One week, you’re booked out.

The next week, you need a second van or a larger hood system. 

If you want financing that fits the way small companies really operate, SBA loans sit at the top of the list in Texas. 

They reduce lender risk and give you longer terms, so everything lines up with cash flow instead of choking it. 

Here is how the main programs break down, who qualifies, and where to find people in Texas who will pick up the phone and walk you through it.

The SBA Loan Landscape in Texas

When people say ‘SBA loans in Texas,’ they usually mean three programs.

The 7(a) loan, the 504 loan, or the Microloan. 

The SBA doesn’t lend the money, it guarantees part of a loan made by a bank, credit union, or community lender.

The SBA’s guarantee of a portion lowers the lender’s risk and opens the door for longer terms and reasonable payments. 

Here’s a quick map: 

  • 7(a) supports working capital, equipment, buying a business, or refinancing certain debt. 
  • 504 focuses on owner-occupied real estate and heavy equipment through a two-lender structure. A bank funds most of the project. A Certified Development Company (CDC) funds the rest on long, fixed terms. 
  • Microloan covers smaller needs through nonprofit intermediaries. 

Different SBA loans in Texas Explained 

Let’s deep dive into all the options. 

SBA 7(a) Loans

SBA 7(a) is a flexible tool owners use for working capital, equipment, buying a business or partner buyout, and refinancing eligible debt.

You apply through a lender, and the exact paperwork varies by loan size and process. 

You work directly with your lender; the SBA just provides the guarantee. 

What Lenders Look For

You still need to show repayment ability, reasonable credit, and a clear use of funds. 

Rates and fees fall within SBA guidelines and are then negotiated with your lender.

Where is 7(a) most suitable? 

  • You need a single loan to cover mixed uses like inventory plus equipment. 
  • You plan to buy a business in Austin and need goodwill (the intangible value of a business beyond its assets) and working capital in the same package. 
  • You want to refinance a stack of short-term merchant loans (subject to SBA rules on eligible refinances).

SBA 504 Loans

Use a 504 loan to buy an owner-occupied building or long-life equipment.

The loan is split between two lenders.

A bank or credit union covers most of it. 

A Certified Development Company covers the rest with a second loan on long, fixed terms.

Where does 504 fit?

  • You want fixed-rate, long-term financing on a big asset. 
  • You plan to expand to a second location in San Antonio and want predictable payments. 
  • You need heavy equipment in the Permian Basin that outlasts short-term.

SBA Microloans

Microloans are delivered by nonprofit lenders and pair smaller amounts with hands-on guidance.

This program can be helpful for startups or early-stage firms that are not quite bank-ready. 

Understanding the Eligibility Criteria 

SBA loans are meant for for-profit businesses in the U.S. that fall under the SBA’s definition of “small” and can show they have enough cash flow to repay the loan.

The SBA has official rules that spell this out, but here’s the short version:

  • Your business has to operate legally in the U.S. 
  • You need to qualify as a “small business” for your industry based on revenue or number of employees. You can check by entering your NAICS code in the Size Standards Tool. 
  • You need to show the business can actually pay the loan back.

Who Cannot Get an SBA Loan in Texas? 

Certain businesses are automatically ineligible, including nonprofits, businesses mainly involved in lending money, and a few other categories listed in the SBA’s rules. 

If your situation feels a little unusual, it’s always worth asking an SBA lender or your local SBDC before you assume you don’t qualify.

Local Help in Texas You Should Know About

SBA loans are national programs, but the real support network in Texas makes them easier to use. 

Whether you need someone to look over your projections or a partner to walk you through an application, you can find no-cost advisors and mission-driven lenders close by.

SBA District Offices in Texas

  • Dallas/Fort Worth
  • Houston
  • Lower Rio Grande Valley (Harlingen)
  • West Texas (Lubbock)

District offices hold events, explain SBA policy, and connect you with lenders that are active in your area.

What Documents to Gather Before You Talk to a Lender

Every lender has a slightly different checklist, but most will ask for the same core documents.

You can save weeks by organizing them early.

  • Business financials: Last 2 to 3 years of tax returns, current P&L, and balance sheet 
  • Personal financial statement: SBA Form 413.  
  • Ownership information: Formation documents and an ownership breakdown (who owns what percentage) 
  • Debt schedule: List of current business debts with terms and balances 
  • Bank statements: Last 6-12 months for business accounts 
  • Projections: Usually 2 years forward, especially for acquisitions or startups 
  • Use of proceeds: A simple breakdown of how funds will be applied such as purchase agreement, equipment quotes, contractor bids, etc.

Create a single, clearly labeled folder or one combined PDF. 

Lenders appreciate organization, and it sets the tone that you can manage a loan responsibly.

How ROK Financial Can Help 

We work with Texas businesses every day that are exploring SBA loans.  

Our role is to pre-qualify you, structure the loan correctly, and package the documents so lenders say yes faster.

We have relationships with SBA lenders and Texas CDCs, and we know how to position applications for everything from working capital to buying your own building. 

With ROK Financial, approvals can happen quickly once your file is complete. Closings often move in weeks rather than months. 

If an SBA product is not the best fit, we can also connect you with equipment financing, lines of credit, or franchise funding. 

The point is to match you with the right capital so you can run your business without worrying about how to fund the next step.

You do not need to figure this out alone. 

Reach out, and we will walk you through the SBA path that makes sense for you, right here in Texas.