SBA Term Loans

Finance a wide range of business needs

Grow your business on your terms

Our SBA lenders partner with you to deliver tailored financing solutions for your growing business's short- and long-term needs. With decades of experience working with multiple markets and industries, we're dedicated to navigating you through every touchpoint of the SBA's 7(a), 504 and Express loan options.

Preserve capital

Lower down-payment requirements let you hold onto funds or deploy them elsewhere within your business.

Enhance cash flow

Longer amortizations help your business spread out loan payments and manage cash flow over time.

Optimize collateral

No loan-to-value requirements allow you to borrow funds with limited collateral.

SBA 7(a), 504 and Express Loan Details

SBA term loan programs

SBA 7(a) loans

SBA 504 loans

SBA Express loans

Use of proceeds

Most flexible use of proceeds including acquisition, partner buyout or buy-in, startup, expansion, working capital, equipment inventory, debt refinance, construction, renovation, leasehold improvements, franchise financing and commercial real estate

Commercial real estate and equipment acquisitions

Working capital and most business asset purchases, excluding titled vehicles

Loan amount

$500,000 to $5,000,000

Up to $13.5 millionD

$50,000 to $500,000

Down paymentD

Up to 100% financing available

As low as 10%

100% financing

TermD

Longer terms with repayment up to 25 years for real estate; for all other uses, up to 10 years full amortization with no balloon payments; initial flexible payment schedules to assist during business ramp up or transition period

Up to 25 years for commercial real estate and up to 15 years for equipment

Up to 10 years full amortization with no balloon payments; initial flexible payment schedules

Prepayment penalty

Prepayment penalties apply to loan terms of 15 years or more

Prepayment penalties apply

None

How it works

The SBA term loan process

Whether you're starting a business, acquiring one or expanding your existing operations, we can work with you to deliver the capital needed to bring your business positive results.

Step 1

Discuss options

Consult with an experienced SBA lender to discuss your business plans and financing needs and determine an ideal loan structure.

Step 2

Application

Our specialists provide a list of required SBA documentation and guidance along the way.

Step 3

Underwriting

Our SBA underwriting team reviews the request and decisions the loan.

Step 4

Closing

Upon approval, our SBA closing team provides a checklist and guides you through the final phase of your loan.

Step 5

Continue partnership

After closing, you'll gain access to our branch network, a local banker, online business banking resources and our SBA servicing team.

SBA Loan FAQ

People often ask us

The US Small Business Administration, or SBA, helps finance new businesses and helps existing businesses flourish through a federal loan program. A loan from the SBA is a partnership between First Citizens Bank and the SBA that provides a government guarantee.

You can use SBA loans to:

  • Start your own business
  • Purchase another business
  • Purchase commercial real estate
  • Finalize a partner buyout
  • Finance a franchise
  • Refinance debt
  • Buy inventory, furniture, fixtures and equipment
  • Gain working and expansion capital
  • Finance construction for ground-up or leasehold improvements

An SBA Express loan, a subset of the 7(a) loan program, offers longer terms and no down-payment requirements. This type of loan, which is ideal for business expansion, can help you access working capital, add inventory, fund leasehold improvements, and purchase machinery and equipment.

In order to qualify for an SBA loan, your business must:

  • Be organized for profit
  • Be located and primarily operate in the US
  • Meet SBA size standards
  • Demonstrate the need for financing
  • Document that SBA loan proceeds will be used for business purposes
  • Not have a history of defaulting on a federal loan or federally assisted financing, creating a loss to the federal government

Once a full application is submitted for an SBA loan, the targeted funding date can be 45 days or less.

The maximum term of an SBA loan is dependent upon the use of proceeds and can range from 10 to 25 years. SBA loans for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, business expansion, furniture and equipment purchases, tenant improvements, inventory and working capital carry a 10-year maximum term. Real estate loans carry a maximum of 25 years.

Both business and personal credit scores are key for SBA loan consideration. The higher the blended scores, the greater the likelihood for approval.

SBA loan resources include: SCORE, SBDC, SBA, and veterans and women's regional centers.

SBA Loan Insights

Insights for your business

No results found

Normal credit approval applies.

Approved to offer SBA loan products under the SBA Preferred Lenders program.

First Citizens Bank offers SBA 7(a) loans in select areas within Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

Equity injection requirements will vary depending on type and amount of financing being requested.

Term of the loan will depend on use of funds.

The maximum SBA 504 portion of a loan is $5 million. For certain energy projects, the SBA 504 portion can be up to $5.5 million for up to three projects not to exceed $16.5 million total.

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NMLSR ID 503941