The Made in America loan guarantee announced March 31, 2026 extends the 90% International Trade Loan (ITL) guarantee to eligible NAICS 31–33 manufacturers from May 1. That does not turn MARC into a 90%-guaranteed loan. They are different 7(a) delivery methods with different purposes. SBA announcement.
| Question | MARC | Made in America ITL |
|---|---|---|
| Primary need | Inventory, receivables, payroll and working capital | Eligible manufacturing expansion and related financing under ITL rules |
| Manufacturer maximum | Up to $5 million | Up to $5 million |
| SBA guarantee | 85% at $150,000 or less; 75% above | 90% for eligible loans |
| Fixed assets | Separate appropriate financing required | Discuss eligible plant/equipment uses with an ITL lender |
| Repayment structure | See current rules and October revolving transition | Term financing matched to eligible uses and program requirements |
Two illustrative projects
A contract fabricator can produce an order with its existing machines but must pay for metal and labor two months before collecting. A working-capital facility is the first structure to examine. Request enough to cover the peak cash gap, supported by purchase orders, production timing and customer payment history.
A manufacturer needs a new production line and an expanded facility to increase domestic output. Compare ITL with standard 7(a) and 504 financing. Identify equipment cost, installation, property cost, required equity and ramp-up cash separately so each use goes into an eligible facility.
What the guarantee does—and does not—mean
The guarantee protects the lender subject to SBA conditions. The borrower still owes the full loan and must meet underwriting, collateral and guarantee requirements. A 90% SBA guarantee is not a promise of 10% down, automatic approval, a grant or debt forgiveness. Ask for a written repayment and fee comparison.
Avoid double-counting SBA capacity
MARC and ITL are both within 7(a). Do not add a separate $5 million allowance for every product name. Existing loans and affiliates affect capacity. The 7(a)/504 stacking guide explains the separate 504 limit introduced by the July coordination policy.
Use our manufacturing program guide for the wider comparison, including WCP. MARC details come from the current appendix; its October changes should be reviewed separately.
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