# ACESBA

> ACESBA helps U.S. small business owners prepare for SBA loans. It sells a $19.99 SBA Readiness Report that scores a business the way SBA lenders review a loan file, plus SBA loan application templates, kits and guides. ACESBA is an education and preparation service: it is not a lender or broker, does not make or arrange loans, and is not affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

- Website: https://www.acesba.com
- Owner and operator: ACW & Associates LLC, 500 Crawford Street, Houston, TX 77002, United States
- Contact: support@acesba.com (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern Time (ET))
- Serves: small business owners, startups, franchise buyers and business buyers in the United States preparing for SBA 7(a), 504, Express, Microloan, Export and Disaster loans

## SBA Readiness Report

- [SBA Readiness Report](https://www.acesba.com/assessment): 15 questions, about six minutes, $19.99. Gives a readiness score out of 100, an SBA eligibility check, the best-fit SBA loan program, red flags a lender would question, a 90-day action plan and a document checklist. Includes one free retake within 90 days. No credit check and no account numbers are needed.

## Key SBA lending rules (SOP 50 10 8.1, effective October 1, 2026)

- 7(a): maximum $5,000,000; 7(a) Small loans up to $350,000; SBA Express up to $500,000 with a 50% guaranty. SBA guarantees 85% of 7(a) loans of $150,000 or less and 75% above.
- 7(a) maximum variable rates: Prime + 6.5% ($50,000 or less), + 6.0% ($50,001 to $250,000), + 4.5% ($250,001 to $350,000), + 3.0% (over $350,000). WSJ Prime: 7.00%.
- Debt service coverage minimums: 1.10 for 7(a) Small loans, 1.15 for standard 7(a) loans and business expansions, 1.25 for initial acquisitions and owner buyouts (on historical results), 1.0 global.
- Equity injection: at least 10% of total project costs for start-ups (operating one year or less) and business purchases; seller notes on full standby and other limited sources can cover no more than half in a purchase.
- 504: bank at least 50%, CDC debenture up to 40%, borrower at least 10% (15% for a new business or special-purpose property, 20% for both). Debenture up to $5,000,000, or $5,500,000 per project for small manufacturers and energy projects. Business occupies at least 51% of an existing building or 60% of new construction.
- Ownership: every direct and indirect owner and required guarantor must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national with a principal residence in the U.S.; every owner of 20% or more gives an unlimited personal guaranty.
- Credit: SBA sets no minimum credit score; lenders review owners' and guarantors' credit reports and use their own credit policies.
- Personal financial statements (SBA Form 413) must be dated within 90 days of submission; business financial statements within 120 days.
- Business purchases: the seller may stay only as a consultant for up to 24 months; seller earnouts are prohibited; a Quality of Earnings report is required at $3,000,000 or more.

## SBA loan programs (guides)

- [SBA 7(a) Loan](https://www.acesba.com/sba-loans/7a): Made by banks and other lenders, with SBA guaranteeing part of the loan. It can be used for almost any sound business purpose, from working capital to buying a business or property. Maximum: Up to $5 million.
- [SBA Express Loan](https://www.acesba.com/sba-loans/express): A 7(a) loan where the lender makes the credit decision under its own procedures, which usually means less paperwork and a quicker answer. In exchange SBA guarantees less, so lenders are more selective. Maximum: Up to $500,000.
- [SBA 504 Loan](https://www.acesba.com/sba-loans/504): A project is typically financed by three parties: a bank, a Certified Development Company (CDC) backed by SBA, and the business owner’s own cash injection. The CDC portion carries a fixed rate. Maximum: Up to $5 million for the SBA-backed (CDC) portion; up to $5.5 million per project for small manufacturers and energy projects.
- [SBA Microloan](https://www.acesba.com/sba-loans/microloan): Made by nonprofit, community-based intermediary lenders that also provide business training. Often the most realistic first loan for a new or small business. Maximum: Up to $50,000 (the average is about $13,000).
- [SBA Export Loans](https://www.acesba.com/sba-loans/export): Export Express (up to $500,000), the Export Working Capital Program and International Trade loans (up to $5 million each) carry higher SBA guarantees for export activity. Maximum: Up to $500,000 (Export Express) or $5 million (Export Working Capital, International Trade).
- [SBA Disaster Loans](https://www.acesba.com/sba-loans/disaster): Made directly by SBA, not through banks. Business physical disaster loans repair or replace damaged property; Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) provide working capital while you recover. Maximum: Up to $2 million combined (physical damage and economic injury).
- [Compare SBA loan programs](https://www.acesba.com/sba-loans): limits, terms, rates and eligibility side by side.
- [SBA loan calculator](https://www.acesba.com/sba-loans/calculator): monthly payment estimate using current SBA maximum rate rules.
- [Getting started with SBA loans](https://www.acesba.com/getting-started): the steps from first question to lender application.

## Kits

- [Startup & Microloan Kit](https://www.acesba.com/shop/startup-microloan-pack): Kit, $89.00. For businesses in their first year or borrowing under $50,000.
- [7(a) Loan Package](https://www.acesba.com/shop/loan-package-builder-7a): Kit, $129.00. A complete 7(a) or SBA Express application package.
- [Business Acquisition Kit](https://www.acesba.com/shop/business-acquisition-pack): Kit, $169.00. For buying a business with SBA financing under SOP 50 10 8.1.
- [Real Estate & Equipment (504) Kit](https://www.acesba.com/shop/real-estate-equipment-504-pack): Kit, $139.00. For buying, building or renovating property your business occupies, or major equipment.
- [Disaster Recovery Kit](https://www.acesba.com/shop/disaster-recovery-pack): Kit, $29.00. For businesses affected by a declared disaster.
- [Complete Library](https://www.acesba.com/shop/complete-library): Library, $249.00. All 19 templates and every kit program guide, with 12 months of updates.
- [Presentation Bundle](https://www.acesba.com/shop/presentation-bundle): Bundle, $39.00. The lender deck, one-page loan summary and meeting prep guide together.

## Templates

- [Lender Document Checklist & Tracker](https://www.acesba.com/shop/lender-document-checklist): Template, $19.00. Every document an SBA lender will ask for, organized by loan program, with a tracker to work through it.
- [SBA-Ready Business Plan Template](https://www.acesba.com/shop/business-plan-template): Template, $29.00. A business plan laid out the way lenders read them, with guidance on every section and a complete example.
- [3-Year Projection & Cash Flow Workbook](https://www.acesba.com/shop/projection-cash-flow-workbook): Template, $39.00. Monthly and annual projections that test debt service coverage the way a lender does.
- [Personal Financial Statement Guide (SBA Form 413)](https://www.acesba.com/shop/personal-financial-statement-guide): Template, $15.00. A line-by-line guide and worksheet for completing SBA Form 413 accurately.
- [Loan Request & Use-of-Funds Narrative](https://www.acesba.com/shop/loan-request-narrative): Template, $29.00. The one-to-two page loan request that tells a lender what you need, why, and how you will repay it.
- [Business Debt Schedule](https://www.acesba.com/shop/business-debt-schedule): Template, $15.00. The debt schedule lenders ask for, with row checks, totals and a reconciliation to your balance sheet.
- [Letters of Explanation Kit](https://www.acesba.com/shop/letters-of-explanation-kit): Template, $19.00. Templates for explaining credit events, late payments, tax issues and revenue dips clearly and briefly.
- [Lender Comparison Worksheet](https://www.acesba.com/shop/lender-comparison-worksheet): Template, $15.00. Compare lenders side by side, with 25 questions to ask before you choose one.
- [Equity Injection & Source-of-Funds Kit](https://www.acesba.com/shop/equity-injection-kit): Template, $29.00. Work out the equity SBA requires for your project and document where it comes from.
- [Management, Ownership & Citizenship Pack](https://www.acesba.com/shop/ownership-citizenship-pack): Template, $19.00. Résumés, a full ownership table, the guarantors SBA requires and the citizenship rule every owner must meet.
- [Historical Cash Flow & Add-Back Workbook](https://www.acesba.com/shop/historical-cash-flow-workbook): Template, $39.00. Measures debt service coverage on actual results, with documented add-backs.
- [Startup Cost & Opening Budget Worksheet](https://www.acesba.com/shop/startup-cost-worksheet): Template, $15.00. Every cost of opening the business, the total project cost and the 10% equity it requires.
- [Acquisition Due Diligence & Transition Plan](https://www.acesba.com/shop/acquisition-due-diligence): Template, $29.00. What to verify before you buy, and a transition plan lenders expect to see.
- [504 Project Cost, Contribution & Jobs Worksheet](https://www.acesba.com/shop/project-cost-504-worksheet): Template, $19.00. Builds a 504 project budget and checks the structure and your contribution against SBA limits.
- [Disaster Loss & Insurance Workbook](https://www.acesba.com/shop/disaster-loss-workbook): Template, $15.00. Documents your losses and insurance claims for an SBA disaster loan application.
- [Lender Cover Letter & Package Assembly Guide](https://www.acesba.com/shop/lender-cover-letter): Template, $15.00. A cover letter that introduces your package and a guide to assembling it in the right order.
- [Sources & Uses of Funds Worksheet](https://www.acesba.com/shop/sources-uses-worksheet): Template, $9.00. Matches every cost of the project to the money that pays for it, and checks your equity against SBA rules.
- [Rent Roll & Property Operating Statement](https://www.acesba.com/shop/rent-roll-operating-statement): Template, $19.00. For 504 property owners who lease part of the building, with the 51% occupancy check.
- [Business Valuation Estimator](https://www.acesba.com/shop/business-valuation-estimator): Template, $29.00. Tests whether an asking price is supported before you make an offer.

## Add-ons

- [Lender Presentation Deck](https://www.acesba.com/shop/lender-presentation-deck): Add-on, $19.00. A 12-slide deck for your first lender meeting.
- [One-Page Loan Summary](https://www.acesba.com/shop/one-page-loan-summary): Add-on, $15.00. The executive summary lenders read first and forward to credit.
- [Lender Meeting Prep Guide](https://www.acesba.com/shop/lender-meeting-prep-guide): Add-on, $15.00. The questions lenders and CDCs ask, and how to answer each one.
- [Financial Statement Templates](https://www.acesba.com/shop/financial-statement-templates): Add-on, $19.00. Profit and loss, balance sheet and interim statements in the format lenders expect.
- [Bookkeeping Cleanup Checklist](https://www.acesba.com/shop/bookkeeping-cleanup-checklist): Add-on, $15.00. Gets your books to reconcile with your bank statements and tax returns.
- [Franchise Buyer Addendum](https://www.acesba.com/shop/franchise-buyer-addendum): Add-on, $29.00. What lenders review when the business is a franchise.
- [Acquisition Deal Kit](https://www.acesba.com/shop/acquisition-deal-kit): Add-on, $39.00. Letter of intent terms and the questions to put to a seller.
- [Equity Partner Deck](https://www.acesba.com/shop/equity-partner-deck): Add-on, $29.00. A deck for raising your equity contribution from family, friends or partners.
- [Credit Readiness Planner](https://www.acesba.com/shop/credit-readiness-planner): Add-on, $15.00. A 90-day plan to correct report errors and lower balances before you apply.
- [Post-Funding Compliance Tracker](https://www.acesba.com/shop/post-funding-compliance-tracker): Add-on, $19.00. Keeps you on top of what the lender expects after closing.
- [Lease vs Buy Analysis](https://www.acesba.com/shop/lease-vs-buy-analysis): Add-on, $15.00. Compares owning your premises through 504 with renewing your lease.

## Articles

- [Business debt schedule: what SBA lenders require](https://www.acesba.com/learn/business-debt-schedule): A business debt schedule lists every debt your business owes. What SBA lenders require under SOP 50 10 8.1, the columns to include and how to reconcile it.
- [How to buy a business with an SBA loan (2026)](https://www.acesba.com/learn/buy-a-business-with-sba-loan): SBA business acquisition rules under SOP 50 10 8.1: 10% equity, the seller note limit, 1.25 historical DSCR, valuations and the 24-month seller cap.
- [How to calculate DSCR for an SBA loan](https://www.acesba.com/learn/how-to-calculate-dscr): The DSCR formula, a worked example and SBA minimums under SOP 50 10 8.1: 1.10 for 7(a) Small loans, 1.15 standard 7(a), 1.25 for business purchases.
- [Personal financial statement: SBA Form 413 guide](https://www.acesba.com/learn/personal-financial-statement-sba-form-413): Who completes SBA Form 413, what goes on each line and schedule, how to value assets, and the 90-day rule for 7(a) and 504 loans under SOP 50 10 8.1.
- [SBA 504 real estate loans: requirements (2026)](https://www.acesba.com/learn/sba-504-loan-real-estate): How SBA 504 real estate loans work: the 50/40/10 structure, 10% to 20% down, 51% and 60% occupancy, debenture limits and the jobs rule (SOP 50 10 8.1).
- [How to write a business plan for an SBA loan (2026)](https://www.acesba.com/learn/sba-business-plan): What SBA lenders look for in a business plan, section by section: management, use of funds, equity, projections and debt service coverage (SOP 50 10 8.1).
- [What credit score do you need for an SBA loan? (2026)](https://www.acesba.com/learn/sba-loan-credit-score): SBA sets no minimum credit score for 7(a) or 504 loans. What SOP 50 10 8.1 requires, how lenders review your credit and how to prepare.
- [SBA loan down payment requirements (2026)](https://www.acesba.com/learn/sba-loan-down-payment): SBA down payment (equity injection) rules under SOP 50 10 8.1: 10% for start-ups and purchases, 10% to 20% for 504, what counts and how it is verified.
- [SBA loan requirements 2026: who qualifies](https://www.acesba.com/learn/sba-loan-requirements): SBA loan qualifications under SOP 50 10 8.1: eligibility rules, the citizenship rule, cash flow, equity, credit, collateral and the documents lenders ask for.
- [SBA 7(a) vs 504: which one fits your project?](https://www.acesba.com/learn/sba-7a-vs-504): The two largest SBA loan programs work very differently. How to choose between them based on what you are financing.
- [SBA ownership and citizenship rule (2026): what changed](https://www.acesba.com/learn/sba-ownership-citizenship-rule-2026): Under SOP 50 10 8.1, every owner and guarantor of an SBA 7(a) or 504 borrower must be a U.S. citizen or national living in the U.S. What it means for you.
- [What “bank ready” actually means](https://www.acesba.com/learn/what-bank-ready-means): Lenders decide quickly whether a business is ready to borrow. These are the five things they check first, and how to get each one in order.

## Policies

- [Terms of Service](https://www.acesba.com/terms)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.acesba.com/privacy)
- [Refund Policy](https://www.acesba.com/refund-policy)
- [Disclaimer](https://www.acesba.com/disclaimer)
- [About ACESBA](https://www.acesba.com/about)