SBA loans by use of funds
SBA Loans for Buying a Business
SBA lenders funded 50,580 7(a) and 504 loans for buying a business since FY2010 (4.9% of all SBA lending in the data), totaling $54.5B, an average of $1.1M per loan. The most active lender is Live Oak Banking Company.
By Mario Bailey · Source: SBA FOIA data, FY2010–2026 (as of 2026-03-31)
These figures cover SBA loans used for a change of ownership -- buying an existing business or partner buyout. The 7(a) program is the usual tool, and the lender underwrites the business you are buying, not just you. They cover funded loans, not applications, so a lender's activity here is a track-record signal — not a guarantee you will be approved. Among the 7(a) loans, the charge-off rate is 1.4% — a relative track-record signal, not a lifetime default rate (504 charge-offs are not reported in the SBA data); see our methodology. Estimate a payment with the SBA loan calculator, or check the basics with the eligibility checker. For the full walkthrough, read the guide.
Most active SBA lenders for buying a business
Ranked by funded SBA volume for buying a business in the public data. A lender active in your situation is a good place to start — then talk to a few before you apply.
| Lender | Loans | Total volume |
|---|---|---|
| Live Oak Banking Company | 4,661 | $6.7B |
| The Huntington National Bank | 3,050 | $2.5B |
| GBank | 600 | $1.6B |
| Byline Bank | 916 | $1.3B |
| Celtic Bank Corporation | 825 | $1.2B |
| Metro City Bank | 455 | $947.4M |
| First Internet Bank of Indiana | 601 | $831.2M |
| Open Bank | 489 | $814.9M |
| Beacon Bank and Trust | 551 | $812.4M |
| United Midwest Savings Bank National Association | 666 | $754.6M |
Ready to talk to lenders that fund buying a business?
Get matched with the SBA lenders that actually fund businesses like yours, ranked on real loan data by state, industry, and size. Independent: your details go only to the lenders we match you to, never to data brokers.
Top states for buying a business SBA loans
| State | Loans | Total volume |
|---|---|---|
| California | 5,443 | $5.9B |
| Texas | 4,078 | $5.4B |
| Florida | 3,739 | $4.4B |
| Georgia | 1,866 | $2.6B |
| Washington | 2,055 | $2.3B |
| North Carolina | 1,584 | $2.0B |
| Colorado | 1,931 | $2.0B |
| Illinois | 1,833 | $2.0B |
| Ohio | 1,846 | $1.9B |
| Pennsylvania | 1,804 | $1.7B |
SBA lending for buying a business by year
Funded SBA volume by approval fiscal year (FY2010–2026).
SBA loans for buying a business: frequently asked questions
Can you get an SBA loan for buying a business?
Yes. Lenders funded 50,580 SBA 7(a) and 504 loans for buying a business in the public data (as of 2026-03-31), 4.9% of all SBA lending, totaling $54.5B.
How much is a typical SBA loan for buying a business?
The average SBA loan for buying a business is $1.1M, across 50,580 funded loans. Your amount depends on use of funds, cash flow, and the lender.
Which SBA lenders fund buying a business?
Live Oak Banking Company, The Huntington National Bank, GBank are among the most active SBA lenders for buying a business by funded volume. A lender that regularly funds your situation is more likely to understand the deal.