SUMMARY The Small Business Administration (SBA) is launching a new 7(a) Working Capital Pilot Program, designed to provide small businesses with a more flexible line of credit compared to traditional term loans. This program will offer a newly structured line of credit, made by 7(a) lenders and backed by the SBA, with an innovative fee structure that reduces the cost of loans with shorter maturities. The program aims to support small businesses in pursuing growth opportunities and creating jobs, particularly in a higher interest rate environment. It represents a significant expansion of the SBA’s loan programs, providing more options for structuring a line of credit to meet specific business needs.
7(a) Loans
The 7(a) loan program is the SBA’s primary business loan program, providing financial assistance to small businesses.
Contents
What is a 7(a) Loan?
Am I Eligible?
How Do I Apply?
How Do I Repay My 7(a) Loan?
Existing Borrowers
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What is a 7(a) Loan?
The 7(a) Loan Program is the SBA’s main business loan program, offering loan guarantees to lenders to provide financial help to small businesses with special requirements. 7(a) loans can be used for:
- Acquiring, refinancing, or improving real estate and buildings
- Short- and long-term working capital
- Refinancing current business debt
- Purchasing and installing machinery and equipment, including AI-related expenses
- Purchasing furniture, fixtures, and supplies
- Changes of ownership (complete or partial)
- Multiple purpose loans, including any of the above
The maximum loan amount for a 7(a) loan is $5 million. Key eligibility factors include the nature of the business, its credit history, and its location. Your lender will help you determine the most suitable loan type for your needs.
Am I Eligible?
To qualify for 7(a) loan assistance, businesses must:
- Be an operating business
- Operate for profit
- Be located in the U.S.
- Meet SBA Size Requirements
- Not be an ineligible business type
- Be unable to obtain the desired credit on reasonable terms from non-federal, non-state, and non-local government source
- Be creditworthy and demonstrate the ability to repay the loan
Read more about terms, conditions, and eligibility.
How Do I Apply?
Use the SBA’s Lender Match tool to connect with a participating SBA lender. You will apply for your loan directly through your lender.
The loan application contents vary based on the loan size and the lender’s processing method. Your lender will guide you on the necessary documents based on your individual circumstances.
You will always work directly with your lender, not with the SBA.
How Do I Repay My 7(a) Loan?
Loan repayment terms vary based on several factors:
- Most 7(a) term loans are repaid with monthly payments of principal and interest from the business’s cash flow.
- Payments remain the same for fixed-rate loans due to the constant interest rate.
- For variable rate loans, the lender may require a different payment amount when the interest rate changes.
Existing Borrowers
Existing borrowers can create an account in the MySBA Loan Portal (lending.sba.gov) to monitor their loan status, view statements, payment history, and more.
Payments for SBA-purchased 7(a) loans can only be made using the MySBA Loan Portal. All others can continue to set up and manage online payments at Pay.gov.
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