Find the Right
SBA Lender
Compare SBA 7(a) lenders by real loan volume, preferred lender status, and industries served. Data sourced directly from SBA public records.
Top SBA Lenders by Volume
Ranked by total 7(a) loans approved since 2020
| # | Lender | Loans |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank OH · $8.0B | 36,214 |
| 2 | TD Bank, National Association DE · $2.4B | 16,685 |
| 3 | U.S. Bank, National Association OH · $4.0B | 16,217 |
| 4 | Wells Fargo Bank National Association SD · $3.2B | 11,784 |
| 5 | Northeast Bank ME · $1.8B | 11,678 |
| 6 | Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company NY · $1.4B | 10,860 |
| 7 | Newtek Bank, National Association FL · $4.9B | 10,594 |
| 8 | Readycap Lending, LLC NJ · $4.1B | 9,561 |
| 9 | BayFirst National Bank FL · $1.8B | 9,544 |
| 10 | Live Oak Banking Company NC · $12.6B | 9,065 |
Browse SBA Lenders by State
Find SBA-approved lenders in your state with real loan volume data
What is an SBA 7(a) Loan?
The SBA 7(a) loan program is the Small Business Administration's primary program for providing financial assistance to small businesses. Loans are partially guaranteed by the federal government, making it easier to qualify.
- Up to $5 million — Maximum loan amount
- 75–85% guaranteed — SBA guarantee reduces lender risk
- Up to 25 years — For real estate purchases
- Faster approvals — With SBA Preferred Lenders
⭐ What is a Preferred Lender?
SBA Preferred Lenders have delegated authority to approve SBA loans without prior SBA review — meaning faster approvals and less paperwork for borrowers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SBA 7(a) loans and finding the right lender
What is an SBA 7(a) loan?
An SBA 7(a) loan is the Small Business Administration's primary lending program. Loans are partially guaranteed by the federal government (75–85%), which reduces risk for lenders and makes it easier for small businesses to qualify. Maximum loan amount is $5 million, with terms up to 10 years for working capital and up to 25 years for real estate.
What is an SBA Preferred Lender?
SBA Preferred Lenders (PLP) have delegated authority to approve SBA loans without prior SBA review. This means faster approvals — typically days instead of weeks — and less paperwork for borrowers. Preferred Lenders process the highest volume of SBA loans and have a proven track record with the SBA.
How do I find an SBA lender near me?
Use our search tool to filter SBA-approved lenders by state, city, preferred lender status, and loan volume. Every lender profile shows real loan data sourced from SBA FOIA public records, so you can compare lenders by actual activity — not just self-reported claims.
What credit score do I need for an SBA 7(a) loan?
Most SBA lenders look for a minimum FICO SBSS score of 155 (the SBA's own pre-screening threshold) and a personal credit score of 640 or higher. However, requirements vary by lender and loan size. Preferred Lenders often have more flexible underwriting. You can check your FICO SBSS score at Nav.com before applying.
How long does SBA loan approval take?
With an SBA Preferred Lender, approval can take as little as 7–10 business days. Non-preferred lenders require SBA review, which adds 2–4 weeks. SBA Express loans (up to $500K) have a 36-hour SBA turnaround. Overall funding typically takes 30–90 days from application to funding.
Where does SBA Lender Hub's data come from?
All lender data is sourced from SBA FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) public records — the same database the government uses. This includes every SBA 7(a) loan approved since 2020: lender name, location, loan count, total volume, and preferred lender status. No paid placements affect rankings.
Transparent, Verified Data
Every lender profile is built from SBA FOIA public records — the same data the government uses. No paid placements affect rankings.