What is an SBA loan?
An SBA loan is a business loan made by a bank or approved lender and partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA doesn't hand you the money: it promises the lender repayment of a large share if you default, which lets lenders approve businesses and offer terms they otherwise couldn't. The result: loans up to $5M with some of the lowest rates in small business lending, currently around 10.5%–14% variable for 7(a). The trade-off is process: more documents, more weeks. Quordx Capital connects you with SBA-approved lenders from our network and tells you honestly whether SBA is your best path.
Last updated · Reviewed by Cody Dreis
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How SBA Loans Work, and the Three Main Programs
The mechanism is the guarantee: because the government absorbs much of the loss on default, lenders extend longer terms and lower rates than conventional underwriting would allow. You still apply through a lender, the lender still underwrites you, and you still personally guarantee the loan if you own 20% or more.
SBA 7(a):: the flagship. Up to $5M for working capital, equipment, real estate, acquisitions, refinancing, and more. Variable rates are capped at Prime (currently 7.50%) plus 3.0%–6.5% depending on loan size, roughly 10.5%–14% today.
SBA 504:: up to $5.5M for fixed assets and commercial real estate, funded through a CDC paired with a bank. Rates are fixed for the life of the loan and tied to the 10-year Treasury; effective rates typically run 5–7%, with the May 2026 debenture at 4.82%.
SBA Express:: up to $500K with an SBA response within 36 hours, at rates up to Prime + 4.5%–6.5% depending on size.
Most 7(a) lenders look for credit of 650+, and 2+ years in business strengthens approval considerably. Under a May 2026 SBA rule effective July 2026, eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 for up to $10M in cumulative SBA exposure.
Is an SBA Loan Right for You?
SBA 7(a):: best for established businesses wanting maximum flexibility at low cost.
SBA 504:: best for buying buildings or major equipment with long, fixed-rate terms.
SBA Express:: best when you want SBA pricing with a faster answer, up to $500K.
Alternatives:: if you need money in days, not weeks, a term loan or working capital loan funds in 3–7 business days; we'll show the cost difference honestly.
How Quordx Capital Works
One 5-minute application reaches our full 50+ lender network, including SBA-approved lenders. The AI matches you to 3–7 lenders ranked by approval probability, and you upload your documents, bank statements, tax returns, and for SBA deals a P&L and balance sheet, a single time. Conventional matches decide in 24–48 hours; SBA timelines run longer, and we set those expectations up front.
What to Expect
SBA loans reward patience: weeks of process in exchange for years of cheaper payments. If your credit or timeline doesn't fit, we'll say so and show you what does, never forcing a square peg. Our service is free to you at every step, with no fees and no obligation.
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Quordx Capital is a business funding broker, not a lender. We facilitate introductions between U.S. small and medium-sized businesses and lenders or capital providers in our network. All credit decisions, funding amounts, rates, fees, repayment terms, and timelines are determined solely by individual lenders based on their own underwriting criteria.
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