{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/variable-interest-rate","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/variable-interest-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":"variable-interest-rate","term":"Variable interest rate","group":"The loan itself","definition":"A variable interest rate fluctuates over the loan's term, typically tied to a benchmark like Term SOFR plus a fixed spread. This means your monthly payments can change.","what_it_means":"Most SBA 7(a) loans come with a variable interest rate. Your lender will set the rate as a spread above Term SOFR. While a variable rate might offer lower initial payments if rates are low, be prepared for potential increases that could impact your cash flow after debt service. Model different rate scenarios to understand your risk.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/variable-interest-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":"fixed-interest-rate","term":"Fixed interest rate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fixed-interest-rate"},{"slug":"term-sofr","term":"Term SOFR","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/term-sofr"},{"slug":"spread","term":"Spread","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/spread"},{"slug":"cash-flow-after-debt-service","term":"Cash flow after debt service","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/cash-flow-after-debt-service"}],"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 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 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"},{"question":"Can a lender unilaterally increase the interest rate on a variable rate 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-lender-unilaterally-increase-the-interest-rate-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 — Variable interest rate","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/variable-interest-rate","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}