3A Lending Blog
Expert SBA financing guides by industry. Click into your vertical for complete resources, or browse all articles below.
Aquaculture
Fish farms, shellfish, shrimp, RAS systems, and aquaponic facilities
7 articles →Medical
Physician practices, specialty medicine, imaging centers, and ASCs
6 articles →Dental
Practice acquisitions, de novo offices, CBCT/CAD-CAM, and office buildings
7 articles →Veterinary
Vet practice acquisitions, clinic builds, diagnostic equipment, and real estate
6 articles →SBA Loans for Aquaculture Businesses — Complete 2026 Guide
Aquaculture operations — fish farms, shellfish, shrimp, tilapia, salmon — qualify for SBA 7(a) and 504 loans up to $5.5M. Learn rates, eligibility, collateral, and how 3A Lending gets you pre-approved in 24 hours.
6 min read
May 25, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Finance a Fish Farm: SBA vs. USDA vs. Commercial Loans
Fish farm financing options compared: SBA 7(a), SBA 504, USDA FSA loans, and conventional commercial lending. Which fits your operation, timeline, and budget?
May 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Aquaculture Equipment Financing: What Lenders Look For
RAS systems, aerators, processing equipment, tanks — how SBA lenders value and finance aquaculture equipment in 2026. What gets approved, what gets discounted, and how to structure your deal.
SBA Loans for Medical Practices — Complete 2026 Guide
Physicians, specialists, and healthcare operators can access SBA 7(a) and 504 loans up to $5.5M for practice acquisitions, medical equipment, real estate, and working capital. 24-hour pre-approval from 3A Lending.
6 min read
May 25, 2026 · 4 min read
24-Hour Pre-Approval for Medical Practice SBA Loans — How 3A Lending Works
Physicians and healthcare operators get a medical practice SBA loan pre-approval in 24 hours from 3A Lending. Here's the process, what you need, and what happens next.
May 25, 2026 · 4 min read
SBA Loans for Medical Equipment: What Qualifies and How to Apply
MRI machines, CT scanners, surgical robots, and diagnostic equipment all qualify for SBA financing. Here's how to structure a medical equipment loan and what lenders evaluate.
SBA Loans for Dental Practices — Complete 2026 Guide
Dentists use SBA 7(a) and 504 loans to acquire practices, finance equipment, purchase office buildings, and start de novo offices. 3A Lending specializes in dental SBA financing — 24-hour pre-approval.
5 min read
May 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Dental Practice Acquisition: SBA 7(a) Loan Guide
Step-by-step guide to financing a dental practice acquisition with SBA 7(a). Valuation, deal structure, lender requirements, and what makes dental acquisitions close or fall apart.
May 25, 2026 · 4 min read
Dental Equipment Financing: Chairs, CBCT, CAD/CAM, and More
New office setup or equipment upgrade? SBA 7(a) covers dental chairs, CBCT, digital X-ray, CAD/CAM, and laser systems. Here's how dental equipment loans work and what lenders need.
SBA Loans for Veterinary Practices — Complete 2026 Guide
Veterinarians use SBA 7(a) and 504 loans to buy practices, finance equipment, purchase clinics, and start de novo hospitals. 3A Lending specializes in veterinary SBA financing — 24-hour pre-approval.
5 min read
May 25, 2026 · 4 min read
24-Hour Pre-Approval for Veterinary Practice SBA Loans — 3A Lending
Veterinarians get SBA loan pre-approvals in 24 hours from 3A Lending. Here's the process, what we evaluate for vet practices specifically, and how to go from pre-approval to closing.
May 25, 2026 · 4 min read
Veterinary Practice Acquisition: SBA 7(a) Loan Guide
Buying a veterinary practice with SBA 7(a) — how valuations work, what lenders evaluate, how to structure the deal, and what makes vet acquisitions succeed or fall apart.
General
May 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Specialty Veterinary Practices: Emergency, Equine, and Exotic Animal SBA Loans
Emergency and critical care hospitals, equine practices, and exotic animal clinics have unique SBA financing needs. Here's how specialty vet practices access SBA 7(a) and 504 funding.
May 25, 2026 · 4 min read
SBA Loans for Specialty Medical Practices: Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Orthopedics
High-procedure specialty practices command premium valuations and qualify for larger SBA loans. Here's how ophthalmology, dermatology, orthopedic, and gastroenterology practices access SBA financing.
April 28, 2026 · 13 min read
SBA Loan Rates: Current 504 & 7(a) Rates and Payment Examples
Current SBA loan rates: 504 loans start at 6.5% APR, 7(a) loans at 7.0% APR. Learn how rates are set, real payment examples, and when to refinance for savings.
April 28, 2026 · 13 min read
SBA Loan Rates 2026: 504 vs 7(a) Costs & Refinancing Guide
SBA 504 loans start at 6.5% APR while SBA 7(a) loans start at 7.0% APR in 2026. Learn how rates are set, real payment examples, and smart refinancing strategies.
April 10, 2026 · 19 min read
SBA 7(a) Loan Definition: Complete Guide to Costs, Terms & Approval
An SBA 7(a) loan is the government's most versatile small business financing program, offering up to $5M with 90% guarantees and 25-year terms. Learn qualification requirements and costs.
April 6, 2026 · 19 min read
SBA 504 Loan Manufacturing Expansion: Complete 2026 Guide
SBA 504 loans for manufacturing expansion offer fixed rates starting at 6.5% APR with up to $5.5M funding. Learn eligibility requirements, approval timelines, and when 504 beats traditional financing.
What Are SBA Loans and How Do They Work?
SBA loans are government-backed financing programs designed to help small businesses access capital at competitive rates. The Small Business Administration doesn't lend directly — instead, it guarantees a portion of the loan made by approved lenders, reducing risk and enabling better terms. The two most popular programs are the SBA 504 (for commercial real estate and heavy equipment, with rates as low as 5.85%) and the SBA 7(a) (the most versatile program, covering working capital, acquisitions, and more). 3A Lending works with multiple CDC partners and SBA preferred lenders to find the best fit for your business.
How Much Down Payment Do I Need for an SBA Loan?
For SBA 504 loans, the standard down payment is just 10% of the total project cost — significantly less than conventional commercial loans which typically require 20-25%. The down payment increases to 15% if you're a startup (less than 2 years operating) or purchasing a special-purpose property, and 20% if both conditions apply. For SBA 7(a) loans used in business acquisitions, the down payment is also typically 10%.