SBA Loans: What Do 7(a) and 504 Finance?
SBA 7(a) supports eligible business uses, including acquisitions and real estate; SBA 504 focuses on qualifying fixed assets. Up to 90% financing is available only for qualifying SBA transactions, with owner-occupied CRE eligibility requirements.
Key loan facts
- Loan Amount
- SBA 7(a): up to $5 million per loan. SBA 504: SBA/CDC portion up to $5 million, or $5.5 million for qualifying manufacturing and energy projects. Total project financing can be larger.
- Eligible properties
- Qualifying owner-occupied commercial real estate, Eligible business acquisitions under SBA 7(a), Eligible equipment and working capital under SBA 7(a), Eligible long-life equipment under SBA 504
- Minimum FICO
- Owner-occupied commercial real estate eligibility requirements apply. RPC's public minimum FICO is 680; this is RPC's guideline, not a universal SBA credit-score rule. Business repayment capacity and SBA eligibility are reviewed individually; no common SBA DSCR floor is published here.
Which SBA program matches what you need to finance?
Start with the use of proceeds and the operating business, rather than the property alone. A business acquisition that also needs equipment or working capital may call for 7(a). A qualifying owner-occupied building or long-life equipment project may call for 504. Passive rental investment belongs in a separate financing discussion.
Where it fits
SBA 7(a): up to $5 million per loan. SBA 504: SBA/CDC portion up to $5 million, or $5.5 million for qualifying manufacturing and energy projects. Total project financing can be larger. Eligible combined 7(a) and 504 financing can reach $10 million under the applicable SBA coordination rules for loans numbered on or after July 4, 2026. This does not raise either individual program's limit. RPC handles SBA terms individually. Submit an application for review; this page does not offer an automated rate-sheet quote.
Illustrative example
Illustrative structure for a qualifying 504 project: Typically 50% bank first lien, 40% SBA/CDC second lien and 10% borrower equity on a qualifying project. The bank first lien and SBA/CDC portion are separate pieces; the SBA/CDC ceiling is not a ceiling on the entire project. Additional equity may be required depending on the transaction.
Initial fit check
Owner-occupied commercial real estate eligibility requirements apply. RPC's public minimum FICO is 680; this is RPC's guideline, not a universal SBA credit-score rule. Business repayment capacity and SBA eligibility are reviewed individually; no common SBA DSCR floor is published here.
Apply with your property and financing request, or submit a deal as a broker through Partners.
Eligible Asset Types
- Qualifying owner-occupied commercial real estate
- Eligible business acquisitions under SBA 7(a)
- Eligible equipment and working capital under SBA 7(a)
- Eligible long-life equipment under SBA 504
Which program facts apply to this request?
As of 2026-10-08| Fact | Public guideline |
|---|---|
| Loan amount | SBA 7(a): up to $5 million per loan. SBA 504: SBA/CDC portion up to $5 million, or $5.5 million for qualifying manufacturing and energy projects. Total project financing can be larger. |
| Program condition | Up to 90% financing for qualifying SBA transactions |
| Program condition | Owner-occupied commercial real estate eligibility requirements apply |
| Program condition | SBA 7(a): up to $5 million per loan |
| Program condition | SBA 504: SBA/CDC portion up to $5 million ($5.5 million for qualifying manufacturing and energy projects); total project financing can be larger |
| Program condition | Closing in as little as 45 days for qualified transactions |
| Program condition | Owner-occupied commercial real estate eligibility requirements apply. RPC's public minimum FICO is 680; this is RPC's guideline, not a universal SBA credit-score rule. Business repayment capacity and SBA eligibility are reviewed individually; no common SBA DSCR floor is published here. |
| Program condition | RPC handles SBA terms individually. Submit an application for review; this page does not offer an automated rate-sheet quote. |
| Program condition | Property and business eligibility are confirmed for each SBA transaction |
- • These are public guidelines, not a loan commitment. Final terms depend on underwriting.
Source: Riverside Park Capital (2026-10-08), https://riversidepark.capital/sba-loans. Data may be cited or embedded with attribution.
Methodology
- Public lending guidelines reviewed 2026-10-08. Program limits are ceilings, not a commitment to lend. Examples labelled illustrative are calculations, not closed transactions.
Underwriting Guidelines
- Up to 90% financing for qualifying SBA transactions
- Owner-occupied commercial real estate eligibility requirements apply
- SBA 7(a): up to $5 million per loan
- SBA 504: SBA/CDC portion up to $5 million ($5.5 million for qualifying manufacturing and energy projects); total project financing can be larger
- Closing in as little as 45 days for qualified transactions
- Owner-occupied commercial real estate eligibility requirements apply. RPC's public minimum FICO is 680; this is RPC's guideline, not a universal SBA credit-score rule. Business repayment capacity and SBA eligibility are reviewed individually; no common SBA DSCR floor is published here.
- RPC handles SBA terms individually. Submit an application for review; this page does not offer an automated rate-sheet quote.
- Property and business eligibility are confirmed for each SBA transaction
Who This Is For
- Eligible operating businesses purchasing their premises
- Business buyers considering 7(a) for an eligible acquisition
- Operators financing qualifying long-life equipment
Who This Is Not For
- Passive rental investment under these owner-occupied SBA programs
- Unrestricted equity withdrawals
- A request to apply conventional commercial leverage or DSCR rules to SBA
Frequently Asked Questions
Request Financing
Tell us about the property. We send preliminary terms, which are an estimate and not an approval.
Request Financing View Program GuidelinesSubject to underwriting, collateral review, borrower qualification, and lender approval. Not a commitment to lend.
Ready to start a loan request?
Commercial real estate and investor property loans. SBA 7(a): up to $5 million per loan. SBA 504: SBA/CDC portion up to $5 million, or $5.5 million for qualifying manufacturing and energy projects. Total project financing can be larger.
Subject to underwriting, collateral review, borrower qualification, and lender approval. Not a commitment to lend.