California Small Business Loan Guaranty Program

searcher profile

February 05, 2026

by a searcher from University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business in San Diego, CA, USA

Has anyone here ever used the California Small Business Loan Guaranty Program for a business acquisition in California? If so, I'd love to chat. Also, I am looking to chat with people that know more about this program. Thank you! Ps - I've seen some posts on SearchFunder regarding CA SMLGP but most of those posts are fairly old so any new info could be help to the community
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commentor profile
Reply by a lender
from University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California, USA
Hi Ralph - We are the largest sba loan broker for business acquisitions in the country but we have done a handful of cal state loans. We are a 100% free service to you, the borrower. We get paid by the lender. We are currently working with a major California bank that is looking to grow their Cal State program. Everything is the same as doing an SBA alone, except there are less restrictions on citizenship, and green card, and immigration status. SBA loans tend to be cheaper with rates.
commentor profile
Reply by a searcher
from The University of Chicago in California, USA
I talked to a banker for this program a few weeks ago. They are more flexible in some areas, but were asking for more personal collateral than SBA would require. Would love to learn if that is systemic or just this case.
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