🏛️ SBA-Backed Financing

SBA Loans from $25K to $5M+ — Backed by the Small Business Administration

Built by commercial finance veterans with 15+ years placing SBA deals. We handle lender matching, documentation, and closing — so you don't have to.

Up to 25 yrs
Loan term (real estate)
680+
Credit score ideal
$25K – $5M+
SBA loan range — 7(a), 504, Microloan & Express
15+
Years commercial finance
50+
SBA lender relationships
4
SBA programs covered
45–90 days
Typical time to close

Four SBA loan programs. One place to access all of them.

We match your deal to the right SBA program and the right lender for it — based on deal size, use of proceeds, and business profile.

SBA 7(a)
Up to $5M

The SBA 7(a) Loan

The flagship SBA program. Use it for working capital, equipment, real estate, business acquisition, or refinancing existing debt. The most flexible SBA product and the most common close in our pipeline.

Up to 10-yr working capital 25-yr real estate 2+ yrs TIB preferred
SBA 504
$125K – $5M+

The SBA 504 Loan

Built for commercial real estate purchase and major equipment. Structured as a bank loan plus a CDC (Certified Development Company) debenture. Lower down payment than conventional — typically 10% for established businesses.

10% down typical CRE & equipment Fixed rate on CDC portion
SBA Microloan
Up to $50K

SBA Microloan

Smaller-dollar program administered through SBA-approved intermediary lenders. Ideal for startups, sole proprietors, and businesses that need seed capital, inventory, or equipment without the full 7(a) documentation burden.

Startup-accessible 6-yr max term Nonprofit intermediaries
SBA Express
Up to $500K

SBA Express Loan

A streamlined 7(a) variant with faster SBA turnaround — typically 36 hours for an SBA decision vs. 5–10 days for standard. Lower documentation threshold. Best for creditworthy borrowers who need speed.

36-hr SBA decision Faster close Credit-driven

What lenders actually look at.

These are the core factors SBA lenders evaluate. Not every box needs to be perfect — strong performance in one area can offset weakness in another. This is where our experience matters.

  • 📅 Time in business: 2+ years preferred. Some lenders go to 1 year with strong cash flow. Startups face a higher bar.
  • 📊 Personal credit score: 680+ is the target. 650–679 with compensating factors. Below 650 is a hard-to-overcome barrier with most SBA lenders.
  • 💰 Revenue & cash flow: Lenders want documented revenue and a DSCR (debt service coverage ratio) of 1.25x or better after the new loan payment.
  • 🏠 Collateral: Business and personal assets are pledged when available. Insufficient collateral alone won't kill the deal — cash flow and creditworthiness come first.
  • 🇺🇸 US-based, for-profit business: SBA loans are limited to for-profit businesses operating in the United States.
  • ✍️ Personal guarantee: Required from all owners with 20%+ equity. This is a standard SBA requirement — not negotiable.

Not sure if you qualify?

Tell us about your business and we'll give you a straight answer. We've placed deals for borrowers other lenders turned down — and we'll tell you upfront if the timing isn't right.

Get Pre-Qualified → SBA Qualification Guide (Free PDF)
Who This Is For

Industries we close SBA deals for.

SBA loans work across nearly every industry. These are the verticals where we have the most lender matches and the fastest path to close.

🏗️

Construction & Contractors

Equipment, working capital, and CRE for general contractors and specialty trades.

❄️

HVAC & Home Services

Fleet, equipment, and acquisition financing for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesses.

🍽️

Restaurants & Food Service

Expansion, remodel, and acquisition loans for single-location and multi-unit operators.

🦷

Dental & Medical Practices

Practice acquisition, buildout, and equipment financing for licensed healthcare providers.

🔑

Franchise Owners

SBA is the preferred funding vehicle for franchise launches and multi-unit expansion.

🏭

Manufacturing

Equipment, facility acquisition, and working capital for light and heavy manufacturing.

🚛

Trucking & Logistics

Fleet financing and working capital for owner-operators and mid-size carriers.

🤝

Business Acquisition

SBA 7(a) is the most common vehicle for buying an existing profitable business.

Why SBA loans beat conventional financing for most small businesses.

01

Longer repayment terms

Up to 25 years for real estate, 10 years for working capital, and 10 years for equipment. Longer terms mean lower monthly payments and better cash flow for your business.

02

Lower down payments

SBA 7(a) typically requires 10–20% down. SBA 504 for established businesses often comes in at 10%. Conventional commercial loans typically want 20–35%.

03

Competitive, capped rates

SBA sets maximum interest rates lenders can charge. On 7(a) loans, rates are tied to the prime rate with a lender spread cap. You're protected from predatory pricing.

04

Higher loan amounts

SBA 7(a) goes up to $5M. SBA 504 effectively has no hard ceiling when combined with the bank portion. Conventional small business loans rarely exceed $1–2M for most industries.

Common questions about SBA loans.

Most SBA 7(a) loans close in 45–90 days once a complete package is submitted. SBA Express loans can close in 30–45 days. SBA 504 loans often run 60–90 days due to the CDC/SBA dual-approval structure. Having your documents ready before you apply is the single biggest factor in timeline. We help you get the package right the first time.
Typical SBA loan documentation includes: 2–3 years of business and personal tax returns, 3–6 months of business bank statements, year-to-date profit & loss and balance sheet, a business plan or use-of-proceeds summary, personal financial statement (SBA Form 413), and an existing business debt schedule. We walk you through the full list — and flag gaps — before you apply. Download our free Funding Readiness Checklist to start.
Yes. SBA policy requires a personal guarantee from any owner holding 20% or more of the business. This is standard across all SBA loan programs — it is not negotiable at the lender level. If you are not the sole owner, all owners at or above the 20% threshold are required to personally guarantee the loan.
The SBA requires lenders to take available collateral — business assets, real estate, or equipment — but insufficient collateral alone will not disqualify you. Lenders cannot decline an otherwise creditworthy loan solely because the borrower lacks sufficient collateral. Strong cash flow, solid credit, and time in business can offset collateral gaps. We know which lenders have the most flexibility on collateral for your specific deal type.
SBA 7(a) loans with maturities of 15 years or more carry a prepayment penalty in the first 3 years (5% in year one, 3% in year two, 1% in year three of the prepaid amount). Loans under 15 years typically have no prepayment penalty. SBA 504 loans carry a declining prepayment premium over roughly the first 10 years on the CDC debenture.
Banks are constrained to their own SBA credit appetite — they can only lend what their committee approves for your deal type, size, and industry. LeadCove has relationships with 50+ SBA lenders, so we match your specific deal to the lender most likely to approve it at the best terms. We also prepare your package, handle lender communications, and manage the process to close. Most borrowers who go direct spend months being bounced between banks before finding a fit — if they find one at all.
Most SBA lenders want to see a personal credit score of 680 or above. Some programs and lenders will consider scores in the 650–679 range with strong compensating factors (cash flow, collateral, industry track record). Scores below 650 typically require significant offsetting strength to proceed. If your score isn't there yet, we can tell you exactly what to address before applying.
Startups are eligible for SBA loans, but lenders set their own standards on top of SBA minimums. Most SBA lenders prefer 2+ years in business with documented revenue. Startups with strong collateral, owner industry experience, or a clear acquisition/franchise structure have a better path. SBA Microloans (up to $50K) are the most startup-accessible program. We'll give you a straight answer on your specific situation.

Tell us about your deal.

Under 3 minutes. We'll follow up within one business day with a match or a straight answer on fit.

SBA Loans by State — All 50 States.

State-specific SBA guidance, lender context, and top-funded industries — pick your state for a tailored approval guide.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

SBA Loans by Industry

Industry-specific loan guides with approval requirements, use-of-funds, and lender expectations for your sector.

❄️
HVAC — $250K
Fleet, equipment & working capital
🏗️
Construction — $500K
Equipment, bonding & growth capital
🏥
Medical — $1M
Practice acquisition & equipment
🚛
Trucking — $250K
Semi trucks, trailers & fleet growth
🍽️
Restaurants — $500K
Expansion, renovation & new locations
🏭
Manufacturing — $1M
Machinery, facility & production lines
🔧
Auto Repair — $100K
Lifts, diagnostics & shop expansion
🤝
Acquisition — $2M
Business acquisition SBA 7(a)
All Industries & Amounts
View the full funding hub

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Earn referral fees when your clients get funded. $25K–$5M+, all 50 states, no exclusivity.

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