SBA's Express and pilot programs offer streamlined and expedited loan procedures for particular groups of borrowers, notably active duty military personnel, veterans, and borrowers from distressed communities.

SBAExpress

The SBAExpress program gives small business borrowers an accelerated turnaround time for SBA's review. You will receive a response to your application within 36 hours. In addition, lower interest rates are often available to you when you apply through an Express program.

Patriot Express

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the SBA’s Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative for veterans and members of the military community wanting to establish or expand small businesses. The SBA and its resource partners are focusing additional efforts on counseling and training to augment this loan initiative, making it more accessible and easy to use.

Eligible military community members include:

• Veterans

• Service-disabled veterans

• Active-duty service members eligible for the military’s Transition Assistance Program

• Reservists and National Guard members

• Current spouses of any of the above

• The widowed spouse of a service member or veteran who died during service or of a service-connected disability

Patriot Express loan proceeds can be used for most business purposes, including:

• Start up costs

• Equipment purchases

• Business-occupied real-estate purchases

• Inventory

• Infusing working capital

• Managing your business

• Expansion

• Preparing your business for the possibility of your deployment

• Setting up to sell goods and services to the government

• Recovery from declared disasters.

Patriot Express loans feature the SBA’s lowest interest rates for business loans, generally 2.25 percent to 4.75 percent over prime depending upon the size and maturity of the loan.  Your local SBA district office will have a listing of Patriot Express lenders in your area.