Even SBA microloans usually require collateral and a personal guarantee. Without them, you'll have trouble getting an SBA loan. Some online lenders offer unsecured business loans, which don't require collateral. But you may still have to sign a personal guarantee.
7(a) Small loans exclude: Standard 7(a) loans, SBA Express, Export Express, CAPLines, Export Working Capital Program (EWCP), and Pilot Program loans. For loans $50,000 or less: SBA does not require collateral, except for International Trade loans, which have different requirements.
You may get denied an SBA loan if your business could obtain financing elsewhere or has a wealth of assets above the loan amount requested. You also probably won't get approved if you've had a past default on a government loan. Finally, the SBA disqualifies specific industries, including: Financial institutions.
Every SBA loan in the SBA's 7(a) program requires collateral to secure the loan above certain loan amount thresholds. That said, it's possible to obtain an unsecured SBA loan for smaller loan amounts. For example, on the Standard 7(a) loan, lenders aren't required to take collateral for loans up to $25,000.
In general, eligibility is based on what a business does to receive its income, the character of its ownership, and where the business operates. Normally, businesses must meet SBA size standards, be able to repay, and have a sound business purpose. Even those with bad credit may qualify for startup funding.
SBA Express loans, part of the SBA's 7(a) loan program, offer the easiest application process and the fastest approval times among all SBA loans. These loans, with payoff periods as long as 25 years, are designed for purposes such as refinancing debt, buying equipment, or improving real estate.
Normally, your personal credit report shouldn't be impacted by a business loan, even if you've personally guaranteed the loan. Business debt and payment history do not affect your credit score, unless the business defaults on the loan, in which case your personal credit can be negatively impacted.
Because they're so popular, only about half (52%) of all SBA loan applications are approved. Learn more about the SBA loan approval rate and steps you can take to help get your application approved.
Lenders are looking for proof that business borrowers have some "skin in the game." SBA loan collateral may take on many different forms, including: Business assets such as real estate or equipment. Accounts receivable or inventory. Personal assets of the business owner.
On August 1, 2023, SBA implemented policies to expand access to capital for small businesses by modernizing SBA's signature 7(a) working capital* and 504 fixed asset loan programs.
If you've been denied an SBA loan, you are not alone. Less than 50,000 businesses were approved for 7(a) loans in 2022 — and only around 9,000 were approved for 504 loans.
The SBA requires residential or investment property collateral if the available equity (defined as “asset value less existing mortgage and /or HELOC liabilities”) is more than 25% of the value of the property. However, the value cannot be determined by you in your personal financial statement.
If the bank holds an SBA lien on your personal residence, you face the possibility of foreclosure. Foreclosure is an action taken to sell property that was pledged as security for the SBA loan.
An unsecured loan is supported only by the borrower's creditworthiness, rather than by any collateral, such as property or other assets. Unsecured loans are riskier than secured loans for lenders, so they require higher credit scores for approval.
You can only use SBA loans for "sound business expenses." That means you cannot use an SBA loan for personal expenses, such as personal credit card bills, your home mortgage, or student loans.
Generally, the minimum credit score for SBA and term loans is around 680. If you're on the lower end of this spectrum, you'll likely need very strong business credentials to qualify, such as several years in business or significant annual revenue.
Like many small business owners, your business exists as an extension of yourself. It is your identity and your hard work. However, you cannot use you SBA loan to pay off your personal debt, such as credit cards, mortgage or other debts.
If your business and personal assets are not enough to cover your debt, your SBA lender will file a guarantee request with the U.S. Small Business Administration. In other words, by making this request, your lender is asking the SBA to repay the portion of the loan that was guaranteed by the government.
Advantages of SBA Loans
While SBA lenders often require good credit, SBA loans can be easier to qualify for than some traditional bank loans. The Small Business Administration guarantees the loans, which helps to reduce the risk to lenders. Long repayment terms. SBA loans can offer long repayment periods.
Because SBA loans' interest rates are tied to the WSJ Prime, both for fixed- and variable-interest loans, the higher the WSJ Prime, the higher the interest rates for SBA 7(a), 504, and Express loans. See the table below for current rates for SBA-backed small business loans.
While you can get up to $5 million for a standard SBA 7(a) loan, most borrowers in 2022 took out just under a million dollars at $999,210. The average for all SBA 7(a) loans, including the Small Loan and Express programs, was $538,903. Express loans, which are limited to a $500,000 maximum, averaged $97,097 in 2022.
Can you get an SBA loan with no money down? Most SBA loan programs require a down payment typically ranging from 10 percent to 30 percent based on the type of loan. But some types of SBA loans, including CAPLines and disaster loans, don't have a down payment requirement.
While there is no perfect funding option, SBA loans offer favorable terms and government backing, making them a valuable choice for many small businesses. But with their lengthy approval process, SBA loans aren't for every business.