Working capital, equipment, a line of credit, or a business acquisition — placed with the right SBA Express lender from our network of 40+, on one application.
Prefer to talk? Call 818-217-1217. Free 30-minute consultation. No credit pull to get a quote.
What an SBA Express loan is
SBA Express is the fast-track version of the SBA 7(a) program. The lender makes the credit decision using its own paperwork, and the SBA responds within 36 hours instead of the weeks a standard 7(a) can take. In exchange, the SBA guarantees 50% of the loan (versus 75–85% on a standard 7(a)), so Express lenders are more selective — which is exactly why it matters which lender your file goes to.
| Maximum amount | $500,000 |
| Structure | Term loan or revolving line of credit |
| Lender decision | Typically within 48 hours; SBA responds within 36 hours after the lender submits |
| Time to funding | Usually 3–6 weeks; as fast as 2–3 weeks with some lenders |
| SBA guaranty | 50% |
| Rate | Variable, Prime + lender spread. SBA caps the spread; most Express lenders we work with price well under the cap. |
| Terms | Lines of credit up to 10 years; term loans up to 10 years for working capital and equipment (up to 25 years if real estate is included) |
| Collateral | Not required by SBA on loans of $50,000 or less. Above that, the lender’s standard policy applies — a loan can’t be declined for collateral alone. |
| Down payment | None required for working capital or equipment; typically 10% on a business acquisition |
All loan amounts, rates, terms, and timelines shown are typical program parameters and are subject to lender underwriting, credit approval, property and income verification, and other conditions. Not every applicant will qualify. Oakridge Capital Advisors is a licensed commercial mortgage broker (CA DRE #02036334) and is not the lender.
What you can use it for
- Working capital and cash-flow gaps
- Inventory, equipment, fixtures, and vehicles
- Tenant improvements and renovations
- Buying a business or buying out a partner (new ownership only)
- Refinancing existing business debt on better terms
- A revolving line of credit for seasonal or project-based businesses
Not eligible: investment real estate, passive-income businesses, speculative ventures, and businesses with delinquent federal taxes outside an IRS payment plan.
Who typically qualifies
Every lender is a little different, but the files that get approved usually look like this:
- For-profit U.S. business, owner-operated, meeting SBA size standards
- 2+ years in business (a few lenders will look at 12 months with strong financials)
- Personal credit around 650 or better for the owners; 680+ opens more lenders
- Cash flow that covers the new payment with room to spare (roughly 1.15–1.25× debt service)
- No unresolved federal tax liens or defaulted government loans
- Owners with 20%+ ownership provide a personal guarantee (an SBA requirement)
Not sure you fit? That’s the point of the call. We’ve placed loans for businesses that were declined by their bank because we know which of our lenders looks at the whole picture instead of one ratio.
Why use a broker for an SBA Express loan
Your bank has one SBA program and one credit box. If your file doesn’t fit, the answer is no and you start over somewhere else — weeks later.
We work with 40+ SBA and commercial lenders. You fill out one application, we package it the way underwriters want to see it, and we match it to the two or three lenders most likely to approve it at the best terms. There is no fee to get a quote or a pre-qualification.
Since 2004, Oakridge Capital Advisors has placed over $500 million in SBA and commercial loans for business owners in Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and across California.
SBA Express vs. standard 7(a) vs. 504
| Express | Standard 7(a) | 504 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max amount | $500K | $5M | $5M–$5.5M SBA portion |
| Speed | Fastest (48-hr lender decision) | 30–90 days | 60–90 days |
| Best for | Working capital, equipment, lines of credit, small acquisitions | Larger acquisitions, real estate, big refinances | Buying or building your own commercial property |
| SBA guaranty | 50% | 75–85% | SBA debenture |
If your need is over $500,000 or involves buying a building, we’ll usually steer you to a 7(a) or 504 instead — same application, same call.
How it works with Oakridge
- 60-second quote. Name, phone, what you need, how much. We call you back the same business day.
- 20-minute discovery call. We confirm eligibility, the right structure (term vs. line), and which lenders fit.
- One package. We collect the standard SBA items — 2–3 years of business and personal tax returns, interim P&L and balance sheet, debt schedule, personal financial statement — and build the file.
- Lender decision. Typically within 48 hours for Express lenders; the SBA responds within 36 hours after that.
- Closing and funding. Usually 3–6 weeks start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can I get an SBA Express loan?
Express lenders typically give a credit decision within 48 hours, and the SBA responds within 36 hours after the lender submits. From complete application to money in the account is usually 3–6 weeks, depending on the lender and how quickly documents come in.
What is the maximum SBA Express loan amount?
$500,000. If you need more, a standard 7(a) goes to $5 million and we can run both in parallel.
Can I get an SBA Express line of credit?
Yes. Express is the main SBA program that offers a revolving line of credit, with terms up to 10 years. Fewer lenders offer the line than the term loan, so tell us up front if a line is what you need.
What are SBA Express interest rates?
Rates are variable and based on the Prime rate plus a lender spread. The SBA caps the spread; the lender sets the actual rate based on loan size and your credit profile. We quote a specific rate once we’ve matched your file to a lender.
Do I need collateral?
Not on loans of $50,000 or less. Above that, lenders follow their normal collateral policy, but the SBA doesn’t allow a loan to be declined solely because collateral is short.
Can a startup get an SBA Express loan?
Rarely. Most Express lenders want at least two years of operating history. Startups with strong owner credit, industry experience, and a real equity injection are usually better served by a standard 7(a). Call and we’ll tell you honestly which is realistic.
Does it cost anything to apply?
There is no fee to get a quote or a pre-qualification from Oakridge. The SBA charges a guaranty fee on the loan, set each fiscal year and often financed into the loan (it’s waived for eligible veteran-owned businesses). You’ll see every cost in writing before you commit.
Do you work with businesses outside Glendale?
Yes. We’re based in Glendale and most of our clients are in Los Angeles County, but our lenders are national and we place loans across California and beyond.
All loan amounts, rates, terms, and timelines shown are typical program parameters and are subject to lender underwriting, credit approval, property and income verification, and other conditions. Not every applicant will qualify. Oakridge Capital Advisors is a licensed commercial mortgage broker (CA DRE #02036334) and is not the lender.