SBA 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 business's short- and long-term needs. With decades of experience and industry-specific expertise, we're here to help you navigate every facet of our SBA 7(a) loan process.

Ready to get started?

Provide some preliminary information for your SBA 7(a) loan inquiry.

* Minimum loan of $500,000

Kick off the SBA loan inquiry process

Benefits of an SBA loan

Preserve capital

Lower down payment requirements mean you can put cash to work elsewhere in 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.

How It Works
The SBA term loan process

Whether you're starting a business, acquiring one or expanding your existing operation, we can work with you to deliver the financing you need to reach your goals.

Step 1

Contact us

Provide preliminary information by filling out the SBA loan inquiry form.

Step 2

Application

Our specialists provide a list of required SBA documentation and guidance during the inquiry and application process.

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.

Program Details
SBA 7(a) term loan program

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

Loan amount

$500,000 to $5,000,000

Down paymentD

Up to 100% financing available

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

Prepayment penalty

Prepayment penalties apply to loan terms of 15 years or more

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 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

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.

SBA loan terms are 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.

While credit score requirements vary, both business and personal credit scores are key for SBA lending consideration. The higher the blended scores, the greater the likelihood for approval.

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

Available SBA resources include:

Available SBA resources include:

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 all US states except Vermont.

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.

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

Term of the loan will depend on use of funds.

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