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SBA 7(a) Loans

SBA 7(a) Loans

The SBA's most flexible loan. Buy a business, buy out a partner, purchase your building, or fund working capital, with as little as 10% down and terms up to 25 years.

Loan amount$5MUp to
Down payment10%As little as
Term25 yrsUp to, no balloon
Pre-qualify10 minOnline, with our SBA partner
Eligible uses

One loan for most business needs

We match your business with an SBA lender that fits your deal and guide you from application to closing.

Buy a business

Acquire an existing business, including franchises.

Partner buyout

Buy out a partner and keep the business running.

Owner-occupied real estate

Purchase the building your business operates from.

Construction and improvements

Ground-up construction and tenant improvements.

Working capital and equipment

Inventory, equipment, hiring and growth.

Debt refinance

Replace higher-cost business debt with longer terms.

Program terms

SBA 7(a) loan terms

Terms available through our SBA lending partner. Final terms depend on your business, its cash flow and the use of funds.

Loan amount
$25,000 – $5,000,000
Down payment
As little as 10% (up to 90% financing)
Term
Up to 25 years, fully amortizing, no balloon payment
Rate
Variable, with maximum rates capped by the SBA
Prepayment
SBA prepayment fee applies in the first 3 years on longer-term loans
Underwriting
Historical cash flow, credit history, industry and management experience
Collateral
Business real estate, inventory and equipment, as available
Industries
Hundreds eligible, including car washes, assisted living, restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores, childcare, hotels, self-storage and commercial solar
Smaller loans
Up to $150,000 through SBA Express, with faster funding
Veterans
SBA 7(a) loans for qualifying veterans, with packaging fees waived and no minimum credit score with select lenders
How it works

From application to funding

Pre-qualify

Tell us about the business and what the money is for. Pre-qualification takes minutes.

Submit the package

We help you assemble the financials and documents the lender needs for underwriting.

Approve and close

The lender reviews and approves the loan, then closes and funds.

What you'll need

Documents checklist

  • Business tax returns for the last 3 years
  • Personal tax returns for each 20%+ owner
  • Year-to-date profit and loss and balance sheet
  • Personal financial statement (SBA Form 413) for each owner
  • Business debt schedule
  • Resumes for owners and key managers
  • For acquisitions: purchase agreement and seller financials
  • For real estate: purchase contract or property details
Example

Buying a business with 10% down

SBA 7(a) lets you buy an established business without tying up most of your cash.

Loan = Purchase price − Down payment
Purchase price$1,500,000 Down payment at 10%$150,000 SBA 7(a) loan$1,350,000

Illustration only. Required equity can be higher depending on the deal, and closing costs and SBA fees are additional.

Common questions

SBA 7(a) FAQ

What's the difference between SBA 7(a) and SBA 504?

7(a) is the all-purpose program: acquisitions, working capital, refinance and real estate. SBA 504 is built for owner-occupied real estate and long-life equipment, with a long fixed rate.

How much do I need to put down?

As little as 10% on many loans. Lenders may ask for more depending on cash flow, collateral and experience.

How long does an SBA loan take?

Pre-qualification takes minutes. From there, timing depends on the lender, the size of the loan and how quickly documents come in.

My business is in a small town and needs more than $5 million. What then?

Look at USDA B&I loans, which reach $10 million for businesses in rural areas.

Can I use SBA 7(a) for investment property?

No. SBA loans are for operating businesses. For rental or investment property, see our long-term financing.

Ready to grow or buy a business?

Tell us about your plans. We'll match you with the right SBA program.

Get Started

Terms shown are available through Capital Lending Group's SBA lending partner as of October 2026 and change without notice. SBA loans are subject to SBA eligibility rules, lender credit approval and SBA fees. Capital Lending Group, LLC is a loan broker, not the lender, and is not affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration.