Online SBA loans for small businesses: financing backed by SBA

SBA loans, while offered through small business lenders, are backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. As a result, SBA loans can often offer some of the lowest rates and longest remittances available for small business owners. At the same time, this also means they can be harder to qualify and take longer to get approval for.

Credibly can help you get access to an SBA loan as well as other financing options like working capital loans, lines of credit, and long-term loans. If an SBA loan isn’t the right fit, we’ll help you explore your options to find the smartest, most sustainable way to fund your business.

The SBA Microloan Program is often the most accessible option for small business owners, especially if you’re just starting out or working to improve your credit. These loans go up to $50,000 and are issued through intermediary financiers who often provide application help and business guidance.

If you’ve struggled to qualify for traditional loans, this SBA option could be a practical first step.

It’s more competitive than it used to be, but getting an SBA loan is still possible.

The minimum Small Business Scoring Service (“SBSS”) credit score required recently increased from 155 to 165, which means financiers are now a bit stricter. This is subject to change so check their website for the latest requirements.

If an SBA loan isn’t the best fit, we will recommend another option to keep your business moving forward without unnecessary delays.

SBA loans take time: usually 30 to 90 days.

As an SBA loan is backed by the federal government, this adds extra steps like eligibility checks, documentation, and third-party verification.

You can apply for up to $5 million through the standard SBA 7(a). If you’re looking at SBA Express or the 7(a) Small Loan program, those typically cap out around $350,000. SBA Express also offers up to $500,000.

SBA 504 loans can be used for big investments like equipment or property and can be stacked with other loans up to the $5 million lifetime cap.

If you don’t qualify for an SBA loan, you’re not out of options.

At Credibly, we help you explore other financing options like working capital loans, lines of credit, or long-term loans with faster approval times and flexible terms.

Our financing experts walk you through every option to help you find the right fit for right now.

Getting denied for an SBA loan can happen for a few reasons: poor credit, low cash flow, or lack of collateral.

Even if you’re disqualified from one SBA program, Credibly can help you explore other financing options.

We’ll work with you to understand your situation and match you with a funding path that supports your next step.

When applying for an SBA 7(a) loan, you’ll need to show proof that your business can handle the loan.

This includes documents like recent bank statements, personal and business tax returns, retirement account statements, and sometimes life insurance policies with cash value.

Yes, bank statements are a key part of the SBA loan process.

Financiers want to see how your business handles money, whether it’s managing steady cash flow or covering expenses. You’ll likely be asked to provide both business and personal statements, along with profit and loss reports and tax returns. This helps financiers evaluate your ability to repay.

There’s no hard cutoff, but most SBA financiers look for a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 50%. This means your monthly debt remittances shouldn’t take up more than half your income. A higher DTI signals greater risk, which can make it harder to get approved.

But DTI is just one part of the picture. At Credibly, we help you understand how your full financial profile stacks up, and whether an SBA loan, or another funding option, is the smarter move for your business.

Healthy debt depends on your business size, industry, and growth stage. As a general rule, keeping your debt remittances under 30% of gross income and maintaining a debt-to-asset ratio between 25–40% can help you stay in the safe zone.

Too much debt can limit your ability to reinvest, while too little might keep you from seizing opportunities.

Most SBA 7(a) loans require a minimum down payment of 0% to 10%, depending on your credit score. If you're borrowing less than $150,000, the SBA may guarantee up to 85% of the loan.

The exact amount depends on how you're using the loan and how strong your financials are.

Yes, in most cases SBA loans require collateral. That could include business equipment, vehicles, inventory, or property; something of value to secure the loan.

For larger loans, personal assets may also be required. It’s the SBA’s way of reducing risk for financiers.

But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options if you lack traditional collateral. Credibly helps you evaluate what you have, what’s required, and what other financing options might work if you’re not a fit.

In some cases, yes. SBA 7(a) loans used for business expansion may qualify for 100% financing.

However, if you're applying for a startup loan or business acquisition, you’ll likely need to bring 10–20% to the table. Every situation is different.

SBA loans offer strong benefits, but they’re not always fast or simple. The application process can be slow and document-heavy, often taking 30–90 days. You’ll need good credit, detailed financials, and possibly collateral or a personal guarantee.

Plus, eligibility rules are strict.

SBA loans typically don’t impact your personal credit score directly. While financiers may check your credit during the application process, your SBA loan activity usually won’t show up on your personal credit report unless you default.

Not quite. SBA 7(a) loans must be used for approved business purposes, like working capital, equipment purchases, expansion, or refinancing existing debt.

If you’re buying property, there are specific SBA real estate loans available. Funds can’t be used for personal expenses or speculative ventures.

Yes, you can, but timing matters. For SBA loans with terms of 15 years or more, you can prepay up to 20% without penalty. If you pay off more than that within the first three years, a small fee applies: 5% in year one, 3% in year two, and 1% in year three.

To qualify for SBA programs, your business must meet five key requirements:

1. Be a for-profit entity
2. Operate within the U.S. or its territories
3. Be independently owned and operated
4. Meet SBA-defined size standards (based on industry)
5. Show the ability to repay the loans

Financiers may add their own criteria on top of this.

The SBA’s 20% rule comes into play during business acquisitions.

If you’re buying 20% or more of a business, you must personally co-guarantee the loan. And if the seller keeps less than 20% ownership after the sale, they’re still required to personally guarantee the loan for two years.