{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/interest-rate-cap","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/interest-rate-cap","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"interest-rate-cap","term":"Interest rate cap","group":"The loan itself","definition":"The maximum interest rate that can be charged on a variable-rate SBA loan over its lifetime. This protects you from unlimited increases in your monthly payments if market interest rates spike.","what_it_means":"While your SBA 7(a) loan's variable rate will fluctuate, the SBA mandates a lifetime interest rate cap. This cap is tied to the initial base rate plus a maximum spread, ensuring your payments won't exceed a specific ceiling. Always confirm the exact cap with your lender to understand your worst-case debt service scenario.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/interest-rate-cap","official_sources":[{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"},{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"variable-rate","term":"Variable rate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/variable-rate"},{"slug":"fixed-rate","term":"Fixed rate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fixed-rate"},{"slug":"sba-optional-peg-rate","term":"SBA Optional Peg Rate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-optional-peg-rate"},{"slug":"maximum-allowable-spread","term":"Maximum allowable spread","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/maximum-allowable-spread"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How is the interest rate cap determined for a variable rate 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-is-the-interest-rate-cap-determined-for-a-variable-rate-7-a-loan"},{"question":"How does the SBA ensure that lenders adhere to specific interest rate caps on 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-sba-ensure-that-lenders-adhere-to-specific-interest-rate-caps-on-7-a-loans"},{"question":"What is the difference between a fixed interest rate and a variable interest rate on an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-difference-between-a-fixed-interest-rate-and-a-variable-interest-rate-on-an-sb"},{"question":"How often can the interest rate on a variable-rate SBA 7(a) loan adjust?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-often-can-the-interest-rate-on-a-variable-rate-sba-7-a-loan-adjust"},{"question":"How often can the interest rate change on a variable-rate SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-often-can-the-interest-rate-change-on-a-variable-rate-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"How often can the interest rate change on my variable rate SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-often-can-the-interest-rate-change-on-my-variable-rate-sba-7-a-loan"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Interest rate cap","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/interest-rate-cap","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}