In today's global economy, selling your goods around the world can bring large rewards. With three specialized loan guaranty programs, the SBA can help provide export financing, credit to close a sale, and funds for working capital.

Export Express (7(a) Loan Programs)

SBA Export Express helps small businesses develop or expand their export markets. The program provides exporters and lenders a streamlined method to obtain SBA-backed financing for loans and lines of credit up to $500,000. Most banks in the U.S. do not lend against export orders, export receivables or letters of credit. SBA temporarily provides lenders with up to a 90 percent guaranty on export loans as a credit enhancement to encourage participating banks to make loans that make the necessary export financing available. Lenders use their own credit decision process and loan documentation. SBA provides an expedited eligibility review and provides a response in less than 24 hours, so exporters get access to funds faster.

Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) (7(a) Loan Programs)

SBA’s Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) loans are targeted to small businesses that are able to generate export sales and need additional working capital to support these sales. Since most banks in the U.S. do not lend against export orders, export receivables or letters of credit, SBA provides lenders guaranties of up to 90 percent on export loans to ensure that qualified exporters do not lose viable export sales due to a lack of working capital.

International Trade Loan Program (7(a) Loan Programs)

The International Trade Loan Program offers term loans to businesses that plan to start or continue exporting or that have been adversely affected by competition from imports. The proceeds of the loan must enable the borrower to be in a better position to compete. The program offers borrowers a maximum SBA-guaranteed portion of $1.75 million.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

On March 16, 2009, the SBA implemented provisions of the American Recovery Act of 2009. As a result, these loan products will now have a waiver of the up-front SBA guaranty fee on loans with maturities in excess of 12 months.