
32. The Bottom Line: This loan may appeal to
businesses that are looking to expand their
international trade, or have been negatively
impacted by imports. Overall, however, this
type of loan is fairly similar to the standard 7a
loan.
Contact your local U.S. Export Assistance Center to learn more
about the Export Working Capital Program and whether your
business qualifies. For more information, click here.
International Trade
34. Overview: The Small/Rural Lender
Advantage initiative is designed for small
community and rural-based lenders that
conventionally make very few SBA loans.
The key features include:
Small/rural
lender advantage
35. • Streamlined loan application and process for SBA loans of
$150,000 or less.
• A simplified SBA loan eligibility questionnaire to help small or
occasional lenders meet SBA’s eligibility requirements.
• Loans centrally processed through SBA’s Standard 7(a) Loan
Processing Center.
• Lenders can transmit applications via fax and
eventually online.
The key features include:
Small/rural
lender advantage
36. Maturity: Standard 7a terms.
Interest Rates: Standard 7a terms.
Maximum Loan Amount: $350,000
Turnaround time: 3-5 business days.
Forms: A one-page application for very
small loans, with limited additional
information required for loans above
$50,000
Small/rural
lender advantage
37. Small/rural
lender advantage
Collateral: All available collateral (liquidation
value) up to loan amount.
The Bottom Line: This program may be a
good option for people who wish to use small
local lenders that do not conventionally issue
many SBA-backed loans.
For more information, click here.
38. Small Loan
advantage
Overview: This program is designed to
expand access to capital for small businesses
and entrepreneurs in underserved
communities in order to help drive economic
growth and job creation.
Small Loan Advantage is structured to encourage existing SBA
lenders to make lower-dollar loans, which often benefit businesses
in underserved markets..
39. Small Loan
advantage
Maturity: Standard 7a terms.
Interest Rates: Standard 7a terms.
Maximum Loan Amount: $350,000
Turnaround time: Minutes through electronic
submission. 5-10 business days.
Forms: Small Loan Advantage features a
two-page application for borrowers.
40. Small Loan
advantage
Collateral: Standard 7a terms.
The Bottom Line: The Small Loan
Advantage program is an excellent option for
businesses looking for small loans and quick
approval. The pre-approval process enables
for near instant approval from the SBA.
For more information, click here.
41. (Pilot Program)
Community Advantage
Overview: This pilot program is aimed at
increasing the number of loans in traditionally
underserved communities by allowing
mission-driven organization to make SBA
loans.
These potential new SBA lending partners include Community
Development Financial Institutions, Certified Development
Companies and nonprofit microlending intermediaries..
42. (Pilot Program)
Community Advantage
Maturity: Standard 7a terms.
Interest Rates: Standard 7a terms.
Maximum Loan Amount: $250,000
Turnaround time: 5-10 business days.
Forms: Community Advantage features
streamlined paperwork, with a two-page
application for borrowers.
43. (Pilot Program)
Community Advantage
Collateral: Standard 7a terms.
The Bottom Line: This pilot program is very
similar to the Small Loan Advantage program,
but it opens up the possibility of borrowing
from a more mission-oriented organizations..
For more information, click here. For a list of Community
Advantage approved lenders, click here.
44. Final Thoughts
many special 7a loan programs that
might be relevant to your business needs.
We encourage you to contact some local
lenders to discuss your various options.
There are