The SBA Backed $100 Billion in Capital Despite a 43-Day Shutdown — Here's What Grew

The Small Business Administration says it delivered $100 billion in capital and assistance to small businesses in fiscal year 2026, even though a 43-day federal shutdown halted its lending for nearly two months. The agency's November 2 announcement includes a detailed breakdown of who got loans, which new programs took off, and how much the shutdown cost. If you are planning to borrow in the coming year, the details are worth a close read.

The Headline Numbers

According to SBA News Release 26-113, the agency's FY2026 totals include:

• $100 billion in total capital and assistance delivered.
• 62,205 loans guaranteed under the 7(a) and 504 programs, totaling $39.5 billion — the third-highest lending volume in agency history.
• A record $60 billion in combined private capital and SBA leverage in the SBIC (Small Business Investment Company) portfolio.
• $192 million in disaster loans disbursed.
• $419 million obligated for counseling, training, and contracting services.

It is worth keeping in mind that these are the agency's own figures, and the release also includes SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler's political characterizations of administration policy. Treat the numbers as the SBA's reported results rather than an independent audit.

7(a) vs. 504: Where the Money Went

The two flagship programs split like this:

• 7(a) loans: 56,130 approved, totaling $32.4 billion. These are the flexible, general-purpose loans used for working capital, equipment, and business purchases.
• 504 loans: 6,075 approved, totaling $7.1 billion. These are used mainly for major fixed assets such as real estate and heavy equipment.

The SBA says that works out to about 1,350 small business loans per week. Other slices of the portfolio:

• More than 9,700 startups supported, totaling $6.5 billion.
• Construction and manufacturing: $7 billion through 11,790 loans.
• Rural businesses: 10,314 loans totaling $6.5 billion.
• Strongest sectors: accommodation, retail trade, health care, construction, and manufacturing.

If you are a first-time borrower, the startup figure matters: nearly 10,000 new businesses got SBA-backed financing in a year with a two-month interruption.

The New Programs That Gained Traction

The release highlights three newer tools. They are small compared with the overall total, but they signal where the agency wants lending to go.

• 90% Made in America Guarantee: 149 loans, nearly $300 million.
• 90% Grocery Guarantee: 79 loans, $145 million.
• Manufacturers' Access to Revolving Credit (MARC): 59 loans, $54 million.

The 90% guarantees mean the government covers a larger share of the lender's risk than on a standard loan, which can make a bank more willing to approve borrowers it might otherwise decline. If you are a domestic manufacturer or a grocer, ask your lender specifically about these programs by name. Lenders do not always volunteer them.

What the Shutdown Cost

The 43-day federal shutdown was not painless. By the SBA's own estimate, it could not guarantee about $170 million in loans per business day, which adds up to roughly $5 billion in financing that could otherwise have been approved in FY26. That is a reminder that SBA loans depend on government funding. Our earlier coverage noted that SBA lending is currently funded through December 11, so another lapse is not impossible. If you are planning to apply, do not wait until the last minute.

Beyond Loans: Disaster Aid and Investment

The SBA also approved 5,879 disaster loans totaling $272 million and disbursed 5,371 loans totaling $192 million. Major responses cited included Super Typhoon Sinlaku in the Northern Mariana Islands and severe winter storms in Mississippi and Tennessee.

On the investment side, the agency approved 46 new SBIC licenses, expected to support more than $12 billion in investment, and issued 35 "Green Light" letters expected to generate about $8 billion. SBICs are privately managed funds that invest in small businesses, so a growing pool can matter for owners seeking equity or mezzanine capital instead of a traditional loan.

The agency also cited more than 500,000 new business formations in nearly every month of 2026, and ten straight months of expansion in key sectors of the PMI Manufacturing Index.

What Owners Should Do With This Information

1. Match your need to the right loan

Use 7(a) for flexible needs like working capital or buying a business, and consider 504 for real estate or major equipment. Our SBA loan guide explains eligibility, documents, and how to approach lenders.

2. Get your paperwork in order before you apply

Lenders will want a clear business structure, a tax ID, and clean financials. If you have not formalized things yet, read about forming an LLC, getting an EIN, and opening a business bank account. A current profit and loss statement is nearly always required.

3. Ask about the 90% guarantee programs

If you manufacture in the U.S. or run a grocery business, ask your lender whether the 90% Made in America or Grocery Guarantee fits. Manufacturers should also ask about MARC, which targets working-capital lines.

4. Apply early

The shutdown showed that timing can matter. Government funding currently runs through December 11, so if you need an SBA-backed loan, start the process now and confirm with your lender what happens if funding lapses mid-application.

5. Check other eligibility rules

SBA lending rules have been tightening in several areas this year, including ownership and borrower-status requirements. Review current requirements with your lender before you pay for appraisals or other upfront costs.

The Bottom Line

The SBA says it moved $100 billion into small business hands in FY26, including 62,205 7(a) and 504 loans worth $39.5 billion, despite losing nearly two months to a shutdown. For owners, the useful takeaways are practical: loan money is flowing, newer 90% guarantee programs exist for manufacturers and grocers, and funding gaps can freeze approvals. Prepare your documents, pick the right program, and apply before the next deadline rather than after it.

Source: SBA News Release 26-113, "SBA Fuels Main Street Growth with $100 Billion Delivered in FY26," published November 2, 2026. Figures are the agency's reported results.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash