Skip to main content
Back
Scroll to top

What is the SBA?

Running A Business 3 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

If you have a business plan but are having trouble acquiring a bank loan, consider reaching out to the Small Business Association (SBA). The SBA is a government-affiliated organization that provides small businesses with a variety of finance programs. The SBA can help facilitate a loan for you with a third-party lender.

What is the SBA?

Many people opening a new business may not yet be familiar with the SBA. It’s an agency backed by the federal government that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners access starting capital, and under some conditions approval is guaranteed. In order to help people start or expand their businesses, the SBA partners with a network of lenders to help provide loans, contracts, and other forms of financial assistance.

SBA Loan Basics

If you’re a small business owner having trouble qualifying for a traditional loan, the SBA offers various different loan programs, each designed for a specific purpose.

If you’re starting or expanding your business, consider the following loan programs:

If your business has suffered an economic loss or physical disaster, consider a:

  • Disaster Loan
  • Veteran and Military Community Loan

In addition to those programs, there are also:

  • Export Assistance Loans
  • Special Purpose Loans

How First Bank SBA Can Help

A lot of business owners just starting out use the First Bank SBA option so they can stop worrying about money and focus on work. Here are the ways our SBA loans help you get off the ground:

  • Acquisition
    There’s often less risk involved when acquiring a business than if you’re starting from scratch. First Bank gets you the financing you need while providing guidance worthy of an acquisition partner.
  • Refinance Debt
    For business owners who are refinancing, First Bank will properly evaluate your loan and give you the best plan moving forward.
  • Succession
    Whether you’re taking over the family business or buying into a new opportunity, First Bank provides business owners with clear guidance and thoughtful planning.

Need help figuring out which loan program best fits your financing needs? Talk to the experts at First Bank to discuss loan types and SBA lenders in your area and to get the application process started right away.

———-
Sources:

Small Business Association: sba.gov/loans-grants/see-what-sba-offers/what-sba-offers-help-small-businesses-grow

SBA.gov 7(a) program: sba.gov/loans-grants/see-what-sba-offers/sba-loan-programs/general-small-business-loans-7a/7a-loan-program-eligibility

SBA.gov: sba.gov/loans-grants/see-what-sba-offers/sba-loan-programs/loan-programs


Loans Subject To Approval

Ready to talk to an expert?

Share:

You may be interested in...

Find Small Business Loans in South Carolina It can be hard finding the right small business loans in South Carolina, especially when you’re looking for a new bank. At First Bank, we’re have more than a dozen convenient locations across South Carolina to provide the best in small business banking. Loan Options for Small Businesses When you work with First Bank, you’re working with the bank that was named the Community Bank of the Year by NC Rural Center. Check out our small business loan options, featuring flexible terms and competitive rates you can expect from working with First Bank. Business Loans — When you need an immediate lump sum of cash to help finance projects, inventory, or equipment, consider one of our business loans. Our loans are convenient for small business owners looking for long-term financing options.* Lines of Credit — First Bank’s lines of credit give small business owners the flexibility they’re looking for when they need to quickly and conveniently access cash. No matter how you use it, our credit lines are designed to meet your business’s unique financial needs. Commercial Mortgages — Our wide selection of commercial mortgages are available at a competitive price. We have a dedicated staff of commercial real estate specialists who can offer industry knowledge and market area expertise to help you find the right product for the needs of your business.* Construction Loans — For small businesses looking for begin a project for new construction, remodeling, expansion, or other construction projects, First Bank’s financing team can provide loans for investors and builders looking to for loans uniquely designed for their construction needs. Business Credit Cards — We offer our First Bank Mastercard Business Card with Rewards credit card, which can benefit small businesses as their own expense management tool that offers lower rates, no annual fee, and rewards benefits.* All Your Business Loan Needs at First Bank in South Carolina Since opening our first branch in 1935, First Bank has been dedicated to helping local communities succeed in their financial endeavors. Whether you’re looking for a personal or small business loan in South Carolina, we can work with you to find the best products for your needs. Come visit your nearest First Bank in South Carolina today to get started. *Loans subject to credit approval. See our Terms 3 min read
Small Business Line of Credit Obtaining a line of credit for your small business can help your entrepreneurial spirit take the company to the next level. This line of credit can be a more affordable option than a business loan because you only pay interest on the money you utilize. Acquiring this type of loan depends on your current credit score and how much a bank perceives you as a risk. For small businesses, a line of credit is a good short-term option that works much like a credit card in the way it provides extra funds or cushion for financing “ongoing working capital.” Credit lines can be used in a variety of ways to benefit your business, including: remodeling, expanding or upgrading your facilities; buying new technological equipment; purchasing extra inventory for future events; launching a “new online marketing campaign”; creating a “new product prototype” or pursuing a “promising business opportunity”; and covering “unexpected expenses.” No matter which benefit you’re looking for with a small business line of credit, there are some factors to consider when determining if it’s the best financial option for your business’ cash flow. Top 3 Advantages of Obtaining a Small Business Line of Credit Stay in control—A line of credit enables you to further your business goals without bringing on investors, who will likely want at least some, if not a large portion, of control over your business in exchange for their financial backing. You also don’t have to “dip into personal savings or ask friends and family for money.” Financial flexibility—As previously mentioned, this credit line gives you more flexibility than a closed-end loan because you only “access money when you need it,” and you don’t have to pay interest on the funds you don’t use. Establish credit history—Building a good credit history for your business now helps to better your chances of obtaining “future credit accounts and loans.” Get a Flexible Line of Credit for Your Small Business at First Bank At First Bank, small businesses hold a special place in our hearts. Since 1935, when we opened our first branch in Troy, North Carolina, we’ve been known as a community bank that strives to assist local businesses get the financial support they need to achieve their 3 min read
Small Business Startup Loans – South Carolina Building a successful business takes passion, hard work, and dedication, but you shouldn’t have to do it all on your own. With First Bank’s small business startup loans, you can get the funds you need to build and grow a successful business from the ground up. Get a Startup Loan from First Bank Small business startup loans aren’t one-size-fits-all and that’s why your local First Bank offers five business loan options to meet the unique needs of businesses like yours. Each of our credit options provides you with competitive rates and flexible terms, giving you an edge over the competition. We provide our customers with: A business credit card with rewards benefits that offers lower rates and no annual fee.* Lines of credit that give you the ability to access cash quickly and conveniently. Business loans for long-term financing so you can expand your new business easily and quickly. Commercial mortgages that can be customized to meet your individual needs. SBA loans, which are government-sponsored loans provided through First Bank. First Bank Success Story In 1918, Schofield’s Hardware Store in Florence, South Carolina, opened for the first time. Nearly 100 years later, Schofield’s is still providing its loyal Florence customers with a variety of products from clothing to paint. “Whether it’s a traditional business loan, credit line, commercial mortgage, construction loan or business credit card, First Bank can provide the foundation you need to become your own success story.” Our support for small businesses reaches well beyond startup loans. Check out our Financial Education Center to learn more about starting and running your own business, including: Evaluating a location for business potential Tips on marketing and social media strategies Cash management mistakes and how to avoid them Utilizing Google to help new customers find you Ways to grow a loyal customer base Visit First Bank Today Our resources for small business owners don’t end with startup loans. We also offer business checking accounts, savings accounts, treasury services, and more. To learn about our small business startup loans, visit one of First Bank’s South Carolina locations today. *See our Terms and Conditions for complete details on our One Rewards Program. Loans subject to credit approval. ——— Sources: Money Crashers: http://www.moneycrashers.com/new-home-construction-loan/ 2 min read
Image for tile. How to streamline and automate your business Your tools have to grow with you It’s payroll day again. Miguel stares at the screen, hesitating to approve the final batch of payments. Everything looks right — it usually is — but with two new offices for his construction services company opening soon, crews in the field, a network of suppliers, and dozens of large transactions happening every day, he can’t afford to make any mistakes. This moment might look familiar. Going from a new small business to an established one is like going from a one-lane road to a four-lane highway: More traffic, happening faster. How is one person supposed to keep up? The truth is: Manual oversight doesn’t scale Miguel’s dilemma isn’t an uncommon one. Owners of established businesses often find themselves losing hours of valuable time by doing everything themselves. That approach made perfect sense when there were 15 transactions a day — it’s harder with 150. That’s why owners like Miguel need to stop investing more of their own time and start investing in a toolbox that helps streamline, automate, and protect what they’ve built. Even successful businesses often struggle with: High transaction volumes across multiple accounts Manual payment approvals eating time or causing delays Increased exposure to fraud and unauthorized transactions A lack of visibility into real-time cashflow Don’t waste your most valuable resource If you own an established business and you’re still spending time on payroll runs, ACH batches, wire transfers, vendor payments, and deposits, then you’re wasting your most valuable resource. Your time. Luckily, there’s a simple solution: Treasury Services. Treasury Services aren’t a single product. They’re a full suite of business tools specifically designed to help established businesses operate smoothly and safely. Not only do you get your time back — time you could spend on family, strategy, or simply snoozing your 5 a.m. alarm — but you actually reduce the risk of costly errors. What are Treasury Services? Remote Deposit Capture For businesses handling high volumes of checks, this tool lets you make deposits quickly and easily — without making daily trips to your local bank. Electronic payments Send and receive funds electronically to keep business flowing smoothly and reduce your reliance on slower, manual methods. Corporate banking services Unlock the full power of digital banking with tools to assign permissions, grant approval rights, provide control to select employees, and schedule specialized reports in advance. Credit card processing Streamline and simplify card payments with customizable reporting, automatic batching, virtual terminals, mobile processing, and more. Positive Pay Add custom safeguards to your transactions, keeping trustworthy payments flowing while guarding against unauthorized activity. Lockbox services Make it easier to receive payments by mail and turn your accounts receivable into usable cash quickly, cutting labor costs and improving efficiency. Start building better systems today When treasury services are done right, the impact is immediate. Fewer bottlenecks, clarity on cashflow, and less time spent chasing paperwork. If your business has gotten more and more complex over time, but your tools haven’t kept up, it may be time to think about sitting down with a local banker to discuss your options — because we believe that great solutions start with conversations, not applications. 3 min read
First Bank logo
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website are the most popular and useful.