SBA 504 loans are fixed-rated, long-term loans for small businesses offered through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA 504 program supports small business growth and✃ job generation. These loans are funded by certified development companies (CDCs) and third-party lenders and guaranteed by the SBA. They typically require the borrower to have at least 10% equity.
SBA 504 loans have a number of eligibility requirements and rules on how borrowers can use the funds. Like all financing, SBA 504 loans come with fees, interest, and specific repayment terms.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan program offers loans to small businesses that need fixed-rate financing.
- Borrowers can use SBA 504 loans to purchase and build assets to grow their businesses, such as equipment and real estate.
- There are restrictions on how the funds can be used. For example, they cannot be used for working capital.
- The maximum you can borrow with an SBA 504 loan is $5.5 million.
How SBA 504 Loans Work
SBA 504 loans are a financing solution for small business owners who want to purchase real estate or equipment. These loans can be a good option for small business owners who do not qualify for conventional financing.
Fast Fact
In most cases, the maximum amount you can borrow for an SBA 504 loan is $5 million. But some manufacturing and energy-efficient projects can qualify for up to $5.5 million.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) backs the loans, but it does not provide the 🅘funds. CDCs, which are economic development nonprofits, work with banks and credit unions approved by the SBA to prov🎀ide the funding.
A CDC will provide 40% of the funding, while an SBA-approved bank or credit union will provide 50%. Borrowers are responsible for making a 10% contribution.
Main Features of an SBA 504 Loan
SBA 504 loans have specific features that dictate how much you can borrow, how much the loan will cost, and hoไw you can use the funds.
Maximum Amount
Certain eligible energy-efficient or manufacturing projects can qualify for up to $5.5 million in funding. In most cases, the maximum SBA 504 loan amount is $5 million.
Minimum Credit Score
The SBA does not list a minimum credit score requirement for borrowers. SBA lenders may have their own credit score requirements.
Down Payment
Borrowers typically make a 10% down payment on SBA 504 loans.
Fees
Fees are typically 2% to 3% of the 504 part of the loan. Borrowers may have to pay a processing fee, guaranty fee, funding corporation fee, and bond broker fee. Fees can be rolled into the loan amount and therefore financed.
Interest
SBA 504 loan rates are fixed-rate loans. The loan interest rates are set to an increment above the market rate for 10-year U.S. Treasury issues.
Terms
SBA 504 loans are offered for terms of 10, 20, or 25 years.
Uses
Small business owners can use SBA 5⛎04 loans ꩲfor different purposes. You can:
- Buy existing buildings or land
- Buy long-term machinery and equipment
- Construct new facilities
- Make improvements to land, streets, utilities, parking lots, landscaping, and existing facilities
Warning
You cannot use an SBA 504 loan for working capital or to consolidate, refinance, or repay debt.
Time for Funding
It can potentially take you months to go through the application period and processing to receive the funds. SBA loans typically take l💙onger to process than private loans because they have requirements from both 𝔉lenders and the SBA.
Eligibility Requirements to Get an SBA 504 Loan
To qualify for an SBA 504 loan, you must meet several eligibility criteria.
SBA Requirements
- You must operate a for-profit company.
- You have to do business in the United States.
- You need a feasible business plan and relevant management experience.
- You cannot have other available sources of funding.
- Your net worth must be less than $15 million.
- You must meet SBA , which vary by industry
- Your average net income must be less than $5 million after taxes for the two years prior.
- You cannot be engaged in activities like speculation in rental real estate, loan packaging, gambling, multi-sales distribution, or illegal activities.
- You must be able to demonstrate the ability to repay the loan with projected operating cash flow from your business.
- You must demonstrate good character, which is defined by a history of paying debts and obeying the law.
Lender Requirements
Lenders require borrowers to meet all SBA eligibility criteria. SBA lenders may also have their own criteria, such as minimum 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:credit scores or income requirements, which they use to evaluate potential borrowers.
Project Requirements
Borrowers can use SBA 504 loans to buy or build buildings, land, new facilities, and machinery or equipment. They can also use the loan to improve existing facilities. They cannot use the funds for working capital, debt consolidation, or rental real estate investment.
How SBA 504 Loans Compare to Other SBA Loans
The 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:SBA also offers 7(a) loans and microloans. Let’s look in more detail at how both of these loan types compare to 504 loans.
SBA 504 Loan vs. SBA 7(a) Loan
The 7(a) loan program, the SBA’s 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:primary business loan program, offers several different types of loans. Small businesses can receive a maximum of $5 million through this program. SBA 7(a) loans can be used for working capital; acquiring refinancing, or improving real estate and buildings; refinancing business debt; purchasing machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, and supplies; changes of ownership; or multiple purposes. Borrowers are not required to provide 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:collateral for loans of $50,000 or less.
Amount: Maximum of $5.5 million
Eligibility: Businesses must operate for profit, have a net worꦐth less than $15 million, and meet net income requirements.
Terms: 10-, 20-, and 25-year terms
Interest rates: Tied to 10-year U.S. Treasury issues
Fees: Various
Collateral: Project assets bein🔯g financed by the loan serve as co💦llateral.
Uses: Purchase, construction, or improvement of buildingsܫ, land, new facilities, and machinery and equipment
Amount: Maximum of $5 million
Eligibility: Businesses must operat𝔉e for profit, operate in the U.S., have owner equity to invest, and 🦂exhaust other financial resources before applying.
Terms: 10 years for a working capital or inventory loan or an equipment loan, and 25 yearsꦗ for a real estate loan
Interest rates: Negotiated by borꦅrowers and lenders, not to exceed the SBA’s maximums
Fees: Vary depending on the size of the loan
Collateral: Not required for loans of $50,000 or less
Uses: Working capital, real estate, equipment, construction, establis🅺hing a new business, inventory, and refinancing business debt
SBA 504 Loan vs. SBA Microloan
SBA microloans offers small businesses $50,000 or less in funding. Small businesses can use these loans for working capital, equipment, machinery, fixtures, furniture, supplies, and inventory.
Amount: Maximum of $5.5 million
Eligibility:🏅 Businesses must operate for profit, have a net worth less than $15 million, and meet net income requirements.
Terms: 10-, 20-, and 25-year terms
Interest rates: Tied to 10-year U.S. Treasury issues
Fees: Various
Collateral: Projec♛t assets being financ🍨ed by the loan serve as collateral.
Uses:ไ Purchase, construction, or im🦄provement of buildings, land, new facilities, and machinery and equipment
Amount: Maximum of $50,000
Eligibility: Criteria specific to the intermediary lender
Terms: Maximum of seven years
Interest rates: Varies depending on the intermediary lender
Fees: Calculated based on intermediary’s cos♑t of fu♍nds and loan amount
Collateral: Typically required
Uses: Working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machine🧜ry, and equipment
How to Apply for an SBA 504 Loan
You will need to find a CDC to apply for an SBA 504 loan. The SBA that allows you to search for local CDCs. The CDC and the borrower will complete an application, which the SBA will use to determine the applicant’s eligibility for the loan. You will need to provide personal information and information about your business.
Repaying an SBA 504 Loan
You will repay your SBA loan in monthly installments determined by your loan total, interest rate, and terms. Payments can be made by 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:automated clearing house (ACH), wire, or check.
You can ask your CDC about any payment questions you have.
How Long Does It Take to Get an SBA 504 Loan?
Once you apply for an SBA 504 loan, processing can take a month or more. SBA loans typically take longer than applying for personal loans or private business loans bec✱ause you must meet both the lender’s criteria and the SBA’s criteria.
What Are the Fees Associated with an SBA 504 Loan?
Borrowers must pay several fees, such as a processing fee, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:guaranty/guarantee fee, and bond broker fee. In fiscal year 2025 (for loans approved Oct. 1, 2024 though Sept. 30, 2025), the upfront guaranty fee is 0%, and the annual service fee is 0.331% of the outstanding loan balance.
Can You Pay Off an SBA 504 Loan Early?
SBA 504 20- and 25-year loans have 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:prepayment penalties if you prepay within the first 10 years of your loan. The prepayment penalty varies, but it declines each year through the first 10 years of your loan. After 10 years, there are no prepayment penalties. Ten-year loans can be repaid with no penalty after five years.
Are SBA 504 Loans Fixed?
SBA 504 loans are a type of 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:fixed-rate financing, so the amount of your payments will not change over time as they would with variable-rate financing.
What Is the 90% Rule for SBA 504 Loans?
If an 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:appraisal of commercial real estate is determined to be less than 90% of the estimated value, then the SBA loan amount must be reduced or the CDC must obtain additional collateral from the borrower.
The Bottom Line
SBA 504 loans can be an affordable financing option for small business owners who qualify. Borrowers can compare SBA 504 loan features, fees, interest, and terms with other financing options to decide what works best for their small business.