With the Federal Reserve holding rates steady at its March 2026 meeting, SBA loan rates remain stable entering Q2 2026. Here is a current rate summary across all major SBA programs.
The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate is 6.75% as of March 2026. SBA 7(a) variable rate maximums by loan size:
Strong borrowers with established businesses, 680+ personal credit, and solid DSCR often qualify for rates 0.5%–1.0% below the maximum on larger loans. These are ceilings, not floors.
SBA 504 CDC debenture rates are set monthly and based on U.S. Treasury bond rates. Current effective rates for the 504's 20-year debenture term are approximately 6.3%–7.0%. The bank's 50% first mortgage carries its own rate, typically variable and separately negotiated. Ask your 504 lender for a current blended effective rate calculation that includes both components.
SBA Express loan rates follow the same structure as standard 7(a) loans but with a 50% guarantee (versus 75–85% for standard 7(a)). Maximum rates are the same as standard 7(a) based on loan size. Express loans are capped at $500,000.
Manufacturing businesses (NAICS 31–33) currently benefit from a fee waiver through September 30, 2026: zero upfront fees on 7(a) loans up to $950K and zero fees on all 504 manufacturing loans. If you're in manufacturing, ask your lender about this before committing to a loan structure.
Most market forecasts suggest the Fed will hold rates steady through mid-2026, with possible adjustments in late 2026 depending on inflation data. For borrowers uncertain about rate direction, the SBA 504's fixed-rate structure on the CDC portion provides long-term payment certainty regardless of future Fed moves.
60 seconds. Eight questions. We identify which SBA and USDA programs fit your situation and connect you with a specialist lender.
Take the Free Eligibility QuizSBALoansToday.co is an independent information and lead generation service. Not affiliated with the SBA or USDA. Not a lender or financial advisor. Information reflects publicly available sources as of March 2026.