SBA loans by use of funds
SBA Loans for Startups
SBA lenders funded 265,843 7(a) and 504 loans for startups since FY2010 (25.7% of all SBA lending in the data), totaling $120.1B, an average of $452K per loan. The most active lender is The Huntington National Bank.
By Mario Bailey · Source: SBA FOIA data, FY2010–2026 (as of 2026-03-31)
These figures cover SBA 7(a) and 504 loans to startups and businesses two years old or younger. New businesses can and do get SBA loans, but lenders look harder at the owner's experience, the business plan, and the equity injection. 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 4.4% — 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 startups
Ranked by funded SBA volume for startups 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 |
|---|---|---|
| The Huntington National Bank | 22,789 | $6.3B |
| Live Oak Banking Company | 4,089 | $6.0B |
| Wells Fargo Bank National Association | 28,805 | $5.9B |
| Celtic Bank Corporation | 3,337 | $2.6B |
| Byline Bank | 1,879 | $2.0B |
| Readycap Lending, LLC | 2,106 | $2.0B |
| PNC Bank, National Association | 3,349 | $1.6B |
| KeyBank National Association | 4,934 | $1.5B |
| U.S. Bank, National Association | 7,999 | $1.4B |
| First Financial Bank | 1,763 | $1.2B |
Ready to talk to lenders that fund startups?
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 startups SBA loans
| State | Loans | Total volume |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 25,130 | $15.7B |
| California | 23,738 | $12.4B |
| Florida | 16,428 | $8.9B |
| Georgia | 9,770 | $6.8B |
| New York | 13,588 | $4.7B |
| North Carolina | 7,561 | $4.3B |
| Illinois | 8,207 | $4.0B |
| Ohio | 11,890 | $3.9B |
| New Jersey | 7,734 | $3.8B |
| Pennsylvania | 9,493 | $3.7B |
SBA lending for startups by year
Funded SBA volume by approval fiscal year (FY2010–2026).
SBA loans for startups: frequently asked questions
Can you get an SBA loan for startups?
Yes. Lenders funded 265,843 SBA 7(a) and 504 loans for startups in the public data (as of 2026-03-31), 25.7% of all SBA lending, totaling $120.1B.
How much is a typical SBA loan for startups?
The average SBA loan for startups is $452K, across 265,843 funded loans. Your amount depends on use of funds, cash flow, and the lender.
Which SBA lenders fund startups?
The Huntington National Bank, Live Oak Banking Company, Wells Fargo Bank National Association are among the most active SBA lenders for startups by funded volume. A lender that regularly funds your situation is more likely to understand the deal.