CDC/504 Loan Program Eligibility

 

To be considered for Certified Development Company(CDC)/504 loan, applicants must meet these eligibility requirements: 

• Operate as a for-profit company 
• Do business (or propose to) in the United States or its possessions 
• Has a tangible net worth less than $15 million and an average net income less than $5.0 million after taxes for the preceding two years.
• Loans cannot be made to businesses engaged in speculation or investment in rental real estate.
• Be an eligible type of business. While the vast majority of businesses are eligible for financial assistance from the SBA, some are not. Check this list of eligible and ineligible types of businesses to see if your company qualifies.
• Under the 504 Program, Plan to use proceeds for an approved purpose. CDC/504  loan proceeds may be used for the financing of fixed assets like real estate or equipment. This list explains Eligible and Ineligible Use of Proceeds.
• Not have funds available from other sources. SBA does not extend financial assistance to businesses when the financial strength of the individual owners or the company itself is sufficient to provide all or part of the financing. Both business and personal financial resources are reviewed as part of the eligibility criteria. If these resources are found to be excessive, the business will be required to use those resources in lieu of part or all of the requested loan proceeds.
• Ability to repay the loan on time from the projected operating cash flow of the business
• Good character. SBA obtains a "Statement of Personal History" from the principals of each applicant firm to determine if they have historically shown the willingness and ability to pay their debts and whether they have abided by the laws of their community
• Relevant management expertise
• Feasible business plan

CDC/504 Loan Amounts, Interest Rates & Fees

Loan Amounts

Maximum loan amounts are determined by how funds will be used based on which goal they support from the list below:

• Job Creation - The maximum SBA debenture is $5 million for meeting the job creation criteria or a community development goal. Generally, your business must create or retain one job for every $65,000 provided by the SBA, except for small manufacturers, which have a $100,000 job creation or retention goal (see below).
• Public Policy - The maximum SBA debenture is $5 million or $5.5 for small manufacturing or when meeting the public policy goals of energy reduction or alternative fuelsl. Examples of public policy goals include: 
  • Business district revitalization
  • Expansion of exports
  • Expansion of minority business development
  • Rural development
  • Increasing productivity and competitiveness
  • Restructuring because of federally mandated standards or policies
  • Changes necessitated by federal budget cutbacks
  • Expansion of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans (especially service-disabled veterans)
  • Expansion of small business concerns owned and controlled by women
• Small Manufacturing - The maximum debenture for small manufacturers is $5.5 million. A small manufacturer is defined as a business with its primary business classified in sector 31, 32, or 33 of the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS), and all of its production facilities located in the United States. To qualify for a $5.5 million 504 loan, your business must meet the definition of a small manufacturer and accomplish one of the following: 
  • Create or retain 1 job opportunity per $100,000 guaranteed by the SBA [Section 501(d)(1) of the Small Business Investment Act (SBI Act)]
  • Achieve one of the community development or public policy goals [sections 501(d)(2) or (3) of the SBI Act]

Collateral: Generally, the project assets being financed are used as collateral. Personal guarantees of the principal owners are also required.

Maturity Terms: Maturity terms of 10 and 20 years are available.

Interest Rates: Interest rates on 504 loans are pegged to an increment above the current market rate for 5-year and 10-year U.S. Treasury issues.

Fees: Fees total approximately 3 percent of the debenture and may be financed with the loan.

 

CDC/504 Loan Application Process

 

Once you have decided to apply for a loan guaranteed by the SBA, you will need to collect the appropriate documents for your application. The SBA does not provide direct loans. The process starts with your local lender, working within SBA guidelines.

Use the checklist below to ensure you have everything the lender will ask for to complete your application. Once your loan package is complete, your lender will submit it to the SBA. 

1. SBA Loan Application – To begin the process, you will need to complete an SBA loan application form. Access the most current form here: Application for Business Loan - SBA Form 1244.
2. Personal Background and Financial Statement – To assess your eligibility, the SBA also requires you complete the following forms:
   • Statement of Personal History - SBA Form 912
   • Personal Financial Statement - SBA Form 413
3. Business Financial Statements – To support your application and demonstrate your ability to repay the loan, prepare and include the following financial statements:

• Profit and Loss (P&L) Statement – This must be current within 90 days of your application. Also include supplementary schedules from the last three fiscal years.
• Projected Financial Statements – Include a detailed, one-year projection of income and finances and attach a written explanation as to how you expect to achieve this projection.

1. Ownership and Affiliations – Include a list of names and addresses of any subsidiaries and affiliates, including concerns in which you hold a controlling interest and other concerns that may be affiliated by stock ownership, franchise, proposed merger or otherwise with you.
2. Business Certificate/License – Your original business license or certificate of doing business.   If your business is a corporation, stamp your corporate seal on the SBA loan application form.
3. Loan Application History – Include records of any loans you may have applied for in the past.
4. Income Tax Returns – Include signed personal and business federal income tax returns of your business’ principals for previous three years.
5. Résumés – Include personal résumés for each principal.
6. Business Overview and History – Provide a brief history of the business and its challenges. Include an explanation of why the SBA loan is needed and how it will help the business.
7. Business Lease – Include a copy of your business lease, or note from your landlord, giving terms of proposed lease.
8. If You are Purchasing an Existing Business – The following information is needed for purchasing an existing business:

• Current balance sheet and P&L statement of business to be purchased
• Previous two years federal income tax returns of the business
• Proposed Bill of Sale including Terms of Sale
• Asking price with schedule of inventory, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures

7(a) Loan Program Eligibility

SBA provides loans to businesses; so the requirements of eligibility are based on specific aspects of the business and its principals. As such, the key factors of eligibility are based on what the business does to receive its income, the character of its ownership and where the business operates.

SBA generally does not specify what businesses are eligible. Rather, the agency outlines what businesses are not eligible.  However, there are some universally applicable requirements. To be eligible for assistance, businesses must:

• Operate for profit
• Be small, as defined by SBA
• Be engaged in, or propose to do business in, the United States or its possessions
• Have reasonable invested equity
• Use alternative financial resources, including personal assets, before seeking financial assistance
• Be able to demonstrate a need for the loan proceeds
• Use the funds for a sound business purpose
• Not be delinquent on any existing debt obligations to the U.S. government

Ineligible Businesses

A business must be engaged in an activity SBA determines as acceptable for financial assistance from a federal provider. The following list of businesses types are not eligible for assistance because of the activities they conduct:

• Financial businesses primarily engaged in the business of lending, such as banks, finance companies, payday lenders, some leasing companies and factors (pawn shops, although engaged in lending, may qualify in some circumstances)
• Businesses owned by developers and landlords that do not actively use or occupy the assets acquired or improved with the loan proceeds (except when the property is leased to the business at zero profit for the property’s owners)
• Life insurance companies
• Businesses located in a foreign country (businesses in the U.S. owned by aliens may qualify)
• Businesses engaged in pyramid sale distribution plans, where a participant's primary incentive is based on the sales made by an ever-increasing number of participants
• Businesses deriving more than one-third of gross annual revenue from legal gambling activities
• Businesses engaged in any illegal activity
• Private clubs and businesses that limit the number of memberships for reasons other than capacity
• Government-owned entities
• Businesses principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs, whether in a religious or secular setting
• Consumer and marketing cooperatives (producer cooperatives are eligible)
• Loan packagers earning more than one-third of their gross annual revenue from packaging SBA loans
• Businesses in which the lender or CDC, or any of its associates owns an equity interest
• Businesses that present live performances of an indecent sexual nature or derive directly or indirectly more 2.5 percent of gross revenue through the sale of products or services, or the presentation of any depictions or displays, of an indecent sexual nature
• Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities
• Speculative businesses (such as oil exploration)

There are also eligibility factors for financial assistance based on the activities of the owners and the historical operation of the business. As such, the business cannot have been:

• A business that caused the government to have incurred a loss related to a prior business debt
• A business owned 20 percent or more by a person associated with a different business that caused the government to have incurred a loss related to a prior business debt
• A business owned 20 percent or more by a person who is incarcerated, on probation, on parole, or has been indicted for a felony or a crime of moral depravity

Special Considerations

Special considerations apply to some types of businesses and individuals, which include:

• Franchises are eligible except when a franchiser retains power to control operations to such an extent as to equate to an employment contract; the franchisee must have the right to profit from efforts commensurate with ownership
• Recreational facilities and clubs are eligible if the facilities are open to the general public, or in membership-only situations, membership is not selectively denied or restricted to any particular groups
• Farms and agricultural businesses are eligible, but these applicants should first explore Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs, particularly if the applicant has a prior or existing relationship with FSA
• Fishing vessels are eligible, but those seeking funds for the construction or reconditioning of vessels with a cargo capacity of five tons or more must first request financing from the National Marine Fisheries Service
• Privately owned medical facilities including hospitals, clinics, emergency outpatient facilities, and medical and dental laboratories are eligible; recovery and nursing homes are also eligible, provided they are licensed by the appropriate government agency and they provide more than room and board
• An Eligible Passive Company (EPC) must use loan proceeds to acquire or lease, and/or improve or renovate, real or personal property that it leases to one or more operating companies and must not make any profit from conducting its activities
• Legal aliens are eligible; however, consideration is given to status (e.g., resident, lawful temporary resident) in determining the business’ degree of risk
• Probation or parole:  Applications will not be accepted from firms in which a principal is currently incarcerated, on parole, on probation or is a defendant in a criminal proceeding

Use of 7(a) Loan Proceeds

If you are awarded a 7(a) loan, you can use the loan proceeds to help finance a large variety of business purposes. However, there are a few restrictions. For example, proceeds can’t be used to buy an asset to hold for its potential increased value or to reimburse an owner for the money they previously put into their business.

Basic uses for 7(a) loan proceeds include:

• To provide long-term working capital to use to pay operational expenses, accounts payable and/or to purchase inventory
• Short-term working capital needs, including seasonal financing, contract performance, construction financing and exporting
• Revolving funds based on the value of existing inventory and receivables, under special conditions
• To purchase equipment, machinery, furniture, fixtures, supplies or materials
• To purchase real estate, including land and buildings
• To construct a new building or renovate an existing building
• To establish a new business or assist in the acquisition, operation or expansion of an existing business
• To refinance existing business debt, under certain conditions

SBA loans cannot be used for these purposes:

• To refinance existing debt where the lender is in a position to sustain a loss and SBA would take over that loss through refinancing
• To affect a partial change of business ownership or a change that will not benefit the business
• To permit the reimbursement of funds owed to any owner, including any equity injection or injection of capital to continue the business until the SBA-backed loan is disbursed
• To repay delinquent state or federal withholding taxes or other funds that should be held in trust or escrow
• For a purpose that is not considered to be a sound business purpose as determined by SBA
• If you are unsure whether or not your anticipated use of funds is allowed, check with your SBA-approved lender

7(a) Loan Amounts, Fees & Interest Rates

The specific terms of SBA loans are negotiated between a borrower and an SBA-approved lender. In general, the following provisions apply to all SBA 7(a) loans.

Loan Amounts

• 7(a) loans have a maximum loan amount of $5 million. SBA does not set a minimum loan amount. The average 7(a) loan amount in fiscal year 2015 was $371,628.

Fees

• Loans guaranteed by the SBA are assessed a guarantee fee. This fee is based on the loan’s maturity and the dollar amount guaranteed, not the total loan amount. The lender initially pays the guaranty fee and they have the option to pass that expense on to the borrower at closing. The funds to reimburse the lender can be included in the overall loan proceeds. 
• On loans under $150,000 made after October 1, 2013, the fees will be set at zero percent. On any loan greater than $150,000 with a maturity of one year or shorter, the fee is 0.25 percent of the guaranteed portion of the loan. On loans with maturities of more than one year, the normal fee is 3 percent of the SBA-guaranteed portion on loans of $150,000 to $700,000, and 3.5 percent on loans of more than $700,000. There is also an additional fee of 0.25 percent on any guaranteed portion of more than $1 million.

Interest Rates

• The actual interest rate for a 7(a) loan guaranteed by the SBA is negotiated between the applicant and lender and subject to the SBA maximums. Both fixed and variable interest rate structures are available. The maximum rate is composed of two parts, a base rate, and an allowable spread. There are three acceptable base rates (A prime rate published in a daily national newspaper*, London Interbank One Month Prime plus 3 percent and an SBA Peg Rate). 
• Lenders are allowed to add an additional spread to the base rate to arrive at the final rate. For loans with maturities of shorter than seven years, the maximum spread will be no more than 2.25 percent. For loans with maturities of seven years or more, the maximum spread will be 2.75 percent. The spread on loans of less than $50,000 and loans processed through Express procedures have higher maximums.
• *All references to the prime rate refer to the base rate in effect on the first business day of the month the loan application is received by the SBA.

Percentage of Guarantee

• SBA can guarantee as much as 85 percent on loans of up to $150,000 and 75 percent on loans of more than $150,000. SBA’s maximum exposure amount is $3,750,000. Thus, if a business receives an SBA-guaranteed loan for $5 million, the maximum guarantee to the lender will be $3,750,000 or 75%. SBA Express loans have a maximum guarantee set at 50 percent.

7(a) Loan Application Checklist

Once you have decided to apply for a loan guaranteed by the SBA, you will need to collect the appropriate documents for your application. The SBA does not provide direct loans. The process starts with your local lender, working within SBA guidelines.

Use the checklist below to ensure you have everything the lender will ask for to complete your application. Once your loan package is complete, your lender will submit it to the SBA. 

1. SBA Loan Application – To begin the process, you will need to complete an SBA loan application form. Access the most current form here: Borrower Information Form - SBA Form 1919
2. Personal Background and Financial Statement – To assess your eligibility, the SBA also requires you complete the following forms: 

• Statement of Personal History - SBA Form 912
• Personal Financial Statement - SBA Form 413

1. Business Financial Statements – To support your application and demonstrate your ability to repay the loan, prepare and include the following financial statements:

• Profit and Loss (P&L) Statement – This must be current within 180 days of your application. Also include supplementary schedules from the last three fiscal years.
• Projected Financial Statements – Include a detailed, one-year projection of income and finances and attach a written explanation as to how you expect to achieve this projection.

1. Ownership and Affiliations – Include a list of names and addresses of any subsidiaries and affiliates, including concerns in which you hold a controlling interest and other concerns that may be affiliated by stock ownership, franchise, proposed merger or otherwise with you.
2. Business Certificate/License – Your original business license or certificate of doing business.   If your business is a corporation, stamp your corporate seal on the SBA loan application form.
3. Loan Application History – Include records of any loans you may have applied for in the past.
4. Income Tax Returns – Include signed personal and business federal income tax returns of your business’ principals for previous three years.
5. Résumés – Include personal résumés for each principal.
6. Business Overview and History – Provide a brief history of the business and its challenges. Include an explanation of why the SBA loan is needed and how it will help the business.
7. Business Lease – Include a copy of your business lease, or note from your landlord, giving terms of proposed lease.
8. If You are Purchasing an Existing Business – The following information is needed for purchasing an existing business:

• Current balance sheet and P&L statement of business to be purchased
• Previous two years federal income tax returns of the business
• Proposed Bill of Sale including Terms of Sale
• Asking price with schedule of inventory, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures

 

Questions? Contact Madera Financial Today to discuss your SBA loan needs

(520)241-0969

 

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