Glossary · The loan itself
Loan estimate
In short
A document from the lender outlining the estimated costs, interest rate, and terms of your SBA 7(a) loan. It helps you understand the total expense of financing.
What it means in a deal
This is one of the first documents you'll receive after a lender pre-approves your loan. It details not only the interest rate and repayment schedule but also all associated fees, including lender fees, SBA guaranty fee, and third-party costs like appraisals and legal fees. Use it to compare offers from different lenders.
Related terms
Common questions about Loan estimate
- Does an SBA loan have better terms than a regular bank loan?
- What is the minimum loan amount for an SBA 7(a) loan?
- What is the maximum loan amount for an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Is there a typical average loan size for an SBA 7(a) loan?
- How is the maximum loan amount for an SBA 7(a) loan determined?
- Is there a minimum loan amount for an SBA 7(a) loan program?
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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