Best Arkansas SBA Lenders & Rates (2026)
2025 FOIA data: top lenders, rates, industries & loan types in Arkansas
SBA Loans in Arkansas
Arkansas businesses received $247.5M in SBA 7(a) loan approvals across 401 businesses in 2025, supporting 3,969 jobs. With 77 active SBA lenders competing for business in Arkansas, comparing offers is essential — rates vary significantly by lender.
The average SBA loan in Arkansas is $617K at 9.86%, which is 0.46% below the national average of 10.32%. The top lender in Arkansas is Southern Bancorp Bank, with the most-funded industry being Chicken Egg Production.
SBA Loans in Arkansas by Business Type
Whether you’re starting a business, buying one, or expanding an existing operation in Arkansas, here’s how SBA lending breaks down:
Startups represent 28% of Arkansas SBA loans (104 loans totaling $70.2M). Business acquisitions (change of ownership) account for 32% (54 loans, $79.6M). Existing businesses make up the largest share at 29% (188 loans). If you’re buying a business in Arkansas, acquisitions are a well-established use case for SBA 7(a) loans.
Arkansas vs. National Average
How does Arkansas’s SBA lending market compare to the national average in 2025?
Arkansas9.86%
National Avg10.32%
✅ Arkansas’s avg rate is 0.46% lower than the national average
Arkansas$617K
National Avg$478K
Arkansas’s avg loan is 1.3x the national average
A rate lower than the national average of 10.32% is significant context for Arkansas borrowers. Individual rates depend on your credit profile, deal structure, loan size, and the specific lender you work with — which is why comparing multiple offers from different banks is consistently the best strategy to get the lowest possible rate on your SBA loan.
Top SBA Lenders in Arkansas (2025 Data)
The table below ranks every SBA 7(a) lender active in Arkansas in 2025 by total dollar volume approved. This data comes directly from SBA FOIA records and represents actual funded loans — not pre-qualifications or applications received.
| # | Lender | Volume | Loans | Avg Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Bancorp Bank | $23.2M | 41 | 8.33% |
| 2 | First Financial Bank | $21.7M | 16 | 8.53% |
| 3 | First Service Bank | $21.3M | 26 | 9.19% |
| 4 | Live Oak Banking Company | $20.5M | 16 | 9.19% |
| 5 | T Bank, National Association | $14.6M | 4 | 9.62% |
| 6 | Cadence Bank | $12.0M | 7 | 9.86% |
| 7 | FNBC Bank | $9.9M | 16 | 10.3% |
| 8 | Regions Bank | $7.4M | 6 | 8.64% |
| 9 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | $7.2M | 5 | 10.25% |
| 10 | Readycap Lending, LLC | $6.8M | 16 | 12.91% |
| 11 | Arvest Bank | $5.4M | 18 | 8.89% |
| 12 | Stone Bank | $5.2M | 3 | 9.67% |
| 13 | Northeast Bank | $5.2M | 34 | 10.87% |
| 14 | Peoples Bank | $5.0M | 1 | 8.5% |
| 15 | Bank OZK | $4.6M | 10 | 9.1% |
Pay close attention to the “Avg Rate” column — rates vary significantly between lenders operating in the same state. The spread between the lowest and highest rate in this table can represent tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. The top lenders in Arkansas have funded the most deals locally, meaning their loan officers understand Arkansas’s commercial real estate values, industry mix, and economic conditions. This familiarity typically translates into faster underwriting and more competitive terms.
However, don’t limit your search to local banks alone. Many of the top national SBA lenders fund loans across all 50 states and may offer better rates or more experience with your specific industry. An SBA loan broker like GoSBA gives you access to both Arkansas-based lenders and national lenders with a single application — ensuring you get the most competitive offer available.
Get Matched with the Best SBA Lender in Arkansas
One 5-minute application. 77 lenders competing for your deal. GoSBA matches you to the best fit — free, no obligation.
Top Industries Funded in Arkansas
SBA lending in Arkansas reflects the state’s economic profile and business formation trends. The table below shows which industries received the most SBA 7(a) funding in Arkansas in 2025, ranked by total dollar volume:
| Industry | Loans | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Egg Production | 17 | $22.0M |
| Broilers and Other Meat Type | 14 | $16.3M |
| Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels | 3 | $9.3M |
| Full-Service Restaurants | 25 | $7.3M |
| Other Poultry Production | 2 | $5.2M |
| Child Day Care Services | 7 | $5.1M |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers | 1 | $5.0M |
| Ambulance Services | 1 | $5.0M |
| Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage | 1 | $5.0M |
| Logging | 7 | $4.6M |
| Other Personal Care Services | 10 | $4.6M |
| Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) | 7 | $4.3M |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services | 4 | $3.8M |
| General Freight Trucking, Local | 2 | $3.4M |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services | 2 | $3.4M |
If your business operates in one of Arkansas’s top-funded industries, you’re in a strong position. Lenders who have funded dozens of similar businesses in your state understand the unit economics, seasonal revenue patterns, and typical margins for your sector. This familiarity translates into faster approvals, less documentation back-and-forth, and more accurate risk pricing — which typically means better terms for the borrower.
Even if your industry isn’t listed above, SBA 7(a) loans are available for nearly every legal business type. An SBA loan broker can identify which lenders have the most experience with your specific industry.
Top Cities for SBA Loans in Arkansas
SBA lending activity within Arkansas is concentrated in major metropolitan areas, but businesses in smaller cities and towns also receive significant funding. The table below shows where in Arkansas the most SBA 7(a) loans were funded in 2025:
| City | Loans | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | 33 | $19.6M |
| North Little Rock | 17 | $16.0M |
| Fort Smith | 17 | $15.0M |
| Rogers | 17 | $11.2M |
| Jonesboro | 10 | $10.5M |
| Conway | 10 | $9.3M |
| Brinkley | 3 | $8.5M |
| Bentonville | 12 | $5.9M |
| Fayetteville | 17 | $5.9M |
| Maumelle | 3 | $5.1M |
How to Get an SBA Loan in Arkansas
Option 1: Apply directly to one of the top Arkansas lenders above. You’ll get a single quote from one bank.
Option 2: Use an SBA loan broker (recommended). GoSBA Loans submits your application to multiple Arkansas-active lenders simultaneously, creating competition for your deal. Better rates, faster approvals — at no cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many SBA loans were funded in Arkansas in 2025?
What is the average SBA loan interest rate in Arkansas?
Can I get an SBA loan to start a business in Arkansas?
Who is the top SBA lender in Arkansas?
What industries get the most SBA loans in Arkansas?
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Data sourced from official SBA 7(a) FOIA loan approval records for Calendar Year 2025, published by the U.S. Small Business Administration. For official information, visit sba.gov.
