The numbers behind the tools
Every figure our calculators use, in one place, each with its as-of date. These render straight from the site's data files, so what you see here is exactly what the tools compute with.
The base rate nearly every 7(a) loan floats over. Our rate file reads it from FRED, and every calculator on this site starts here.
Source: FRED DPRIME, the bank prime loan rate, refreshed monthly by our rate job. Margins are the range most 7(a) change-of-ownership quotes land in; the cap is SBA's posted ceiling on variable-rate 7(a) loans above $350,000.
As of August 13, 2026SBA DSCR floors
Acquisition floor rises Oct 1, 2026The minimum debt service coverage a deal has to clear. One number moves: SOP 50 10 8.1 raises the acquisition floor and leaves business expansion where it is.
The 8.1 floors are measured on historical results, not projections, and individual lenders hold overlays above them. Read the SOP 50 10 8.1 summary or check your deal.
As of August 13, 2026Reference tables
Median rate by deal size
7(a) change-of-ownership loans, FY2025 to FY2026. Bigger deals price better.
| Deal size | Loans | Median rate |
|---|---|---|
| Under $150K | 1,681 | 9.50% |
| $150K to $350K | 2,008 | 9.50% |
| $350K to $700K | 2,420 | 9.50% |
| $700K to $1M | 1,554 | 9.25% |
| $1M to $2M | 2,298 | 9.00% |
| $2M to $3.5M | 1,399 | 9.00% |
| $3.5M+ | 945 | 8.75% |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA file, change-of-ownership loans, FY2025 to FY2026. Median initial interest rate per approval-size bucket; refreshed quarterly with the federal file. Methodology.
As of June 30, 2026FY26 upfront guaranty fee
Charged on the guaranteed portion. SBA guarantees 85% at or under $150,000 gross and 75% above. The tier is set by the gross loan.
Source: SBA Information Notice 5000-872051, 7(a) fees effective October 1, 2025. There is no general small-loan waiver: the only 0% upfront fee is for manufacturers in NAICS 31-33 at or under $950,000, excluding MARC loans. The 0.55% annual service fee is a lender cost and may not be passed to the borrower. Estimate yours in the 7(a) calculator.
As of August 13, 2026Where are 504 debenture rates?
504 debenture rates are set at the monthly debenture sale and published by the CDC industry; they are not yet in our data pipeline. The 504 calculator takes the current effective rate as an input, with a pointer to where to find it.