Glossary · The loan itself
Maximum loan limit
In short
This is the highest dollar amount the SBA will guarantee for a single 7(a) loan to any one borrower. For 7(a), it's currently $5 million.
What it means in a deal
Your 7(a) loan cannot exceed the SBA's maximum loan limit of $5 million. This limit applies to the total principal amount of the loan, not just the guaranteed portion. If your total project costs exceed what a $5 million loan can cover, you'll need more equity or a seller note to bridge the gap.
Official sources
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Related terms
Common questions about Maximum loan limit
- Is there a maximum dollar limit for an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Is there a maximum age limit for a business to be eligible for an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Is there an age limit for business owners to get an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Is there an income limit for my business to be "small" by SBA rules?
- Is there a limit to how much money a business can get from an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Is there a limit on the amount of business goodwill that an SBA 7(a) loan can finance?
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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