SBA Loans and Government-Backed Business Financing
SBA loans are made by banks and approved lenders with a partial guarantee from the U.S. Small Business Administration. That guarantee lets lenders offer longer terms and lower payments than most conventional small-business products — in exchange for more documentation.
SBA programs at a glance
The right program depends on what the money is for and how long you need to repay.
- 7(a) — the general-purpose program: working capital, equipment, refinancing, and acquisitions
- 504 — long-term, fixed-rate financing for owner-occupied real estate and major fixed assets
- SBA Express — smaller amounts with a faster SBA response window
- Microloans — smaller loans delivered through nonprofit intermediary lenders
- Export and disaster programs — for exporters and declared-disaster recovery
What an SBA package usually requires
SBA files are document-heavy. Preparing them correctly up front is the difference between weeks and months.
- Business and personal tax returns, typically the last two to three years
- Year-to-date profit and loss statement and balance sheet
- Personal financial statement for each owner of 20% or more
- Business debt schedule
- Business formation documents, licenses, and leases
- A written use-of-proceeds and, in many cases, projections
How Cap Fi Capital helps
We assemble the package, flag gaps before a lender sees them, and route the file to SBA-active lenders rather than sending it everywhere at once. Every submission and lender note is tracked inside your portal.
Cap Fi Capital is not a government agency and is not affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score do SBA lenders look for?
Thresholds vary by lender and program. Many SBA-active lenders look for solid personal credit alongside consistent revenue and clean tax filings.
How long does an SBA loan take?
SBA Express files move faster than standard 7(a) or 504 files. Completeness of the document package is the single biggest factor.
Can startups get SBA financing?
Some programs consider newer businesses, usually with strong personal credit, industry experience, an injection of owner equity, and detailed projections.
Start your file
Create a secure portal account, upload your documents once, and track every lender submission in one place.
Get started