Your SBA Loan Starts Here
Commercial Lending Group of Florida is a licensed SBA lender in Jacksonville serving small business owners across Orlando, Tampa, and statewide Florida, with over 21 years of experience in SBA lending.
The SBA loan process moves through four defined stages: pre-qualification, loan matching, application preparation, and approval through funding. We manage each stage with the borrower, from reviewing financials and matching the right program to preparing a clean application and coordinating lender review through to closing. Most funded loans close within 60 to 90 days of pre-qualification.
Loan Pre-Qualification Protects Your Time and Credit
Most Florida small business owners don't know whether they qualify for an SBA loan before they apply. That uncertainty has a real cost: wasted weeks, unnecessary credit inquiries, and a rejection on the wrong product that makes the next application harder. Pre-qualification is the stage that eliminates those risks before a single document gets submitted.
At Commercial Lending Group of Florida, pre-qualification starts with our team reviewing four things: your business revenue, time in business, intended use of funds, and your credit profile. With 21 years in SBA lending, we identify which loan program fits before anything formal is touched. Nothing is submitted, no credit is pulled without your knowledge, and no lender sees your file until you're ready. That's a different experience from walking into a bank and hoping their one product happens to fit your situation.
The Right Loan Match Changes Everything
When you apply for an SBA loan through a single bank, the bank chooses the product that works for them, not necessarily the one that works best for your business. That's not a criticism; it's just how institutional lending works. A bank has one set of criteria, one product shelf, and one approval committee. If you don't fit their box, the answer is no.
As an independent SBA broker, Commercial Lending Group of Florida doesn't work for any single lender. We work for you. At the loan matching stage, we assess your financials, your loan purpose, and your timeline, then match your application to the SBA-approved lenders whose criteria and appetite align with your profile. That access to multiple lenders, not one, is what makes the difference between an approval and another rejection.
For businesses that need working capital, equipment financing, or real estate up to $5 million, the SBA 7(a) loan is usually the right fit. For long-term fixed-rate commercial real estate or major equipment, the SBA 504 program is often the stronger option. We explain both clearly before anything moves forward.
A Clean Application Closes Faster
Once your loan program and target lenders are identified, the real work begins. Application preparation covers your business financial statements (typically two to three years of tax returns and current financials), a personal financial statement, the business plan or use-of-funds narrative, and any supporting documentation the SBA requires for your specific loan type. Most borrowers find this stage overwhelming, particularly the narrative elements, which are often what separates approved applications from declined ones.
We have reviewed and prepared SBA loan applications for over 21 years. We know what SBA reviewers flag, what lenders need before they'll move an application forward, and what a weak narrative looks like before it causes a delay. At Commercial Lending Group of Florida, we work through every document with you, address gaps before submission, and make sure the application that goes to the lender is the strongest version of your case, not a first draft. For guidance before you reach this stage, visit our loan consulting page.
Approval Through Funding Has Four Clear Steps
Once your application is submitted, the process moves into lender and SBA review. Here's what each stage means for your planning and what you can expect from us at each step.
1. Lender Review: The lender's credit team reviews your application against their underwriting criteria. We stay in contact with the lender throughout this stage to answer questions and resolve any information requests quickly. Delays at this point are almost always caused by missing documents, and we work to prevent them.
2. SBA Review and Authorization: Once the lender approves, the application goes to the SBA for authorization. The SBA issues a loan authorization document that specifies the final terms. This stage typically takes one to three weeks depending on the SBA's current processing volume.
3. Closing: Closing involves executing the loan documents, establishing the lender's security interest, and satisfying any closing conditions. Your attorney may be involved depending on the transaction type. We coordinate with all parties to keep this stage moving.
4. Disbursement: Once closing is complete, funds are disbursed to you or directly to the seller or vendor depending on the loan purpose. For most SBA 7(a) loans, the full process from pre-qualification to disbursement runs 60 to 90 days for well-prepared applications.
Knowing the stages doesn't make the process automatic. Preparation quality at the front end is what keeps everything on schedule at the back end. Business owners who arrive at pre-qualification with organized financials and a clear use of funds consistently reach closing faster than those who start unprepared. That's why the process starts with a conversation, not a document request.
Common Questions About the SBA Loan Process
How long does the SBA loan process take from start to funding?
Most well-prepared SBA loan applications fund within 60 to 90 days of pre-qualification. The timeline depends on how quickly documents are gathered, how responsive the lender is during underwriting, and SBA processing volume at the time of submission. Applications with complete financials and a clear use-of-funds narrative consistently move faster.
Does pre-qualification affect my credit score?
Pre-qualification with Commercial Lending Group of Florida does not trigger a hard credit inquiry. Ed Randall reviews your business profile and self-reported credit information at this stage. A formal credit pull only happens when a lender is ready to underwrite, and only with your explicit authorization before anything is submitted.
What can slow down an SBA loan application?
The most common delays are incomplete financial documents, inconsistencies between tax returns and bank statements, and a vague or underdeveloped use-of-funds narrative. Lender-side capacity and SBA processing volume also affect timelines. Working with an experienced SBA broker helps catch document gaps before they reach the lender's desk.
Do I need a business plan to apply for an SBA loan?
Not always. It depends on the loan type and lender. Many SBA 7(a) lenders require a use-of-funds narrative rather than a full business plan. For startup applicants or larger loan amounts, a more complete business plan strengthens the application. Ed Randall advises on exactly what each lender needs before you invest time preparing it.
Can I apply for an SBA loan if I've been turned down by a bank before?
Yes. A previous bank decline does not disqualify you from SBA financing. Banks decline applications for many reasons unrelated to SBA eligibility: product fit, internal credit appetite, and loan size are common ones. As an independent SBA broker, we match your profile to lenders whose criteria align with your situation, not the bank that already said no.
The Process Starts With One Conversation
No Broker Pressure. No Sales Pitch. Just Answers.
Call (904) 239-7534 or submit the form, and we will follow up directly. No sales pitch, no pressure, just a straight answer about where you stand and what the right next step looks like for your business.
