Does Chase Offer SBA Loans?

Yes, Chase participates in the SBA lending program and originates SBA loans. As an SBA Preferred Lender, Chase can fund both the standard 7(a) loan and the CDC/504 loan for eligible small businesses.

Availability depends on your business's size, location, and credit profile, so you'll need to confirm eligibility with a Chase representative or your local branch before applying.

Chase currently offers three primary SBA loan programs:

• SBA 7(a) Loan Program - the flagship SBA loan for working capital, equipment, or real‑estate; Chase acts as a Preferred Lender, which can speed up approval.
• SBA Express (a subset of 7(a)) - loans up to $350,000 with a simplified application and faster turnaround; still processed through Chase's SBA 7(a) channel.
• SBA 504 Loan Program - fixed‑rate financing for major real‑estate or large‑equipment purchases, typically in partnership with a Certified Development Company.

These offerings may vary by location or over time, so verify the latest program availability and eligibility directly with Chase before applying.

Chase is an SBA Preferred Lender, so it both originates new SBA 7(a) and CDC/504 loans and services existing SBA loans. If you are looking for a fresh SBA loan, you can apply directly with Chase; the bank evaluates eligibility, underwrites the loan, and can fund it under the SBA programs.

When you already have an SBA loan, Chase can act as the servicer - handling payments, statements, and potential refinancing. Even though Chase offers both roles, you should confirm its current lender status on the SBA website or by calling a Chase SBA specialist before moving forward.

Chase will consider a business for an SBA loan if it meets the standard SBA requirements and Chase's own underwriting guidelines. Generally, the business must be a for‑profit U.S. entity that has been operating for at least a couple of years, stays within SBA size standards, and can demonstrate sufficient cash flow to repay the loan. Both the business and its principal owners should have acceptable credit histories, and the loan purpose must align with SBA‑allowed uses such as equipment, working capital, or real‑estate acquisition.

• Business age: typically 2 + years of operation (newer businesses may face additional scrutiny).
• Legal structure: corporation, LLC, partnership, or sole proprietorship that is U.S.‑based.
• Size standards: must meet SBA size criteria for the industry (usually under $7.5 million in average annual revenue for most sectors).
• Revenue & cash flow: enough consistent revenue to cover debt service; Chase often reviews 12‑month profit‑and‑loss statements.
• Credit requirements: principal(s) usually need a personal credit score in the mid‑600s or higher; business credit score also factored.
• Owner equity: borrowers generally need to contribute some equity (often 10‑20 % of the project cost).
• Use of proceeds: must fall under SBA‑eligible purposes (e.g., equipment, inventory, working capital, real estate, refinancing existing debt).
• Legal and compliance checks: no recent bankruptcies, defaults, or major regulatory violations.

Before applying, confirm the specific thresholds with a Chase SBA loan officer, as requirements can vary by loan program, industry, and state regulations.

• Completed SBA loan application (Chase's loan request form or SBA Form 1919).
• Personal and business tax returns for the most recent two years.
• Personal financial statement (SBA Form 413) detailing assets, liabilities, and net worth.
• Recent business financial statements: profit‑and‑loss, balance sheet, and cash‑flow reports.
• Ownership and organization documents (e.g., Articles of Incorporation, operating agreement, partnership agreement, or DBA certificate).

To start an SBA loan with Chase, contact a Chase Small Business Banking Specialist and submit a completed SBA loan application.

1. Verify eligibility - Review Chase's SBA eligibility requirements (business size, purpose, credit profile) to ensure you qualify.
2. Gather required paperwork - Have the standard documents ready (tax returns, financial statements, personal financial info, business plan, SBA forms). See the '5 documents Chase will always ask for' section for details.
3. Select the SBA program - Decide whether the 7(a) or CDC/504 program best matches your financing need; Chase offers both.
4. Initiate the application - Schedule a meeting at a local branch, call Chase's SBA loan line, or begin the process through Chase's online business portal if available.
5. Complete SBA forms - Fill out SBA Form 1919 (Borrower Information) and Form 1920 (Loan Application) and any Chase‑specific forms, ensuring all signatures are present.
6. Submit the package - Provide the completed forms and supporting documents to your specialist. Chase will run credit checks, verify collateral, and forward the package to the SBA for approval.
7. Respond to follow‑up requests - The SBA or Chase may ask for additional information; reply promptly to avoid delays.
8. Review and sign the loan agreement - Once approved, carefully examine the loan terms, fees, and repayment schedule before signing.

Always read the final agreement and ask the specialist to clarify any fees or conditions before committing.

Chase typically needs a few weeks to move an SBA loan from application to approval, but the exact period can vary. The timeline starts once you submit all required documents and ends when Chase finalizes its underwriting and receives SBA's guarantee decision.

Factors that lengthen or shorten the process include the size of the loan, the specific SBA program (e.g., 7(a) vs. CDC/504), and how quickly you provide complete, accurate paperwork. To keep things moving, double‑check that you've included the five standard documents (business tax returns, personal tax returns, a personal financial statement, a business plan, and a USP‑compatible cash‑flow projection) and respond promptly to any follow‑up requests from Chase or the SBA. If you notice delays beyond the usual few‑week window, contact your Chase loan officer for a status update.

Chase's SBA loans usually carry rates linked to the SBA's base rate (the Prime rate plus a spread), and the exact percentage can differ by borrower profile, loan size, and SBA program.

What to expect from a Chase SBA loan

• Interest rates - Generally expressed as Prime + 1% to + 3% for 7‑year working‑capital loans, and Prime + 2% to + 5% for 10‑ to 25‑year real‑estate loans; the final rate depends on credit score, cash flow, and collateral.
• Guarantee fee - The SBA charges a fee on the guaranteed portion of the loan (often 0.25% to 0.75% of the principal); Chase may add a modest packaging or processing fee on top.
• Closing costs - Expect modest administrative costs such as document preparation, appraisal, and legal fees; these are disclosed in the loan estimate and can sometimes be rolled into the loan amount.
• Pre‑payment - SBA loans typically have no pre‑payment penalty, so early payoff usually saves interest.
• Term length - Working‑capital lines often run for 7 years; equipment financing may be 10 years; commercial‑real‑estate loans commonly range from 10 to 25 years, depending on the project and amortization schedule.

Review the current SBA rate sheet, ask the Chase loan officer for a written estimate, and read the fee schedule before signing. Verify any quoted rate or fee against the official SBA guidelines and your personal loan agreement.

Chase denies SBA loans when an application falls short of its underwriting criteria, which are stricter than those for many non‑SBA products.

Common denial triggers include a credit score below Chase's typical threshold, insufficient cash flow to cover projected debt service, lack of adequate collateral, a short operating history (often less than two years), an industry that Chase classifies as high‑risk, or incomplete SBA‑required documentation. High existing debt levels and a low debt‑service‑coverage ratio can also lead to a rejection.

Before re‑applying, review your credit report, improve cash flow where possible, and gather the full set of SBA paperwork (personal and business tax returns, 2‑year financial statements, etc.). Speaking directly with a Chase SBA loan officer can clarify which specific criteria you didn't meet, and exploring other SBA lenders may be worthwhile if the gaps are hard to close.

Boost your chances by ensuring you meet Chase's baseline criteria, then strengthen the factors that most influence SBA loan decisions.

Key actions that typically help:

• Maintain a strong personal and business credit profile - scores in the high‑600s or above are common among approved applicants.
• Demonstrate consistent cash flow - monthly revenue that comfortably covers projected loan payments, as shown in bank statements and profit‑and‑loss reports.
• Keep debt‑to‑income ratios low - a lower ratio signals repayment ability.
• Leverage your existing relationship with Chase - a history of positive balances or previous credit products can sway underwriting.
• Submit a complete, well‑organized package - include the five documents Chase always requests (tax returns, personal financial statement, business plan, financial statements, and legal documents) plus any supplemental material that addresses potential red flags.
• Start with a modest loan amount - smaller requests are often approved more quickly and can pave the way for larger future financing.

After you've addressed these points, review Chase's specific eligibility guidelines and the common denial reasons outlined earlier. Confirm that your figures align with the bank's expectations before submitting the application; small mismatches can trigger delays or rejection.

If Chase declines your SBA loan application, you'll need to look beyond Chase for other SBA‑eligible lenders. The most reliable way to discover five alternative lenders - and to compare their terms, eligibility requirements, and application processes - is to work with a dedicated SBA financing advisor such as the team at thecreditpeople.com. They can assess your business profile, match you with lenders who are actively participating in the SBA 7(a) and 504 programs, and guide you through the next steps.

Before contacting an advisor, gather the standard SBA documentation (tax returns, personal financial statements, business plan, etc.) that Chase would have requested. Having these ready speeds up the referral process and improves your chances of a quick approval with a new lender.

Finally, verify any lender's SBA participation status directly with the Small Business Administration or by reviewing the lender's public disclosures. This ensures the loan you pursue remains SBA‑backed and retains the associated benefits.