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Best large business loans from $500,000 to $5 million in 2026
The best large business loans are SBA 7(a) loans, which go up to $5 million, SBA 504 loans for real estate and major equipment, and conventional bank or commercial real estate loans. Asset-based lines provide large revolving credit to companies with substantial receivables and inventory. Loans of this size take weeks to months and require full financial documentation.
By the WithFunded team · Published November 11, 2026 · Rates as of November 2026
The short list
- Best for up to $5 million, general purpose
- SBA 7(a) loan
- Best for real estate and heavy equipment
- SBA 504 loan
- Best for property beyond SBA limits
- Commercial real estate loan
- Best for large revolving working capital
- Asset-based line of credit
- Best for established, profitable companies
- Bank term loan
The 5 best options, ranked
1. SBA 7(a) loan Best for up to $5 million, general purpose
A 7(a) loan can fund an acquisition, expansion, or refinance at a capped rate. Above $350,000 the maximum rate is prime plus 3%, currently 10.00%.
Watch for: Heavy documentation, and the timeline rules it out for anything urgent. SBA loan guide →
2. SBA 504 loan Best for real estate and heavy equipment
504 projects can be large, with the CDC portion at a fixed below-market rate on terms up to 25 years.
Watch for: Only for fixed assets. It cannot fund payroll, inventory, or other working capital. SBA loan guide →
3. Commercial real estate loan Best for property beyond SBA limits
Conventional commercial mortgages finance larger and investor-owned properties against the property's income.
Watch for: Appraisal, environmental review, and closing add both time and cost. Commercial real estate guide →
4. Asset-based line of credit Best for large revolving working capital
A company with millions in receivables and inventory can borrow against them, with a limit that grows as the business does.
Watch for: Expect regular reporting on receivables and inventory, and a limit that moves with them. Business line of credit guide →
5. Bank term loan Best for established, profitable companies
A strong borrower may get conventional bank financing at rates below the SBA cap and without a guaranty fee.
Watch for: The slowest route outside SBA and the hardest to qualify for. Term loan guide →
Side-by-side comparison
| Option | Verdict | Cost basis | Funding speed | Qualifies on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) loan | Best for up to $5 million, general purpose | Capped at 10.00%–13.50% by loan size (prime plus the SBA maximum spread) | Weeks to months | Generally stronger credit and two or more years in business |
| SBA 504 loan | Best for real estate and heavy equipment | CDC portion roughly 6.6% on 10 to 25 year terms | Weeks to months | Owner-occupied real estate or major equipment, plus a down payment |
| Commercial real estate loan | Best for property beyond SBA limits | Conventional pricing varies by property and borrower; long amortization | Weeks to months | A stronger profile and a down payment; the property is the collateral |
| Asset-based line of credit | Best for large revolving working capital | Interest on what you draw; the limit follows a borrowing base of receivables and inventory | Weeks to set up | The quality of your receivables and inventory |
| Bank term loan | Best for established, profitable companies | About 7% median on new small-business term loans (Kansas City Fed, Q4 2025) | Weeks | Strong credit, established financials, often collateral |
What it costs
SBA 7(a) rates are capped at prime plus a maximum spread that shrinks as the loan grows. At the current 7.00% prime rate, these are the highest payments a lender could charge on a 10-year term:
| Loan amount | Maximum rate | Monthly payment at the maximum |
|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | 10.00% | $6,608 |
| $1,000,000 | 10.00% | $13,215 |
| $2,500,000 | 10.00% | $33,038 |
| $5,000,000 | 10.00% | $66,075 |
Payments at the SBA maximum variable rate for each size tier. Many borrowers qualify below the maximum. Source for rate caps: U.S. Small Business Administration. WithFunded calculation.
SBA 7(a) rates are capped at prime plus a maximum spread that shrinks as the loan grows. At the current 7.00% prime rate, these are the highest payments a lender could charge on a 25-year term:
| Loan amount | Maximum rate | Monthly payment at the maximum |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | 10.00% | $9,087 |
| $2,500,000 | 10.00% | $22,718 |
| $5,000,000 | 10.00% | $45,435 |
Payments at the SBA maximum variable rate for each size tier. Many borrowers qualify below the maximum. Source for rate caps: U.S. Small Business Administration. WithFunded calculation.
What lenders look at
- Three years of business tax returns and current financial statements.
- Debt service coverage: cash flow comfortably above the proposed payments.
- Collateral, the owner's equity in the project, and management experience.
Mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating the timeline. Start months before you need the money.
- Taking a large short-term advance because the bank process is slow. On large amounts the cost difference is enormous.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest SBA loan?
- SBA 7(a) loans go up to $5 million. SBA 504 projects can be larger in total because the bank portion sits alongside the CDC portion.
- How long does a $1 million business loan take?
- Typically several weeks to a few months, covering financial review, appraisals where property is involved, and closing.
- What does a $1 million SBA loan cost per month?
- At the current maximum rate for that size, about $13,215 a month on a 10-year term or $9,087 on a 25-year real estate term. Many borrowers pay less.
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How we ranked these options
This guide ranks types of financing, not individual lenders. Each option is ordered by how well it fits the need described on this page, judged on four things in this order: whether the structure matches how the money will be used and repaid, total cost, funding speed, and how hard it is to qualify. Cost figures are WithFunded calculations from published rate inputs as of November 2026: the bank prime loan rate from the Federal Reserve, the SBA maximum-rate schedule, and Federal Reserve survey data. The method follows our 2026 SMB Financing Cost Report, whose own figures use June 2026 rates.
WithFunded is a financing marketplace, not a lender. Our 2-minute form suggests a product type from the families we cover, and a funding partner reviews the request. Not every structure named in this guide is available through WithFunded: options such as SBA microloans, USDA farm loans, bank loans, and seller financing are ones you would pursue directly with the provider. They are listed because leaving out a good fit would make the ranking less useful.
Related guides
The top-ranked option on this page is SBA 7(a) loan because it fits the most common version of this need. Your own best fit depends on your revenue, time in business, credit, and how fast you need the money.
Disclaimer. WithFunded and Big Think Capital are a financing marketplace; we are not the direct lender and do not guarantee funding, approval, rates, or terms. Everything on this page is a representative example only — not an offer or a commitment to lend, and not financial advice. Actual rates, fees, payments, and terms are set by the funding lender and depend on your business, credit, and the product. Where required by state law, the lender provides cost-of-financing disclosures before any agreement is signed.