First Bank of the Lake Logo
First Bank of the Lake Logo
FDIC Digital Sign, using the official FDIC wordmark. This digital sign indicates the deposit institution is backed by the full faith and credit of the US government.

How-to SBA Loan Guides & Tools

Check out our in-depth loan guides and calculators

Home » SBA Loan Guides

Free resources to buy a business or franchise

Contact us to get all your questions answered and get started with the dream of business ownership.

How to Buy a Franchise

Grow your business with flexible SBA loans, expert guidance, and tailored solutions from a trusted lending partner. Use our franchise calculator to estimate costs.

Two people eating at a franchise restaurant - SBA Loan Resources

How to Buy a Franchise

Grow your business with flexible SBA loans, expert guidance, and tailored solutions from a trusted lending partner. Use our franchise calculator to estimate costs.

How to Buy a Business

Estimate your loan payments and interest easily with our business loan calculator and learn the process needed to buy, run and finance a business.

Small business owner - SBA Loan Resources

How to Buy a Business

Estimate your loan payments and interest easily with our business loan calculator and learn the process needed to buy, run and finance a business.

Want to learn more about buying a business?

How SBA Loans Work

Get answers to thirty of the most popular SBA loan questions.

How SBA 7a Loans Work

SBA 7a loans offer flexible funding for equipment, property and working capital.

How SBA 504 Loans Work

SBA 504 loans offer small businesses lower fixed-rate financing for real estate and equipment.

Get a Veterans Loans to Buy a Business

Veteran SBA loans offer tailored financing, reduced fees, and resources to support veterans.

How Business Loans Work

Buying a business offers cash flow, infrastructure, and customers but requires careful planning.

How Working Capital Loans Work

Learn how working capital loans improve cash flow, reduce risk, and support small business growth.

Business Calculators

SBA Loan Calculator

An SBA loan calculator estimates payments and interest, helping small businesses plan.

SBA 7a Loan Calculator

An SBA 7a calculator estimates payments, costs, and terms for the most popular SBA loan.

SBA 504 Loan Calculator

Use an SBA 504 loan calculator to estimate payments for real estate and large assets purchase.

Franchise Loan Calculator

Use a franchise loan calculator to estimate costs, plan financing and start a successful franchise.

Business Loan Calculator

Use a business loan calculator to estimate payments, plan finances and make decisions.

The Numbers

in Loans 2024

Largest SBA Lender^

Small Businesses Helped 2020-2024

SBA Industry Loans

We’re One of the Top SBA Business Lenders in the US

We made $600MM in SBA loans in the last year alone

Dog groomer - SBA Loan Resources
Dog groomer - SBA Loan Resources