# SBA Express loan > A streamlined SBA 7(a) variant capped at $500,000 with 36-hour SBA decision turnaround, 50% SBA guarantee (vs 75–85% standard), and lender-determined credit/collateral standards, typically used for revolving lines of credit and working capital. The SBA Express loan is a variant of the 7(a) program designed for speed. The SBA delegates underwriting to participating Express lenders and guarantees only 50% of the loan (vs 75–85% for standard 7(a)). In exchange, the SBA commits to a 36-hour decision turnaround on the SBA-side approval — and many Express lenders fund within 5–10 business days end-to-end. **The program limits (2026).** Maximum loan size: $500,000 (raised from $350,000 in 2021 under temporary COVID-era authority, made permanent). Maximum SBA guarantee: 50% of loan amount, so $250,000 maximum guarantee. Maximum term: 10 years for non-revolving loans; revolving lines of credit can be structured with up to 10-year total commitment (with a 7-year term-out after the 5-year revolving period). **Pricing.** Same SBA-capped interest rate structure as 7(a): - Up to $50,000: Prime + 6.5% maximum - $50,001 to $250,000: Prime + 6.0% - $250,001 to $500,000: Prime + 4.5% (Express max) With Prime at 7.5% in 2026, Express loans typically price 12–14% APR — still dramatically below MCA economics. **Guarantee fee.** Same structure as 7(a): - Up to $1M: 0% (waived under SBA Modernization) - Over $1M: not applicable (Express caps at $500K) So Express loans under $500K currently carry zero SBA guarantee fee — a meaningful cost advantage over standard 7(a). **The speed tradeoff.** Express's main appeal is turnaround. Standard 7(a) timelines run 45–90 days; Express lenders fund in 5–15 days. This makes Express the natural alternative to MCAs for time-pressed merchants who can qualify for bank credit but need cash faster than standard 7(a). The tradeoff is the 50% guarantee, which makes lenders more conservative on credit standards — Express approval typically requires 680+ FICO, 2+ years operating, positive cash flow, and minimal MCA stack. **Eligible uses.** Working capital, inventory, equipment, leasehold improvements, business acquisition under $500K, debt refinance (with same restrictions as 7(a)), and revolving lines of credit (Express is the only SBA program that supports revolving structures). **The revolving line option.** SBA Express Revolving Line of Credit (often marketed as "SBA Express Line") is a major use case. Structure: 5-year revolving period during which the borrower can draw, repay, and redraw up to the credit limit; then a 5-year term-out where the outstanding balance amortizes. Used for seasonal working capital, AR/inventory cycles, and bridge funding. This is the closest SBA equivalent to a business line of credit and a frequent target for merchants escaping MCA cycles. **State context.** Express volume is strongest in states with active Preferred Lender Program (PLP) banks: Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, North Carolina. Wells Fargo, Live Oak Bank, Huntington, Newtek, and Readycap are among the largest 2026 Express lenders. Live Oak Bank (NC) has the highest per-loan Express volume nationally for several years running. **Express Veterans Advantage.** Veterans, active-duty service members, and certain spouses receive 0% guarantee fee on Express loans (already 0% under SBA Modernization but historically the veterans-specific waiver provided the benefit). The Veterans Advantage program was permanently authorized in 2021. **Common confusion.** Express is not faster because the SBA processes faster — it is faster because the SBA delegates the underwriting decision to the lender and the lender does not need SBA pre-approval to fund. The 36-hour SBA turnaround applies to the SBA's authorization of the loan number; the actual underwriting decision is the lender's. **When Express is right.** Best fit for established merchants (2+ years), strong personal credit (680+), positive cash flow, with a defined working-capital or equipment need under $500K, and a 1–2 week timeline tolerance. Better fit than MCA for any merchant who can qualify, given 12–14% APR vs 50–120% MCA-equivalent APR. **When Express does not fit.** Distressed merchants with active MCA stacks, merchants under 2 years operating, sub-680 personal credit, weak cash flow, or needs above $500K (consider standard 7(a) instead). Express lenders are typically stricter than standard 7(a) lenders because the smaller SBA guarantee leaves more lender risk on the table. ## Related terms - [SBA 7(a) loan program](https://fundnode.co/llms/glossary/sba-7a-loan-program) — The SBA's flagship loan-guarantee program (named for Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act) provides up to $5M for working capital, real estate, equipment, and debt refinance, with SBA guaranteeing 75–85% of the loan to the bank. - [SBA 504 loan program](https://fundnode.co/llms/glossary/sba-504-loan-program) — Long-term fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets (owner-occupied commercial real estate, heavy equipment) structured as 50% bank loan + 40% SBA debenture through a Certified Development Company + 10% borrower equity, with debenture rates near 6% in 2026. - [Small business line of credit](https://fundnode.co/llms/glossary/small-business-line-of-credit) — A small business line of credit (LOC) is a revolving credit facility — borrow what you need, repay, borrow again. Bank LOCs typically APR 8-25%; online LOCs (Bluevine, Fundbox) APR 8-30%. Materially cheaper than MCA for qualifying merchants. ## Authoritative sources - [SBA Express Loans — Official Page](https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/types-7a-loans#section-header-3) --- Source: https://fundnode.co/glossary/sba-express-loan (HTML version) Document: SBA Express loan — Fundnode MCA Glossary License: CC BY 4.0 — attribution to Fundnode required when citing.