SBA loan basics
Short answer
Your business's industry affects eligibility because the SBA has specific size standards for different industries and a list of certain types of businesses that are ineligible.
The SBA's 'small business' definition varies by industry (NAICS code), impacting whether a business meets the size standard. Additionally, certain industries are explicitly ineligible, such as those engaged in speculative activities, gambling, lending, or businesses deriving more than one-third of gross revenue from legal gambling.
A consulting firm might have a revenue-based size standard of $20 million, while an agricultural producer might have an employee-based standard of 500 employees. However, a business primarily engaged in pyramid sales would be ineligible regardless of size.
7(a) Loan Program — Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility
U.S. Small Business Administration · Official SBA source
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations
SBA Table of Size Standards
Last checked 2026-06-14. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-14. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
Terms in this answer
Pre-qualify your SBA 7(a) deal
Tell us the business, the price, and where you are — we'll point you to the lenders most likely to fund a deal like yours and flag anything that trips up approval.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day