Articles & Guides

Everything you need to know about SBA lending — from beginner guides to advanced deal structuring. Written by originators who close deals every day.

Pillar Guides

Pillar Guide

The Complete Guide to SBA 7(a) Loans in 2026

Everything you need to know about SBA 7(a) loans: eligibility, rates, terms, fees, and how to get approved in 2026.

Pillar Guide

How to Become an SBA Loan Broker in 2026

Step-by-step guide to launching your SBA loan brokerage, building lender relationships, and closing your first deals.

Pillar Guide

SBA Loan Originator Training: The Complete Resource

The complete SBA originator training resource covering sourcing, packaging, lender matching, and deal closing.

Pillar Guide

SBA Deal Structuring: From LOI to Closing

Master SBA deal structuring from letter of intent through closing, including equity injection, seller notes, and collateral.

Pillar Guide

SBA Lending in 2026: What's Changed and What's Coming

SBA lending trends, policy changes, and market outlook for 2026 that every originator and borrower needs to know.

All Articles

Showing 57 of 57 articles

Weekly Digest

SBA Lending This Week — March 24, 2026

SBA 7(a) approvals up 12% YoY, Express loan limit raised to $500K, and a $750K equipment deal closes in 38 days.

Shane24 March 2026

Weekly Digest

SBA Lending This Week — March 17, 2026

WSJ Prime holds at 7.50%, SBA updates Lender Match, and a $1.2M restaurant deal closes in 45 days.

Shane17 March 2026

Article

Are You Ready to Buy a Business? The Questions Nobody Asks

Before you search for a business to buy, ask yourself the hard questions that separate successful acquirers from costly mistakes.

Shane11 March 202610 min read

Article

The Business Buyer's Self-Assessment: 15 Questions Before You Start

A structured self-assessment covering financial readiness, lifestyle fit, and risk tolerance for aspiring business buyers.

Steph11 March 20269 min read

Article

How to Find Businesses for Sale: The Insider's Playbook

Where to find businesses for sale, how to evaluate listings, and why the best deals never hit the open market.

Shane11 March 202611 min read

Article

Business Brokers vs. Direct Search: Which Path Gets You the Right Deal?

Compare working with a business broker versus searching on your own, including fees, fiduciary duties, and when each approach makes sense.

Brian11 March 202610 min read

Article

The Business Buyer's Due Diligence Checklist: What to Verify Before You Sign

A comprehensive due diligence checklist covering legal, financial, operational, and customer verification for business acquisitions.

Brian11 March 202612 min read

Article

Financial Due Diligence: Reading the Numbers Behind the Business

How to analyze a business's financials during due diligence, including P&L analysis, cash flow patterns, and common red flags.

Steph11 March 202611 min read

Article

How to Value a Small Business: What Buyers and Lenders Actually Look At

Business valuation methods explained from both buyer and lender perspectives, including SDE, EBITDA multiples, and market comparisons.

Steph11 March 202612 min read

Article

Financing Your Business Acquisition with an SBA 7(a) Loan

How SBA 7(a) loans work for business acquisitions, what lenders require, and how to structure a deal that gets approved.

Shane11 March 202613 min read

Article

Equity Injection & Down Payment Strategies for Business Buyers

Acceptable equity injection sources for SBA loans, creative down payment strategies, and what lenders will and won't allow.

Steph11 March 202610 min read

Article

Writing a Letter of Intent (LOI): The Business Buyer's Guide

How to write a strong letter of intent for a business acquisition, including key terms, binding vs. non-binding provisions, and negotiation strategy.

Brian11 March 202610 min read

Article

Closing on a Business Purchase: What to Expect and How to Prepare

A step-by-step walkthrough of the business acquisition closing process, from final due diligence to funding day.

Brian11 March 202611 min read

Article

Your First 30 Days After Buying a Business: The Playbook

A week-by-week playbook for your first 30 days as a new business owner, covering stabilization, team management, and quick wins.

Shane11 March 202613 min read

Article

Managing Employees After a Business Acquisition: Day 1 Through Day 30

How to communicate with employees, retain key talent, and build trust during the critical first month of business ownership.

Steph11 March 202610 min read

Article

Setting Up Financial Systems After Buying a Business

How to transition banking, accounting, payroll, and compliance systems when you take over an existing business.

Brian11 March 20269 min read

Article

Growing Your Newly Acquired Business: From Stabilization to Scale

After the dust settles on your acquisition, here's how to transition from stabilization mode to sustainable growth.

Shane11 March 202611 min read

Article

When to Refinance or Expand After Buying a Business

How to know when the time is right to refinance your SBA loan, take on expansion capital, or acquire your next business.

Steph11 March 202610 min read

Pillar Guide

The Complete Guide to SBA 7(a) Loans in 2026

Everything you need to know about SBA 7(a) loans: eligibility, rates, terms, fees, and how to get approved in 2026.

Steph10 March 202624 min read

Pillar Guide

How to Become an SBA Loan Broker in 2026

Step-by-step guide to launching your SBA loan brokerage, building lender relationships, and closing your first deals.

Shane10 March 202615 min read

Pillar Guide

SBA Loan Originator Training: The Complete Resource

The complete SBA originator training resource covering sourcing, packaging, lender matching, and deal closing.

Brian10 March 202617 min read

Pillar Guide

SBA Deal Structuring: From LOI to Closing

Master SBA deal structuring from letter of intent through closing, including equity injection, seller notes, and collateral.

Brian10 March 202620 min read

Pillar Guide

SBA Lending in 2026: What's Changed and What's Coming

SBA lending trends, policy changes, and market outlook for 2026 that every originator and borrower needs to know.

Steph10 March 202615 min read

Article

How to Source SBA Loans: 12 Strategies That Work

Proven strategies for sourcing SBA loan deals, from referral partners and CPAs to digital marketing and trade shows.

Shane10 March 202613 min read

Article

SBA Loan Packaging: The Originator's Checklist

The complete SBA loan packaging checklist originators need to submit clean, lender-ready deal packages.

Brian10 March 202612 min read

Article

SBA Referral Fee Structures: How Brokers Get Paid

How SBA loan brokers earn referral fees, typical fee structures, and what lenders expect from originator relationships.

Shane10 March 202611 min read

Article

Building an SBA Lending Pipeline from Zero

How to build a consistent SBA lending pipeline from scratch using relationship-driven and digital strategies.

Shane10 March 202613 min read

Article

How to Match Borrowers with the Right SBA Lender

Learn how to match SBA borrowers with the right lender based on deal size, industry, geography, and risk appetite.

Steph10 March 202611 min read

Article

The SBA Originator's Tech Stack

The essential CRM, document management, and communication tools every SBA loan originator needs to scale.

Brian10 March 20266 min read

Article

SBA Convention Season: How to Network and Win Deals

How to maximize SBA industry conferences, build lender relationships, and turn convention contacts into closed deals.

Shane10 March 20265 min read

Article

SBA 7(a) vs. SBA 504: Which Loan Is Right for You?

Compare SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans side by side to find the right program for your business needs.

Steph10 March 20268 min read

Article

SBA Loan Application Checklist: Every Document You Need

The complete document checklist for SBA loan applications, from tax returns to business plans and financial statements.

Brian10 March 20266 min read

Article

How Long Does an SBA Loan Take? Real Timelines

Realistic SBA loan timelines from application to funding, with tips to speed up the approval process.

Shane10 March 20268 min read

Article

SBA Loan Down Payment: How Much Do You Really Need?

Understand SBA loan down payment requirements, equity injection rules, and strategies to reduce your cash at closing.

Steph10 March 20269 min read

Article

Can You Use an SBA Loan to Buy a Business?

How to use SBA 7(a) loans to buy an existing business, including acquisition requirements and deal structuring.

Shane10 March 202610 min read

Article

SBA Loan Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do Next

Common reasons SBA loans get denied, how to fix your application, and alternative paths to business funding.

Shane10 March 20269 min read

Article

Understanding SBA Loan Fees: What You'll Actually Pay

A complete breakdown of SBA loan fees including guarantee fees, packaging fees, and closing costs borrowers should expect.

Brian10 March 20269 min read

Article

SBA Loans for Veterans: Benefits and Programs

SBA loan programs, fee waivers, and resources available to veteran business owners and military entrepreneurs.

Steph10 March 20268 min read

Article

Why Most SBA Deals Fall Apart (And How to Save Them)

The top reasons SBA deals collapse before closing and practical strategies originators use to rescue them.

Shane10 March 202610 min read

Article

The Future of SBA Lending: AI, Fintech, and the Human Touch

How AI, fintech platforms, and automation are reshaping SBA lending while relationships remain the core of deals.

Brian10 March 20269 min read

Article

SBA Lending Myths That Cost Originators Deals

Debunking the most common SBA lending myths that cause originators to lose deals and damage lender relationships.

Shane10 March 202610 min read

Training

SBA Lending 101: The Foundation Every Originator Needs

The foundational SBA lending knowledge every new originator needs, from program basics to lender expectations.

Shane10 March 20268 min read

Training

SBA Eligibility Deep Dive: Who Really Qualifies?

A deep dive into SBA loan eligibility requirements, size standards, and the nuances that trip up most applicants.

Brian10 March 20269 min read

Training

SBA Fee Structures Explained: The Complete Breakdown for Originators

Complete breakdown of SBA guarantee fees, servicing fees, and originator compensation structures.

Brian10 March 20269 min read

Training

How to Read a Borrower's Financials Like a Pro

Learn to analyze borrower financial statements, spot red flags, and assess creditworthiness like an experienced underwriter.

Brian10 March 202611 min read

Training

The Art of SBA Deal Structuring: What Separates Good from Great

Advanced SBA deal structuring techniques that separate top originators from the rest of the pack.

Brian10 March 20267 min read

Training

The Complete SBA Documentation Checklist

Every document an SBA originator needs to collect, organize, and submit for a clean loan package.

Brian10 March 20267 min read

Training

How to Build a $10M SBA Pipeline in 12 Months

A month-by-month playbook for building a $10 million SBA lending pipeline from scratch in your first year.

Shane10 March 20267 min read

Training

Building an SBA Brokerage: From Solo to Scale

How to grow from a solo SBA originator to a scalable brokerage with systems, hiring, and lender diversification.

Shane10 March 20268 min read

Blog

What to Do If You Can’t Pay Your Business Loan

Struggling with loan payments? Learn how to restructure, refinance, or negotiate your way out of a tough spot.

9 July 2025

Blog

How to Buy a Business with an SBA Loan

Learn how to finance a business purchase with an SBA loan and what lenders really look for.

9 July 2025

Blog

Business Loans with Bad Credit: What You Need to Know

Bad credit doesn’t mean no funding—but it does mean tougher terms. Here’s how to navigate it.

8 July 2025

Blog

5 Myths About SBA Loans Every Founder Should Know

Think SBA loans are fast, easy, or backed by the government? Think again.

8 July 2025

Blog

Why Startups Get Denied Loans—and What to Do Instead

Most startups can’t get loans because banks fund traction, not ideas. Here’s what to do.

8 July 2025

Blog

What Is My Business Worth? A Simple Valuation Guide

Learn how to calculate your business’s value using real-world methods that buyers and lenders trust.

30 June 2025

Blog

Attention Trumps Time in SBA Lending

Efficient lenders lose deals when they focus on time over attention. Here’s the shift that wins.

30 June 2025

Blog

How to Get 100% SBA Financing for Business Expansion

Learn how to qualify for 100% SBA 7(a) financing to grow your existing business.

11 June 2025

State & Industry Guides

SBA lending guides for all 50 states and 15 industries

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SBA Lending Tools

Free calculators for loan payments, DSCR, and eligibility

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