SBA 7(a)
The Small Business Administration’s flagship loan program, often used to buy a Main Street business or refinance acquisition debt.
Last updated September 5, 2026
An SBA 7(a) loan is made by a participating lender and partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. It is the most common SBA product for buying a business, including goodwill, equipment, and sometimes working capital. Borrowers should expect a down payment, personal guarantees, and underwriting of cash flow, experience, and collateral. Terms, fees, and eligibility change; the lender — not the listing — decides what a given deal can support.