| Myth: | It takes four to six months to get a SBA Loan processed. |
| Fact: | Completed loan applications from banks average 10 working days. |
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| Myth: | SBA only provides free business counseling to business people with SBA loans. |
| Fact: | SBA provides free business counseling to all business people. |
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| Myth: | SBA provides no assistance in helping a business get federal contracts from the government. |
| Fact: | SBA has procurement assistance at Small Business Development Centers across the country. |
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| Myth: | A business person can get cheaper interest rates for business loans from SBA. |
| Fact: | SBA does not provide lower interest rates for small business people. Interest rates are negotiable with the bank, but are limited to 2.25% above the prime rate in the Wall Street Journal for loans with maturities of less than 7 years, and limited 2.75% with maturities of 7 years or more. |
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| Myth: | Small loans are not available through SBA. |
| Fact: | SBA provides an incentive to banks to make loans under $50,000 by reducing their guarantee fee by half. |
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| Myth: | SBA has no specialized programs to assist minority business persons. |
| Fact: | SBA's 8(a) and 7(j) programs provide specialized management and technical assistance to minorities. |
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| Myth: | There are few SBA loan programs. |
| Fact: | SBA finance programs provide a wide spectrum of opportunities including Guaranteed Loan, Handicapped Assistance, Contract Loan, Veterans Loan, Exported Revolving LOC, and Small Business ($50,000 and less). |
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| Myth: | SBA has no programs to assist veterans. |
| Fact: | SBA gives veterans priority when their loan application arrives in the office or when they need business counseling to start a small business. |
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| Myth: | SBA has grants to start or expand a small business. |
| Fact: | SBA has NO grant program to start or expand a small business. |
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| Myth: | Contractors receive no assistance from SBA. |
| Fact: | SBA's Surety Bond Guarantee Program assists contractors with their Bid Bond, Performance Bond, and Payment Bond. |
