SBA loans
Answer: SBA loans in Ann Arbor typically feature repayment terms of 10 to 25 years and down payments starting at 10 to 20 percent, making them one of the most accessible long-term financing options for established businesses and qualified startups across Washtenaw County.
The Small Business Administration guarantees a portion of each loan, which allows participating lenders to extend credit with less risk. As a licensed commercial-loan broker, Ironcrest Lending Group connects Ann Arbor businesses with SBA lenders who match your industry, credit profile, and collateral situation. We handle the SBA 7(a) application process, gather documentation, and present your file to multiple lenders so you spend less time chasing approvals and more time running your company.
Our office at 5210 S State Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 sits minutes from the State Street corridor and the Briarwood Mall area, making us easy to reach whether you operate a machine shop in Scio Township or a healthcare practice near Domino's Farms in Ann Arbor Township.
SBA loans
Answer: SBA business loans are federally guaranteed financing products administered through the Small Business Administration. The SBA itself does not lend money; instead, it backs a percentage of loans issued by approved banks and credit unions, reducing lender risk and improving approval rates for small businesses.
The most popular product is the SBA 7(a) loan, which covers working capital, equipment purchases, real estate acquisition, refinancing, and even certain business acquisitions. Loan amounts range from a few thousand dollars to five million, though most Ann Arbor deals fall between 150,000 and two million. Because the guarantee lowers lender exposure, SBA loans for small business often carry longer amortization schedules than conventional bank credit, spreading payments over decades rather than years.
Other SBA programs include the 504 loan for owner-occupied commercial real estate and the microloan program for amounts under 50,000. Ironcrest Lending Group specializes in brokering the 7(a) product because it offers the widest range of eligible uses and serves the broadest cross-section of Ann Arbor businesses.
SBA loans
Answer: SBA 7 a lender underwriting guidelines require that your business operate for profit within the United States, fall below SBA size standards, demonstrate reasonable owner equity investment, and exhaust other financing options before applying. Personal credit scores above 680 improve approval odds significantly.
The SBA defines "small" by industry. A manufacturing company in Pittsfield Township may employ up to 500 people and still qualify, while a retail shop in downtown Ann Arbor must stay under 100 employees. Most service businesses meet the threshold easily.
Lenders also evaluate time in business. Startups can access SBA loans for startup companies if owners contribute at least 10 percent equity and show relevant industry experience. A chef opening a restaurant near Kerrytown Market, for example, will find it easier to secure an SBA business startup loan if she has managed kitchens for five years and is investing personal savings alongside the loan proceeds.
Collateral matters. Real estate, equipment, and inventory can secure the loan. If your assets fall short of the loan amount, lenders may accept a shortfall but will require personal guarantees from any owner holding 20 percent or more of the business.
SBA loans
Local businesses deploy SBA financing across four main categories: real estate acquisition (buying the building that houses your Ypsilanti warehouse or Dexter storefront), equipment purchases (CNC machines, delivery vans, dental chairs), working capital (inventory for the seasonal rush, payroll during a build-out), and refinancing existing debt when terms or rates have become unmanageable.
One Ann Arbor scenario we see often involves a growing engineering consultancy in Webster Township that leases office space but wants to purchase a small commercial condo near US-23. The owners have strong revenue but limited liquid cash. An SBA 7(a) loan lets them buy the property with 10 percent down, lock in a 25-year amortization, and stabilize their occupancy cost while their lease rates climb year over year.
How it works
Answer: Applying for SBA loans for small business through our brokerage begins with a 20-minute consultation at our Ann Arbor office or by phone at (734) 275-4683. We review your business financials, credit profile, and funding goal, then identify which SBA lenders in our network offer the best fit.
We prepare your loan package: three years of business tax returns, personal tax returns for all owners, year-to-date profit-and-loss statement, balance sheet, business debt schedule, and a brief narrative explaining use of proceeds. If you are seeking a startup loan SBA product, we also compile your business plan, cash-flow projections, and resume.
Once the package is complete, we submit it to multiple SBA business lenders simultaneously. This parallel approach saves weeks compared to applying to banks one at a time. We track each submission, answer lender questions, and negotiate terms. After you accept an offer, we coordinate the closing, ensuring all SBA and lender requirements are satisfied. The entire process typically takes 45 to 90 days from application to funding, though timelines vary by lender workload and deal complexity.
Because Ironcrest Lending Group operates as a broker, you gain access to a wider panel of SBA lenders than any single bank relationship provides. We also offer alternative programs such as equipment financing, working capital, and commercial real estate loans if the SBA route proves too slow or restrictive for your situation.
SBA loans
The SBA publishes maximum allowable fees, but lenders still vary in how they structure origination charges, packaging fees, and third-party costs. Some banks bundle every expense into the loan amount; others require upfront payment. As your broker, we itemize each cost before you sign, compare fee schedules across lenders, and flag any charge that exceeds SBA guidelines. You will know the all-in cost of your capital before you commit, not after closing documents arrive.
Related programs
Serving the Ann Arbor area
We know which lenders fund which kinds of Ann Arbor businesses, and we position your file where it fits.
One local broker, many lenders, and no cost to apply.
Common questions
Talk to a local advisor and get matched to the right program, no obligation.
