{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/maximum-allowable-rate","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/maximum-allowable-rate","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":"maximum-allowable-rate","term":"Maximum Allowable Rate","group":"The loan itself","definition":"The highest interest rate an SBA lender is permitted to charge on a 7(a) loan, consisting of a base rate plus a spread. This caps your borrowing costs.","what_it_means":"The SBA sets a maximum allowable interest rate for 7(a) loans, typically the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate (or Term SOFR) plus a fixed spread, depending on the loan size and term. Your lender cannot charge more than this cap. Always compare proposed rates to the current maximum to ensure you're not overpaying.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/maximum-allowable-rate","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":"wsj-prime","term":"WSJ Prime","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/wsj-prime"},{"slug":"spread","term":"Spread","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/spread"},{"slug":"base-rate","term":"Base rate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/base-rate"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What are the maximum allowable interest rates for variable rate 7(a) loans, including the permissible spread?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-maximum-allowable-interest-rates-for-variable-rate-7-a-loans-including-the-pe"},{"question":"How do lenders determine the maximum allowable interest rate for a variable rate 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-do-lenders-determine-the-maximum-allowable-interest-rate-for-a-variable-rate-7-a-loan"},{"question":"How does a lender determine the maximum allowable interest rate for a variable-rate 7(a) loan tied to the WSJ Prime?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-determine-the-maximum-allowable-interest-rate-for-a-variable-rate-7-a-lo"},{"question":"What are the current allowable alternative base rate options for variable rate 7(a) loans, besides Prime Rate?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-current-allowable-alternative-base-rate-options-for-variable-rate-7-a-loans-b"},{"question":"What is the maximum allowable loan term for a 7(a) loan used solely for working capital?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-maximum-allowable-loan-term-for-a-7-a-loan-used-solely-for-working-capital"},{"question":"What is the specific maximum interest rate a lender can charge on a variable rate 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-specific-maximum-interest-rate-a-lender-can-charge-on-a-variable-rate-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 — Maximum Allowable Rate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/maximum-allowable-rate","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}