Get matched with an SBA lender
Four questions. You'll see your maximum SBA rate, the program that fits, and SBA lenders for your state and industry. Free, no sign-up, no credit check.
How this works
SBA loans are made by private lenders: banks, credit unions, CDCs and nonprofit microlenders. The SBA guarantees part of the loan and caps the rate, but each lender decides whether to approve you and what to charge under the cap. Matching is about finding lenders that actually close loans like yours: the right size, the right program and, ideally, your industry.
- Pick the program. Under $50,000 often means a microloan or a small 7(a). Property and heavy equipment usually fit the fixed-rate 504. Most other needs are 7(a).
- Shortlist lenders. Start with lenders in your state from our SBA lenders list, plus a high-volume national SBA lender.
- Use SBA Lender Match. The SBA's free referral tool sends your request to participating lenders, who contact you within a few days if interested.
- Compare quotes. Ask each lender for the spread over prime, fees, collateral and timeline in writing.
Questions
Does it cost anything to get matched?
No. This tool is free and doesn't ask for your name, Social Security number or credit. It shows lenders from our directory and points you to the SBA's own free Lender Match service, where participating lenders contact you.
Will getting matched affect my credit score?
Not here. We don't collect personal data or pull credit. A lender will usually do a credit check once you formally apply, and some start with a soft pull that doesn't affect your score. Ask before you authorize it.
How many lenders should I talk to?
At least two, ideally three. SBA rates are capped, but lenders still price differently under the cap, and fees, collateral requirements and speed vary a lot. A one-point difference on a $500,000 loan is roughly $250 a month.
What do I need before I apply for an SBA loan?
Two to three years of business and personal tax returns, year-to-date financials, a debt schedule, a personal financial statement (SBA Form 413), and for start-ups or acquisitions a business plan with projections. See our SBA loan documentation checklist.
Sources: SBA 7(a) terms, conditions and maximum variable rates; Federal Reserve H.15 selected interest rates (bank prime loan rate); November 2026 SBA 504 debenture pricing, as published by CDCs; SBA FOIA 7(a) and 504 loan-level data.