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Unlock the Right SBA Loan

Whether you're just starting a small business or expanding to take advantage of new opportunities, a loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may be right for you.

SBA Loans To Grow Your Business

As an SBA Preferred Lender, BankUnited can provide flexible financing with lower down payments and an easier path to approval so you can enhance cash flow and focus on growth.

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Experienced SBA Guidance

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Acquire a Business or Franchise

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Finance Equipment, Growth, & More

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Refinance an Existing Loan

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Flexible Terms Tailored to Your Needs

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May Offer More Flexible Qualification Requirements Than Certain Conventional Loan Programs

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SBA 7(a) Loan

The SBA 7(a) loan is a versatile small business loan designed to support a wide range of financing needs, from working capital to real estate. 


Why an SBA 7(a) loan?
  • Long repayment terms – reducing monthly payments
  • Down payments as low as 10%
  • Frees up cash for expansion
  • Financing available for various industries, including manufacturing, hospitality, and more

SBA 504 Loan

A smart option for major fixed assets, SBA 504 loans provide long-term financing for real estate and equipment with less equity required than a conventional loan.

 

Why an SBA 504 loan?
  • Low down payment of only 10%
  • Long repayment terms – reducing monthly payments
  • Frees up cash flow for growth
  • Flexible rate options, including fixed rates
  • Fees and soft costs may be financed
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Small Business Banking Resources

BankUnited supports entrepreneurs with tailored small business banking solutions designed to help manage cash flow and plan for growth. Our team delivers guidance and tools that align with your long-term goals.

From daily banking needs to strategic financing solutions like SBA loans, we equip your business with the resources to operate efficiently and expand with confidence.
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Flexible financing options

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Relationship focused support

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Additional Small Business Banking Solutions

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Business Checking Accounts

Manage daily cash flow with flexible business checking accounts designed for efficiency, convenience, and control. Access digital tools and support to keep your business running smoothly.

Learn More

Business Savings Accounts

Build reserves and plan for future expenses with business savings accounts that offer competitive rates and easy access to funds when needed.

Learn More

Treasury Solutions

Explore treasury management solutions designed to optimize cash flow, streamline payables and receivables, reduce risk, and support day-to-day financial operations with confidence.

Learn More

SBA Loans FAQs


Get answers to common questions about small business administration loans and how BankUnited can help you apply for an SBA loan.

SBA loans are small business loans partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, designed to make financing more accessible with flexible terms.

You can apply for an SBA loan by working with an approved lender like BankUnited, who will guide you through the SBA loan application and documentation process step-by-step.

An SBA 7(a) loan can be used for working capital, business acquisition, equipment purchases, refinancing, and commercial real estate.

SBA lending solutions offer lower down payments, longer repayment terms, and more flexible qualification requirements than many conventional small business loans.

For many businesses, SBA loans are considered among the best small business loans due to their favorable terms and broad range of uses.

Contact Us to Apply for an SBA Loan  


Connect with our team to explore the best small business loans for your needs. We are here to guide you through every step of the SBA loan application process.

Featured Insights

Get insights on starting and growing your business, managing cash flow, protecting your assets, stories from real clients, and much more.

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Cybersecurity Best Practices for Small Businesses

Feb 1, 2024, 13:22 PM
Title : Cybersecurity Best Practices for Small Businesses
Bank united author : eFraud Prevention
Featured : No
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Learn some best practices to protect you and your business from cyber fraud.

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Cybersecurity is a growing concern for many organizations, regardless of size. While you can never fully take away the risk of an attack or breach, with some planning, due diligence, and regular review, you can take helpful steps to protect your entity in this important area.

Operations & Human Resources

Educate Your Employees. Data breaches are often caused by employees – navigating to sites infected with malware, downloading infected attachments, and/or accessing Wi-Fi from an unsecured location. Educate your employees on your policies and why they are in place. Encourage them to frequently change passwords and offer guidelines on creating secure passwords. 

Review Accounts and Financial Statements. Review your operating business account(s) and financial statements for suspicious amounts or vendors.  By keeping a regular pulse on the financial state of your business, you will be more likely to recognize the fraudulent activity.  

Segregation of Duties.  Regularly review your company’s segregation of duties for any gaps, especially if there has been staff turnover in the accounting department.  This issue is best dealt with as soon as an employee leaves, but you may find it helpful to set a regular review schedule to ensure that proper controls are in place.  

Technology Controls.  When reviewing gaps in employee turnover, don’t forget technology controls.  Companies often forget to change access codes and passwords when an employee leaves, leaving their technology at risk.  A regular review of policies and access levels will help to prevent security breaches. 

Data Security.  Recovering all data from the desktop hard drive and notifying vendors so that this individual cannot place orders or incur obligations on behalf of the company.

Company Policies and Educational Processes

Each year, companies should review their anti-fraud and whistleblower policies to ensure they are still effective for the company’s current size and that they are serving their intended purpose.  While these are general risk areas that affect every company, it is essential to understand your business’ specific risks, which will depend on your size, structure and industry.  Involve your Board of Directors, Audit Committee, or Certified Public Accountant as appropriate. Larger organizations may want to engage a Certified Fraud Examiner to help it review and develop the appropriate controls.  A small-time investment upfront may just pay off by preventing costly fraud expenses.

Internal Controls and Policies. Just like you have internal controls for your financial processes, you need controls and policies around your IT assets, as well. Ensure that passwords are changed, and access is removed for terminated employees as soon as possible, and limit employee access to sensitive data.

Develop and communicate clear policies for employees regarding what devices they can use, what types of programs/applications they can download, and how to securely access Wi-Fi when needed. Make sure to communicate clear policies around your company’s IT security controls to help decrease your company’s vulnerability.

Mobile Devices

  • Implement a mobile device management program, requiring authentication to unlock a device, locking out a device after failed attempts, using encrypted data communications/storage, and enabling the remote wiping of devices if a mobile device is lost or stolen.
  • Permit only authorized wireless devices to connect to your network, including point of sale terminals and credit card devices, and encrypt communications with wireless devices such as routers and printers. Keep all "guest" network access on separate servers and access devices with strong encryption such as WPA2 with AES encryption or use of an IPSec VPN.

 

topic :
  • Fraud Prevention
media :
  • Article
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SBA 7(a) Loan

Use of Proceeds:

  • Real estate – purchase, construction, renovation or refinance of commercial real estate – majority of space must be owner-occupied; loans up to $5 million
  • Business acquisition – business, franchise or professional practice; loans up to $5 million
  • Machinery & equipment – purchase or refinance; loans up to $5 million
  • Start-up – franchised businesses; loans up to $5 million

Terms:

  • Real estate – up to 90% financing, up to 25 years, prepayment penalty for initial 3 years (none after the end of year 3)
  • Business acquisition – up to 80% financing, up to 10 years, no prepayment penalty
  • Refinance – up to 25 years, prepayment penalty applicable for initial 3 years on terms greater than 15 years
  • Rates are based on a spread over the Prime Lending Rate (rates vary depending on the specific strengths of the transaction)
  • SBA Guarantee Fee is paid directly to the U.S. Small Business Administration; amount varies based on loan/guarantee amount; other customary fees also apply
  • All SBA 7a loans are fully amortized and are assumable

SBA 504 Loan

Use of Proceeds:

  • Purchase, refinance, construction, or renovation of owner-occupied commercial real estate
  • Purchase and installation of long-life machinery and equipment 
  • 50% financing – first mortgage from BankUnited
  • 40% financing – SBA 504 second mortgage (provided through a local Certified Development Corporation)
  • 10% minimum down payment by the borrower (15% in the case of special use properties)

Terms:
Fixed and variable rates available.

First mortgage:

  • Up to 25 years, fully amortized
  • Prepayment penalty applies and is set based on various factors

Second mortgage:

  • 20 year, fully amortized
  • Fixed rate is determined at SBA-guaranteed 504 debenture sale

 

*Minimum borrower equity contribution varies based on loan structure, collateral, use of proceeds, borrower experience, and SBA program requirements

 

Interest rates, fees, and program terms vary based on loan structure, borrower qualifications, collateral, and SBA requirements.

 

All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Program not available in all states. Program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions, limitations and fees may apply. All loans are offered through BankUnited, N.A. This is not a commitment to lend.