SBA Preparation
SBA Loan Preparation and Financing Support
We prepare the plan, the projections and the package that SBA participating lenders need to underwrite your request.
The short answer
SBA loans are made by participating lenders under programs guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration — the SBA itself does not lend to most borrowers directly. Optimum Capital Services provides SBA loan preparation: assessing program fit across 7(a), 504 and Microloan, building the business plan and projections, assembling the documentation, and supporting submission. We are not the SBA and we do not approve loans.
Reviewed by Joe Maldonado, OCS founder and former commercial banker with more than 20 years of commercial transaction experience.
Program fit first
7(a), 504 and Microloan serve different purposes. Choosing wrong costs weeks.
Lender-ready documentation
SBA packages are document-intensive. We organize the checklist before submission.
Plan and projections
Most SBA requests require a written plan and 3-year projections with assumptions.
Bilingual support
We work with SBA applicants in English and Spanish across Puerto Rico and the mainland.
The three programs we most often prepare for
- SBA 7(a): the most flexible program — working capital, equipment, acquisitions, refinancing and some real estate
- SBA 504: long-term, fixed-asset financing for owner-occupied real estate and heavy equipment
- SBA Microloan: smaller amounts for startups and small operators, delivered through nonprofit intermediaries
What SBA lenders generally evaluate
- Repayment ability from business cash flow, historical or projected
- Owner credit history and personal financial condition
- Equity injection and the borrower's stake in the outcome
- Collateral available, though collateral shortfall alone is not always disqualifying
- Management experience relevant to the business
- Eligibility under SBA size, use-of-proceeds and business-type rules
Typical documentation
- Business plan and 3-year financial projections with assumptions
- Business and personal tax returns
- Interim financial statements (P&L and balance sheet)
- Personal financial statement and résumé for each owner
- Debt schedule, business licenses and entity documents
- Purchase agreements, leases or quotes supporting the use of funds
How OCS works an SBA engagement
We start with an assessment of program fit and readiness. If the request is not viable as described, we say so early. If it is, we build the plan and projections, assemble the checklist, and work with you through lender questions.
Joe Maldonado's background in commercial banking informs how the package is built — the goal is to answer underwriting questions before they are asked.
Related pages
OCS provides SBA loan preparation and submission support. We are not the U.S. Small Business Administration and we do not approve loans. SBA program eligibility, terms and approval are determined by participating lenders and the SBA.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Start with a Funding Assessment
Share your business situation and we will walk you through which capital options are realistic, what documentation lenders will expect, and how to prepare a stronger submission.
OCS is an advisory firm. Financing is subject to third-party lender approval and program eligibility.