SBA loan basics
Short answer
The maximum loan amount for a standard SBA 7(a) loan is $5 million.
The SBA sets a maximum loan amount for the 7(a) program. While the SBA guarantees a portion of the loan, the total loan amount issued by the lender cannot exceed $5 million. This limit applies to the combined outstanding balances of all SBA 7(a) loans a borrower and its affiliates may have.
A business owner needs $4.5 million to purchase a large commercial property and an additional $500,000 for working capital. This total of $5 million is permissible under the 7(a) program.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
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
SBA 7(a) Loans Overview
Last checked 2026-06-13. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-13. 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.
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