NEXA Commercial Lending: SBA, Multi-Family & Business-Purpose Loans for Loan Officers
Direct Answer
NEXA Lending provides loan officers with access to commercial lending programs through specialized wholesale lender relationships including SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate financing, multi-family investment properties (5+ units), mixed-use properties, bridge loans, construction-to-permanent commercial financing, and business-purpose lending. Unlike retail banks where commercial lending is often siloed in a separate department that residential LOs cannot access, NEXA allows loan officers to originate both residential and commercial loans — capturing more of their referral partners' business and preventing borrowers from being sent to another lender for commercial needs.
Why Commercial Lending Matters for Your Business
For residential loan officers, commercial lending represents one of the biggest untapped revenue opportunities. Every Realtor you work with knows investors. Every business-owner borrower you help with a home purchase likely has commercial real estate needs. Every self-employed borrower who struggles to qualify for conventional financing may have a business that needs its own financing. In a retail environment, these commercial opportunities typically get referred out — to the bank's commercial department or to another lender entirely. At NEXA, you keep that business.
Commercial Lending Programs Available Through NEXA
| Program | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) | Small business acquisition, working capital, equipment | Up to $5M; government-guaranteed; flexible use of proceeds |
| SBA 504 | Owner-occupied commercial real estate, heavy equipment | Fixed-rate, long-term; 10-25 year terms; low down payment |
| Owner-Occupied CRE | Businesses buying their own building | 51%+ owner-occupied; conventional commercial terms |
| Multi-Family (5+ Units) | Apartment buildings, investment portfolios | DSCR-based underwriting; portfolio and agency execution |
| Mixed-Use | Properties with both residential and commercial space | Flexible underwriting; multiple lender options |
| Bridge Loans | Short-term financing, property transitions | 6-24 month terms; fast closing; interest-only options |
| Business-Purpose | Investment properties in LLC/corp name | Non-consumer purpose; asset-based underwriting |
Commercial vs Residential: The Cross-Sell Opportunity
The most successful NEXA loan officers treat commercial lending as a natural extension of their residential business. When a self-employed borrower applies for a conventional mortgage, that borrower's business may need its own financing — an SBA loan for expansion, a commercial mortgage for a new office, or a business line of credit. When a Realtor partner sells a home to an investor, that investor likely needs financing for future investment properties. Commercial lending at NEXA isn't a separate department — it's another tool in your toolkit.
NEXA Commercial vs Retail Bank Commercial
| Feature | NEXA Lending | Retail Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Access for Residential LOs | Full access — originate both residential and commercial | Siloed — must refer to commercial department |
| Lender Options | Multiple wholesale commercial lenders | Single institution — one credit box |
| Product Breadth | SBA, conventional CRE, bridge, business-purpose | Varies; often limited to bank's portfolio appetite |
| Compensation | Full broker commission on commercial deals | Small referral fee or salary — LO doesn't earn on referrals |
Decision Tree: Is Your Borrower's Deal a Commercial Loan?
Explore SBA, CRE, or business-purpose options
Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, DSCR, Non-QM