Best SBA Lenders In North Carolina (2027)
North Carolina businesses closed 1,446 SBA 7(a) loans worth $1.06B in FY2026, through 128 lenders. Live Oak Banking Company led by dollar volume, and 228 of the loans financed business acquisitions.
Key Takeaways
- Live Oak Banking Company was the top SBA lender in North Carolina with $151M across 132 loans.
- 228 business acquisitions were financed, averaging $1.5M per loan.
- The median loan was $325K, and loans averaged 12.3 years in term.
- Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels drew the most SBA dollars of any industry.
Top SBA Lenders In North Carolina
Ranked by SBA 7(a) dollar volume approved in FY2026. Average rate is the rate at approval.
| # | Lender | SBA Loans | Total Volume | Avg Loan | Avg Rate | Acquisition Loans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live Oak Banking CompanyWilmington, NC | 132 | $151M | $1.1M | 9.08% | 47 |
| 2 | Pinnacle BankNashville, TN | 46 | $68.6M | $1.5M | 8.34% | 10 |
| 3 | GBankLas Vegas, NV | 18 | $63.9M | $3.5M | 7.99% | 9 |
| 4 | Newtek BankMiami, FL | 142 | $42.3M | $298K | 10.94% | 3 |
| 5 | The Fidelity BankFuquay Varina, NC | 36 | $39.3M | $1.1M | 8.85% | 16 |
| 6 | TowneBankPortsmouth, VA | 32 | $39.0M | $1.2M | 8.77% | 10 |
| 7 | The Huntington National BankColumbus, OH | 98 | $38.2M | $389K | 9.17% | 16 |
| 8 | Bank of Oak RidgeOak Ridge, NC | 33 | $33.9M | $1.0M | 9.02% | 10 |
| 9 | First BankSouthern Pines, NC | 27 | $23.5M | $870K | 9.36% | 3 |
| 10 | PathwardSioux Falls, SD | 10 | $22.1M | $2.2M | 9.25% | 4 |
| 11 | First-Citizens Bank & Trust CompanyRaleigh, NC | 35 | $22.0M | $629K | 9.63% | 5 |
| 12 | Fifth Third BankCincinnati, OH | 27 | $21.9M | $812K | 9.57% | 1 |
| 13 | First Bank of the LakeOsage Beach, MO | 22 | $18.6M | $844K | 9.31% | 0 |
| 14 | Harvest Small Business FinanceLaguna Hills, CA | 13 | $17.8M | $1.4M | 9.21% | 2 |
| 15 | Northeast BankLewiston, ME | 106 | $16.3M | $154K | 9.96% | 0 |
Best SBA Lenders For Buying A Business In North Carolina
Business acquisition loans are SBA loans used to buy an existing company. They are larger than average and need more experience from the lender.
Most Active Acquisition Lenders
- Live Oak Banking Company47 acquisition loans
- The Fidelity Bank16 acquisition loans
- The Huntington National Bank16 acquisition loans
- Pinnacle Bank10 acquisition loans
- TowneBank10 acquisition loans
- Bank of Oak Ridge10 acquisition loans
Among this area's top 15 lenders by volume.
Buying A Business?
We take your deal to the SBA lenders that close the most acquisitions, so they compete for it. It is free to you.
Loan Sizes In North Carolina
How SBA dollars split by loan size.
Top Industries In North Carolina
Industries that drew the most SBA dollars.
SBA Lending In North Carolina Since 2020
SBA 7(a) dollars approved each fiscal year.
FY2026 dollar volume in North Carolina was down 11.8% from FY2025, and the loan count was down 24.1%. Part of that drop is the calendar: SBA approved no 7(a) loans in October 2025 during the federal government shutdown (October 1 to November 12, 2025), so FY2026 covers about 11 months of lending.
How To Choose An SBA Lender In North Carolina
Lending in North Carolina is spread out. 128 lenders made at least one SBA 7(a) loan, and the top five together made 34% of the dollars. That gives you room to compare offers, because no single bank sets the terms.
Newtek Bank made the most loans (142, averaging $298K), while Live Oak Banking Company led on dollars with fewer, larger loans averaging $1.1M. Volume leaders and count leaders often serve different deal sizes, so match the lender to the size of your loan.
5 of the top 15 lenders are headquartered in NC, including Live Oak Banking Company. Local banks can bring relationship banking and local credit knowledge; national SBA lenders bring speed and experience with larger acquisitions.
The average SBA loan here was $735K, about 27% above the national average of $578K. Larger loans tend to price lower and draw more lender competition.
Among the top lenders with at least three loans, GBank had the lowest average rate at approval (7.99%). The overall average was 9.44%, and 91% of loans were variable. Rate depends heavily on loan size and term, so compare offers on the same structure.
Business acquisitions made up 31% of SBA dollars here, above the national share of 27%. 228 buyers used an SBA loan to purchase a business, with an average acquisition loan of $1.5M.
Franchises took 22% of loans, led by The UPS Store, Days Inn / Days Inn by Wyndham, Naturals2Go.
The fastest way to compare is to send one complete package to several lenders at once. That is what we do: GoSBA Loans takes your deal to the SBA lenders that fit it, and they compete for your business.
How Much You Need Down
For a business acquisition, SBA sets the minimum Down Payment. Lenders can ask for more.
- 10% minimum. SBA requires a Down Payment of at least 10% of the project for an initial business acquisition (SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 15).
- A seller note can cover up to half. When the seller finances part of the price on full standby, with no payments for the life of the SBA loan, it can count for up to half of the required Down Payment. That can bring your cash to 5%.
- Investors can help. Minority investors can fund part of the Down Payment. Anyone who owns 20% or more personally guarantees the loan.
- Ten year term for most acquisitions. Business acquisition loans without real estate run up to 10 years. Real estate in the deal can stretch the term.
Example For North Carolina
The average business acquisition loan here was $1.5M. At 10% down, that is a project of about $1.6M:
Illustration only. Your lender sets the final structure.
Questions About SBA Lenders In North Carolina
Who is the top SBA lender in North Carolina?
Live Oak Banking Company made the most SBA 7(a) dollars in North Carolina in FY2026: $151M across 132 loans. Newtek Bank made the most loans by count (142).
How many SBA loans were made in North Carolina?
SBA approved 1,446 7(a) loans totaling $1.06B in North Carolina in FY2026. The average loan was $735K and the median was $325K. 128 lenders made at least one loan.
What is the average SBA loan rate in North Carolina?
The average initial rate on SBA 7(a) loans in North Carolina was 9.44% (8.55% weighted by loan size). 91% of loans had a variable rate tied to the Prime Rate. SBA caps the spread a lender can charge, and larger loans usually price lower.
Which SBA lender is best for buying a business in North Carolina?
Live Oak Banking Company closed the most business acquisition loans among the top lenders here (47). The best lender for your deal depends on its size and industry, so it helps to have several lenders review it.
How much do I need down to buy a business in North Carolina with an SBA loan?
SBA requires at least 10% down for a business acquisition. A seller note on full standby can cover up to half of that, so some buyers put in 5% of their own cash. On the average acquisition loan here ($1.5M), 10% down is roughly $162K.
Does GoSBA Loans charge borrowers?
No. GoSBA Loans is 100% free to borrowers. We prepare your loan package and take it to the SBA lenders that fit your deal.
Keep Exploring
Cities In North Carolina
- Charlotte$143M
- Raleigh$101M
- Durham$36.2M
- Wilmington$35.6M
- Greensboro$33.3M
- Mooresville$29.4M
- Cary$21.8M
- Winston Salem$20.3M
- Asheville$16.5M
- Reidsville$16.2M
- Fayetteville$11.2M
- High Point$6.9M
- Hickory$5.9M
- Waxhaw$3.8M
Top Industries Here
- Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels
- Full-Service Restaurants
- Child Care Services
- Limited-Service Restaurants
- Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers
- Veterinary Services
- Residential Remodelers
- All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
- Lessors of Miniwarehouses and Self-Storage Units
- Broilers and Other Meat Type Chicken Production
About this data. Rankings use SBA 7(a) loan approvals from the SBA FOIA data set, fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026), as published by SBA through September 30, 2026. Lenders are ranked by approved dollar volume. Rates are the initial rate at approval, a simple average across loans; most SBA 7(a) loans are variable and move with the Prime Rate. Business acquisition loans are those SBA marks as a change of ownership. GoSBA Loans is an SBA loan broker, not a lender, and is not affiliated with SBA.
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