SBA Loans in Wisconsin: Your Complete 2025 Guide
For small businesses and entrepreneurs in Wisconsin, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans have become a critical path to affordable financing. Whether you are starting a business in Milwaukee, expanding in Madison, purchasing commercial real estate in Green Bay, or acquiring equipment in Eau Claire, this comprehensive 2025 guide details everything you need to know about securing an SBA loan in Wisconsin.
- SBA Loans in Wisconsin: Your Complete 2025 Guide
- Why Choose SBA Loans in Wisconsin?
- SBA Loan Types Available in Wisconsin (2025)
- 2025 Focus: SBA Working Capital Financing in Wisconsin
- Eligibility & Qualification Requirements for Wisconsin Businesses (2025)
- Top SBA Preferred Lenders in Wisconsin (2025)
- Wisconsin 2025 SBA Loan Application: Step-By-Step
- SBA Loan Success Stories from Wisconsin Businesses
- Wisconsin SBA District Office & Local Resources
- Additional Business Incentives & 2025 State Economic Programs
- Your Next Steps: Securing SBA Financing in Wisconsin
Why Choose SBA Loans in Wisconsin?
- Government-backed: Reduced risk for lenders, easier approval for borrowers.
- Lower down payments: Commonly 10% for many loan types.
- Competitive rates: SBA sets rate caps, often below traditional bank loans.
- Longer repayment terms: Up to 25 years for real estate, 10 years for equipment.
- Flexible uses: Working capital, business acquisition, equipment, startups, real estate, exporting, and more.
SBA Loan Types Available in Wisconsin (2025)
1. SBA 7(a) Loans
The most popular and versatile SBA loan. Use funds for working capital, acquisition, equipment, refinancing, or real estate.
- Loan amounts: Up to $5 million
- Typical rates (2025): Prime + 2%-2.75% (floating), adjusted quarterly
- Terms: Up to 10 years (working capital/equipment); up to 25 years for real estate
- Down payment: Typically 10% minimum
- Guarantee fee: 0.25%–3.5% (may be waived for some loans in 2025)
2. SBA 504 Loans
Ideal for real estate, large equipment, or construction projects. Structured with SBA, your lender, and a local Certified Development Company (CDC).
Need capital? GHC Funding offers flexible funding solutions to support your business growth or real estate projects. Discover fast, reliable financing options today!
⚡ Key Flexible Funding Options:
GHC Funding everages financing types that prioritize asset value and cash flow over lengthy financial history checks:
DSCR Rental Loan
- No tax returns required
- Qualify using rental income (DSCR-based)
- Fast closings ~3–4 weeks
SBA 7(a) Loan
- Lower down payments vs banks
- Long amortization improves cash flow
- Good if your business occupies 51%+
Bridge Loan
- Close quickly — move on opportunities
- Flexible underwriting
- Great for value-add or transitional assets
SBA 504 Loan
- Low fixed rates through CDC portion
- Great for construction, expansion, fixed assets
- Often lower down payment than bank loans
🌐 Learn More
For details on GHC Funding's specific products and to start an application, please visit our homepage:
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- Loan amounts: Up to $5.5 million from SBA (can be higher with lender/CDC participation)
- Typical rates (2025): As low as 6.5%, fixed
- Terms: 10, 20, or 25 years (fixed rate on the SBA portion)
- Down payment: Minimum 10% (sometimes higher for startups/special properties)
3. SBA Microloans
Great for startups and very small businesses who need less than $50,000.
- Loan amounts: Up to $50,000 (average: $13,000)
- Rates: Typically 8%–13% in 2025
- Terms: Maximum 7 years
- Best for: Home-based businesses, retailers, food trucks, solo entrepreneurs
4. SBA Express Loans
Faster approval and funding, up to 0,000. Best for urgent working capital or quick expansions.
- Loan amounts: Up to $500,000
- Approval time: As fast as 36 hours
- Rates: Up to 4.5% over prime
- Uses: Working capital, equipment, lines of credit
5. SBA Export Loans
Wisconsin has a thriving export market. SBA’s export loan programs help you fund international sales growth.
- Export Express: Up to $500,000 (fast approval)
- Export Working Capital: Up to $5 million
- International Trade Loan: Up to $5 million
2025 Focus: SBA Working Capital Financing in Wisconsin
With ongoing economic volatility, many Wisconsin businesses are prioritizing working capital in 2025. Whether bridging seasonal gaps, launching new products, or offsetting supply chain lags, SBA loans offer flexible terms for working capital needs.
Eligibility & Qualification Requirements for Wisconsin Businesses (2025)
- Business type: For-profit, operating in the U.S. (or its territories), owned by U.S. citizens or lawful residents
- Size standard: Business must meet SBA’s small business criteria for its NAICS code
- Personal credit score: Generally 650+ for most programs
- Time in business: 2+ years preferred for traditional loans (startups eligible for microloans and some Express loans)
- Collateral: Required for loans >$25,000 (7(a), 504), though some Express and microloans may be unsecured
- Down payment: 10% minimum (higher for startups/acquisitions/real estate)
- Owner investment: Skin-in-the-game expectation for startups/acquisitions
- No delinquencies: Must not be delinquent on federal debt (e.g., student loans, taxes)
Top SBA Preferred Lenders in Wisconsin (2025)
- U.S. Bank National Association (Top 7(a) and 504 lender with branches statewide)
- Associated Bank (Wisconsin-based, robust business lending team)
- WBD Inc. (Wisconsin Business Development) (Major Certified Development Company for 504 loans)
- Summit Credit Union (Active in microloans and express loans, strong presence in Madison/central WI)
- Wells Fargo Bank (National preferred SBA lender, active in Milwaukee and Green Bay)
- Gateway Capital (Specialist in microloans, early-stage ventures in southeast Wisconsin)
Wisconsin 2025 SBA Loan Application: Step-By-Step
- Assess your financing needs (Amount, Use: working capital, acquisition, equipment, etc.)
- Check eligibility (Credit, time in business, collateral, owner investment, business plan for startups)
- Choose the right SBA program (7(a), 504, Microloan, Express, Export)
- Find a preferred SBA lender (see above for Wisconsin options)
- Prepare documentation:
- Business plan (for startups or major expansions)
- 3 years personal and business tax returns
- Current business financials (balance sheet, P&L, cash flow)
- Personal financial statement
- Business licenses, articles of incorporation
- Collateral details (real estate, equipment, etc.)
- Submit application to lender (lender will submit to SBA for guarantee approval)
- Lender/SBA review & underwriting (Credit check, business viability, collateral appraisal)
- Receive approval and closing documents
- Loan closing & funding (Funds typically received within 1-6 weeks)
SBA Loan Success Stories from Wisconsin Businesses
- Startup Financing: Green Roots Juice Bar (Madison) obtained a $42,500 SBA Microloan through Summit Credit Union to launch its storefront, covering equipment, staff, and marketing. Now employing 9 people after two years.
- Business Acquisition: Cedar Tech Services (Appleton) secured a $1.9 million SBA 7(a) loan from Associated Bank to purchase a local IT service company. The deal kept 14 jobs in the community and resulted in steady revenue growth.
- Working Capital: Lake Country Outfitters (Oconomowoc) used an SBA Express Loan ($350,000, U.S. Bank) to expand inventory for peak fishing and boating season, resulting in a 27% year-over-year sales increase.
- Commercial Real Estate: Cream City Café (Milwaukee) financed their new location by combining SBA 504 ($900,000 from WBD Inc., fixed-rate) and bank funds ($1.2 million), allowing for a 20-year repayment and only 10% down.
Wisconsin SBA District Office & Local Resources
- Wisconsin SBA District Office
310 West Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 580, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: (414) 297-3941
sba.gov/offices/district/wi/milwaukee - SCORE Wisconsin (Free expert mentoring: wisconsin.score.org)
- Wisconsin SBDC (Small Business Development Centers) (wisconsinsbdc.org—business planning, financial advice, loan packaging support)
Additional Business Incentives & 2025 State Economic Programs
- Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC): Grants and loan guarantees for qualifying industries (wedc.org)
- Manufacturing & Agriculture Credit: Up to 7.5% income tax credit for eligible businesses
- Technology Development Loans through WEDC and local partners
- Main Street Bounceback Grants: Up to $10,000 for businesses moving into vacant properties (2025 funding pending)
Your Next Steps: Securing SBA Financing in Wisconsin
SBA loans remain Wisconsin’s best option for affordable and flexible business financing in 2025. Whether you need working capital, want to acquire another company, purchase property, or simply launch your entrepreneurial dream, SBA-backed lenders across the state can help make it happen. Connect with your local SBA office, leverage SCORE/SBDC support, and reach out to a preferred lender to get your application process underway today.
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