Major SBA Small Business Loan Programs SBA provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses including the 7(m), 7(a), 504 and disaster assistance loans.

• 7(m) Microloans
  SBA small business loans for up to $35,000 on a short term basis. May be used for inventory, supplies and working capital.
• SBA 7(a) Loans
  It may be used for start-up, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or real-estate acquisition. The SBA will guarantee up to $750,000 of a bank loan. Interest rates are negotiated between the applicant and the bank.
• SBA Express
  The Express program encourages banks to make more small business loans to small businesses directly (i.e., without SBA direct involvement). Under this program, banks themselves approve loans up to $150,000, and can even include revolving lines of credit.
• Prequalification Program
  Under this program, it is the SBA that does the determination for a loan. Certain applicants -- such as veterans, minorities, exporters, rural small business owners and certain specialized businesses -- can be "prequalified" by the SBA before they approach a bank. The SBA judges the applicant on character, credit, experience and reliability rather than assets. May be for loans up to $250,000.
• Low Documentation Loans
  Small businesses looking for less than $150,000 may qualify for a "low doc" loan, which simply means less paperwork.
• 504 SBA Loans
  The 504 program provides long-term, fixed-asset financing through certified development companies. May be up to $1 million.
• Other SBA loan programs