Since this is a government program, remember that requirements and practices and size definitions are subject to change depending on fiscal policy and economic conditions.
Some entrepreneurs and business owners have misconceptions about SBA-backed loans. "The business has to be in good standing," Cruz says. "Another misconception is the SBA comes in to help a business that would have failed. 'We the people' don't want out money to be used to guarantee a failing business. The program doesn't exist just to give a woman a loan. She has to be a woman with decent credit, money of her own, a great business plan, and a little success. You can't have a business that lost money and expect the SBA or anybody else to guarantee that loan. It wouldn't make sense."
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How to Secure an SBA Loan: Types of SBA Loans
SBA loans come in several types, with different allowable uses. "Most of these loans can be used for working capital, to renovate business facilities, purchase equipment, finance receivables, and in some cases, finance the purchase of company facilities," Anderson says. "Existing businesses and start-ups can qualify for SBA business loans, but some lenders do not fund start-ups."
Before applying, it's best to do your homework about the different types of loans. Most are known by names that reflect the section of the law that created the loan category. Here are the basic categories of SBA-backed loans:
1. 7 (a) Loan Program
This is the SBA's most commonly used -- and most flexible -- type of loan to help start-up and existing small businesses when they can't get funding through normal channels. It was named for section 7(a) of the Small Business Act. It's flexible because it can be used for a variety of purposes, including buying machinery or equipment or furniture, purchasing real estate, leasehold improvements, working capital or even debt refinancing. The maturity term for these loans is up to 10 years for working capital and up to 25 years for fixed assets. In general, the SBA's maximum exposure for such loans is capped at $1.5 million and since the agency will back up to 75 percent of a 7(a) loan that means a business could borrow up to $2 million. (The SBA's share of such loans was raised to 90 percent under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which became law in February 2009, but is expected to drop back down unless extended by Congress.)
Within 7 (a) loans, there are different types, including:
• Express Programs This includes SBAExpress, an accelerated loan that promises a response to an application within 36 hours. The maximum guarantee for these loans is 50 percent. Other categories include Community Express, for businesses needing financial and technical assistance in underserved communities, and Patriot Express, which are designed for businesses majority-owned by veterans or members of the military.
• Export Loan Programs These are designed to help companies that export with loans and working capital.
• Rural Lender Advantage Program These loans are designed to promote the economic development in rural communities, in particular communities that are losing population, have high unemployment, or are losing industries.
• Special Purpose Loans Program This category includes help to businesses for a range of reasons, from negative impacts from the North American Free Trade Agreement to helping implement pollution controls to providing assistance to Employee Stock Ownership Plans.
2. CDC/504 Loan Program
This is the type of loan that provides small businesses with long-term, fixed rate funding to buy generally real estate or machinery or equipment for expansion or modernization. A private lender must agree to cover up to 50 percent of the loan. Meanwhile, a Certified Development Company, which is one of hundreds of private, nonprofit corporations designed to help economic development, picks up 40 percent of the loan. The borrower must contribute at least 10 percent equity. "This loan involves a major capital acquisition for machinery, equipment, and/or real estate," Cruz says. "A business may want to move out of rental space and buy a small building and this is the loan for them. They have to have 51 percent occupancy. You could not buy the building and occupy only 1 percent." The SBA's maximum debenture is $1.5 million when companies agree to job creation or community development goals. In general, businesses are required to create or retain one job for every $65,000 funded by the SBA -- although small manufacturers have a $100,000 job retention or creation requirement. That SBA contribution can go up to $2 million ($4 million for small manufacturers) if public policy goals are met, including revitalization of a business district, export expansion, minority business develop, rural development, among other goals.
