SBA Opens After End of Longest Government Shutdown
- Record 43-day shutdown is over; SBA is open and funded through Jan 30, 2026.
- New SBA loans are being approved, but a backlog is building, especially with non-Preferred lenders.
- FastWaySBA clients are already staged for day-one submission, using Preferred lenders to move files and fund faster.
The SBA is back. Preferred lenders are moving now
The longest ever federal government shutdown (43 days) is over. Last night the President signed legislation reopening the federal government and funding the Small Business Administration (SBA) through January 30, 2026. The SBA is open, loan authorizations have resumed, and we are actively pushing funding for our clients.
Just during the record 43-day shutdown, $5 billion in SBA funds were blocked from reaching the small-business economy.
“Over the last 43 days, the shutdown blocked $5 billion in SBA-guaranteed capital that fuels hiring, investment, and expansion – forcing more than 10,000 small business owners into the difficult position of cutting hours, laying off workers, and shelving expansion plans.” – SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler.
Source: Shutdown Blocks SBA from Delivering $5 Billion to Small Businesses Amid Trump Economic Comeback
The SBA is approving new loans
Regular operations have resumed at the SBA, including loan authorizations. Completed loan packages can now be submitted for approval. Contact the FastWaySBA origination team to discuss current processing times and next steps for your deals.
FastWaySBA is hitting the ground running
Because we kept packaging and underwriting through the shutdown, our borrowers’ files were staged for day-one SBA submission. And because FastWaySBA works exclusively with Preferred SBA lenders, our partner banks can pull loan numbers quickly and fund without getting stuck in the backlog that non-preferred lenders are now facing.
SBA loans are notorious for being a lengthy process, but with FastWaySBA, we are able to approve and fund within 2-3 weeks for SBA loans and 2-3 days for Conventional Term loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are SBA loan approvals actually happening now?
Yes. SBA operations have resumed and new loan approvals are being issued again.
Will the SBA be backlogged?
Yes. Because there was no application queue like 2019, SBA applications are flooding in at an unprecedented rate. Non-preferred lenders will feel the backlog first, which is exactly why we lean on Preferred SBA lenders to keep deals moving.
How long will funding be available under this bill?
Until Jan 30, 2026 (subject to Congress) CBS News. This means that now more than ever is the time to apply with FastWaySBA and get ahead of the rush.
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