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SBA Financing

Small Business Administration Loans

SBA does not make direct loans to small businesses. Rather, SBA sets the guidelines for loans, which are then made by its partners (lenders, community development organizations, and microlending institutions). The SBA guarantees that these loans will be repaid, thus eliminating some of the risk to the lending partners. So when a business applies for an SBA loan, it is actually applying for a commercial loan, structured according to SBA requirements with an SBA guaranty. SBA-guaranteed loans may not be made to a small business if the borrower has access to other financing on reasonable terms.

SBA loan guaranty requirements and practices can change as the Government alters its fiscal policy and priorities to meet current economic conditions. Therefore, you can’t rely on past policy when seeking assistance in today's market.

Basic 7(a) Loan Program

Gives 7(a) loans to eligible borrowers for starting, acquiring and expanding a small business. This type of loan is the most basic and the most used within SBA's business loan programs. Borrowers must apply through a participating lender institution.

Contra Costa Small Business Development Center -  (925) 602-6806 - Pleasant Hill, CA
Contra Costa SBDC can help you access the 7(a) loan program as well as obtain business advising through their network of advisors. You must register, but registration is free. 

Certified Development Company (CDC) 504 Loan Program

Provides growing businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. 

A 504 loan can be used for:

  • The purchase of land, including existing buildings
  • The purchase of improvements, including grading, street improvements, utilities, parking lots and landscaping
  • The construction of new facilities or modernizing, renovating or converting existing facilities
  • The purchase of long-term machinery and equipment

A 504 loan cannot be used for:

  • Working capital or inventory
  • Consolidating, repaying or refinancing debt
  • Speculation or investment in rental real estate

TMC Financing - (415) 989-8855 - San Francisco, CA
Founded in 1981, TMC Financing is the largest provider of SBA 504 commercial real estate financing in Northern California and Southern Nevada. TMC has funded projects worth more than $8 billion across California and Nevada.

Captial Access Group - (415) 217-4165 - San Francisco, CA
A leading Certified Development Companies (CDCs) in the US, Capital Access Group have become one of the most trusted lending partners. With over 30 years of experience, real estate brokers and bankers turn to Capital Access Group for a partner they can count on.

Bay Area Development Company - (925) 926-1020 - Walnut Creek, CA
Founded in 1981, Bay Area Development Company is an SBA licensed lender that works with banks and the SBA’s 504 program to provide small and mid-sized companies with long-term commercial real estate financing. The loans have fixed, below-market interest rates and low down payments which allow businesses to purchase land and buildings, renovate existing facilities and acquire equipment.

Microloan Program

Offers very small loans to start-up, newly established or growing small business concerns. SBA makes funds available to nonprofit community-based lenders which, in turn, make loans to eligible borrowers in amounts up to a maximum of $50,000. Applications are submitted to the local intermediary, and all credit decisions are made on the local level.