Effective July 4, 2026, the SBA raised the cumulative cap a borrower can hold across its two flagship loan programs from $5 million to $10 million: up to $5 million through the 7(a) program plus up to $5 million through the 504 program. The agency called it the highest financing offering in its history, noting the limits had not been raised in over a decade. Borrowers must secure a 7(a) loan first to access the combined limit, and the change decouples 7(a) balances from the 504 program.
Why this matters for founders
If you are financing equipment, real estate, or an acquisition, you can now stack SBA-backed debt to twice the old ceiling, which matters most for capital-heavy or growth-stage small businesses that previously maxed out at $5M. Talk to an SBA-preferred lender about combining a 504 (long-term asset financing) with a 7(a) (working capital) rather than seeking pricier conventional debt. Structure the 7(a) first since it unlocks the combined limit.
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