SBA lending by metro area
SBA lenders in Knoxville, TN
Which lenders fund Knoxville-area businesses, how much, and how the market compares with Tennessee: SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, FY2010–2026.
By Mario Bailey · SBA FOIA data as of 2026-03-31
Top SBA lenders in the Knoxville area
Ranked by SBA volume funded to businesses located in the Knoxville metropolitan area, wherever the lender is headquartered. National SBA lenders that fund here are included.
| # | Lender | Loans | Total funded | Average loan | 7(a) charge-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brightbridge, Inc. | 97 | $84.9M | $875K | not reported |
| 2 | Pinnacle Bank | 55 | $66.6M | $1.2M | 1.82% |
| 3 | Live Oak Banking Company | 55 | $50.5M | $919K | 0.00% |
| 4 | United Community Bank | 43 | $38.6M | $898K | 2.33% |
| 5 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 157 | $29.8M | $190K | 2.55% |
| 6 | Regions Bank | 36 | $24.7M | $687K | 0.00% |
| 7 | Citizens Bank | 26 | $24.5M | $943K | 7.69% |
| 8 | Truist Bank | 70 | $24.2M | $346K | 1.43% |
| 9 | First Horizon Bank | 32 | $24.1M | $753K | 0.00% |
| 10 | First US Bank | 16 | $21.3M | $1.3M | not reported |
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, FY2010–2026, as of 2026-03-31, from the SBA's public record.
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How Knoxville compares
Median funded SBA loan and 504 share of loans, FY2010–2026.
| Median loan | 504 share | |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville area | $250K | 7.0% ▲ 1.6 pts |
| Tennessee | $250K | 5.3% |
| United States | $179K | 11.2% |
What gets funded in Knoxville
| Industry | Loans | Total funded |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 223 | $180.3M |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 116 | $85.9M |
| Retail Trade | 203 | $77.2M |
| Other Services | 153 | $75.5M |
| Professional and Technical Services | 134 | $65.2M |
| Construction | 141 | $46.4M |
| Manufacturing | 78 | $46.4M |
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation | 56 | $36.3M |
SBA lending in Knoxville by year
Geography, precisely
"Knoxville area" here means the Knoxville, TN metropolitan statistical area as delineated by OMB (July 2023), which is exactly these counties: Anderson County, TN; Blount County, TN; Campbell County, TN; Grainger County, TN; Knox County, TN; Loudon County, TN; Morgan County, TN; Roane County, TN; Union County, TN. Loans are placed by the SBA's recorded project county, which can differ from a borrower's mailing address. Counts are SBA 7(a) and 504 funded loans, FY2010–2026, as of 2026-03-31. See the methodology.