Pilot loan programs

The CA pilot program will sunset on September 30, 2023. CA pilot lenders interested in transitioning to a Community Advantage Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) should contact SBA at caloans@sba.gov.

Community Advantage

The 7(a) Community Advantage (CA) loan program assists small businesses in underserved markets.

Loan details

Community-based, mission-focused lenders meet the credit, management, and technical assistance needs of small businesses in underserved markets.

Maximum loan size $350,000
Maximum SBA guarantee % 85% for loans up to $150,000, 75% for loans greater than $150,000, and 90% for International Trade loans
Maximum interest rate Negotiated by the lender and borrower subject o SBA maximums
Program expiration date  September 30, 2023

Who can be a CA lender?

The following types of organizations are eligible to become CA lenders:

  • Certified Development Companies (CDCs)
  • Microloan program intermediaries
  • Intermediary Lending Pilot (ILP) program Intermediaries
  • Non-federally regulated Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) certified by the U.S. Treasury Department

Lender portfolio requirements

Lenders in the CA program must maintain at least 60 percent of their SBA loan portfolio in underserved markets, defined as follows:

  • Businesses located in:
    • Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) communities;
    • Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (EZ/EC);
    • Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones);
    • Promise Zones;
    • Opportunity Zones;
    • or Rural Areas;
  • New businesses (those in operation for less than two years);
  • Businesses that are 51 percent or more owned and controlled by one or more Veterans; and
  • Businesses where more than 50% of the full-time workforce is low-income or resides in LMI census tracts.

For instructions on setting up CAFS accounts, SBA Form 1502 reporting, submitting SBA Form 159, and  using APIs, please see the Fiscal Transfer Agent Resources (FTA wiki)

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SBA lenders finance small businesses

Lenders that work with SBA provide financial assistance to small businesses through government-backed loans.
Last updated August 16, 2023