SBA 7(a)
The flagship. Most versatile. Working capital, acquisitions, real estate, refi, partner buyouts.
Max amount$5M
Down payment10–30%
Term7–25 yr
SBA guarantee75–85%
Explore 7(a) →
SBA 504
Long-term fixed rates for commercial real estate and major equipment. Up to 90% financing.
Max SBA portion$5.5M
Down payment10–20%
CDC term20–25 yr
RateFixed
Explore 504 →
SBA Express
Faster approvals on smaller deals. Up to $500K with 36-hour SBA turnaround. Lines of credit available.
Max amount$500K
SBA review36 hr
Term7–25 yr
SBA guarantee50%
Explore Express →
Side-by-Side Comparison
All three programs share core SBA eligibility, but they diverge sharply on amount, term structure, and use of funds.
| Feature | SBA 7(a) | SBA 504 | SBA Express |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max loan | $5M | $5.5M (SBA portion) | $500K |
| SBA guarantee | 75–85% | 40% via CDC debenture | 50% |
| Down payment | 10–30% | 10–20% | 10–30% |
| Rate type | Variable (most) | Fixed (CDC) | Variable |
| Best for | Acquisitions, working capital, mixed-use | Owner-occupied CRE, major equipment | Smaller deals, speed, LOC |
| Time to close | 45–90 days | 60–90 days | 30–45 days |
| Working capital | Yes | No | Yes |
| Goodwill (business acq.) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Real estate | Yes (single loan) | Yes (3-party) | Yes (under $500K) |
| Line of credit | No | No | Yes (CAPLine option) |
Not sure which program fits your deal?
Our 90-second qualifier matches you with lenders for the right program.
Get Pre-Qualified →