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ACESBA

A faster, simpler 7(a) loan for amounts up to $500,000

SBA Express Loan

An SBA Express loan is a 7(a) loan of up to $500,000 that an approved lender decides under its own delegated authority. SBA guarantees 50%, so lenders tend to reserve it for well-established borrowers with strong credit.

Updated October 2026 for SOP 50 10 8.1, effective October 1, 2026.

Maximum
Up to $500,000
Terms
Same as 7(a) term loans; revolving lines of credit up to 10 years
Rates
Negotiated with the lender, within SBA’s 7(a) maximum rates
SBA guarantee
50%
Collateral
None required for loans up to $50,000; above that, the lender’s own policy applies
How to apply
Through a lender that is approved to make SBA Express loans.

Checked against sba.gov, October 2026. Lenders set their own terms within SBA limits.

Good for

  • Working capital and lines of credit
  • Equipment
  • Businesses with strong records that want speed

Not for

  • Loans above $500,000
  • Applicants who need the lender to stretch on credit

Who qualifies

  • An operating, for-profit business located in the United States
  • Small under SBA size standards for your industry
  • Not an ineligible business type (for example lending, passive real estate, gambling)
  • Every owner and required guarantor a U.S. citizen or U.S. national living in the U.S. (SOP 50 10 8.1)
  • No delinquent federal debt, such as a past-due SBA or student loan
  • Unable to get the same credit on reasonable terms without SBA help
  • Able to show the business can repay the loan
  • The same basic eligibility as a 7(a) loan
  • Lenders usually expect a strong credit profile and a proven business, because SBA guarantees only 50%

What to prepare

  • Recent tax returns and financial statements
  • Business bank statements
  • A short, clear loan request with use of funds

Your lender may ask for more. The Lender Document Checklist covers every program in detail.

SBA Express Loan: common questions

What is the maximum SBA Express loan?
$500,000 in aggregate, made only by lenders with SBA Express authority, with a 50% SBA guaranty (SOP 50 10 8.1, Section B, Ch. 2).
Does an SBA Express loan need collateral?
Not for loans of $50,000 or less. Above that, the lender follows its own collateral policy for similar non-SBA loans.
Can an SBA Express loan be a line of credit?
Yes. SBA Express can be a term loan or a revolving line of credit; revolving lines can run up to 10 years.
What interest rate can an SBA Express loan charge?
The same maximums as other 7(a) loans: Prime plus 3% to 6.5% for variable rates, depending on loan size.