Top 5 Best SBA Lenders in 2025 for Small Business Loans

Finding the right lender is crucial for any small business owner seeking financing. In 2025, SBA loans will continue to be a popular funding option because of their favorable terms and gov support. These loans are designed to support small businesses that may not qualify for traditional financing, making them an essential tool for entrepreneurs looking to launch, grow, or stabilize their operations.

The best SBA lenders in 2025 are those that offer access to capital and guide business owners through the application process with expertise and personalized service. These lenders have a solid track record of successful SBA loan approvals and are often recognized for their commitment to supporting small businesses in various industries. From national banks to regional credit unions and non-bank lenders, the top SBA lenders provide flexible options that suit startups and established businesses.

This list of the top 5 best SBA lenders in 2025 highlights financial institutions that stand out for their efficiency, reliability, and customer support. Whether you need a 7(a) loan for working capital, a 504 loan for real estate, or a microloan for a small project, these lenders are trusted partners for business success.

Some of the best SBA 7a lenders

There are many regional, national, and local banks that are SBA 7(a) lenders that comprise big names such as Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. You may want to look for the best SBA lenders that will work with small businesses in your area and provide competitive loan terms and interest rates. 

The best SBA 7(a) lenders have an established history of granting these loans with a streamlined process of application and dedicated specialists for loans. These lenders are generally members of an SBA Preferred Lenders Program (PLP). 

SBA-preferred lenders can also come up with a final credit decision without sending applications to the SBA; this helps in speeding up the process of loan approval. Suppose an SBA-preferred lender is Citizen Bank, which says it can approve and close an SBA loan in 45 days, then it is a fair deal, as the process will be faster than a 60-to-90-day timeline. 

Since the start of the 2025 fiscal year on October 1, 2024, preferred lenders have approved over 18,000 SBA 7(a) loans, totaling more than $10 billion in funding. These loans account for over 60% of all SBA 7(a) loans approved during this period, highlighting the preferred lenders' significant role in supporting small businesses.

Newtek Bank

Presently, NewTek Bank is the most active SBA lender, issuing over $1 billion in funding across over 2,000 SBA 7(a) loans in fiscal year 2025. The company markets itself as a provider of financial solutions and business, offering banks, payment systems, insurance, web solutions, business loans, and more. 

With the help of SBA 7(a) program, Newtek lends for profit. There are U.S.-based businesses with tax returns of two to three years and can repay loans with the help of their business revenue. Moreover, you would also have to work with the same lending specialist when you apply for these types of government small business loans.

Northeast bank

Northeast Bank is one of the top lenders, with over 3,000 approved SBA 7(a) loans in FY 2025. It has also secured a place in the top five lenders after combining the total loan amount and the approval numbers. 

Since it’s based in Portland, Maine, Northeast Bank provides full service and is the best SBA lender preferred by the SBA 7(a) loans for up to $500,000, commercial real estate loans, equipment loans, and business lines of credit. It also works with a third-party lender service provider to help in narrowing the 7(a) application process, which will help you to apply online with fewer documents.

Readycap Lending

Readycap Lending, LLC, a subsidiary of Ready Capital and a non-bank SBA preferred lender, established itself as one of the best SBA lenders in fiscal year 2025. With over 1,500 SBA 7(a) loans approved totaling nearly $550 million, Readycap ranks among the top five lenders in both loan volume and number of approvals.

As one of the best SBA lenders, Readycap offers 7(a) loans ranging from $350,000 to $5 million. These funds can be used for various business needs, including acquisitions, expansions, equipment purchases, working capital, or refinancing existing business debt. In addition, Readycap provides SBA-backed commercial real estate loans for purchasing property, new construction, renovations, and more, making it a versatile lending partner for growing businesses.

JPMorgan Chase Bank

JPMorgan Chase Bank, one of the best SBA lenders and a Preferred Lending Partner (PLP), has approved more than 850 SBA 7(a) loans in fiscal year 2025, totaling over $245 million. As the largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the third-largest in commercial loan volume, it ranks among the top SBA 7(a) lenders this year.

JPMorgan Chase offers SBA 7(a) loans of up to $5 million, supporting small business owners with funding for expansion, equipment purchases, startup capital, and debt consolidation. 

For those seeking faster access to smaller amounts, the bank also provides SBA Express loans and lines of credit of up to $500,000. In addition, JPMorgan Chase offers SBA 504 loans designed for large-scale purchases such as commercial real estate or heavy equipment, making it a comprehensive option for business financing needs.

Live Oak Banking Company

Live Oak Banking Company stands out as one of the best SBA lenders and firmly ranks among the top 10 SBA lenders in fiscal year 2025. Headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, Live Oak has approved over $800 million in SBA 7(a) loans this year, making it the second-most active lender by total loan volume. As a Preferred Lending Partner (PLP), Live Oak offers a fully online and efficient loan application process, serving small businesses nationwide.

Live Oak Bank provides SBA 7(a) loans of up to $5 million, typically with 90% bank financing and a minimum 10% down payment. With a minimum credit score requirement of just 650, it offers accessible financing options for many borrowers. In addition to its strong presence in the 7(a) space, Live Oak is a leading SBA 504 lender, offering loans up to $15 million. 

Through its innovative combination debt financing approach, the bank can support 504 larger projects than many other lenders, making it a top choice for businesses seeking substantial funding for real estate or major equipment purchases.

Celtic Bank

Celtic Bank has over $190 million when talking about best SBA lenders so far for the FY 2025. It is the ninth-most active best SBA lenders as per their loan amount. It is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and provides a variety of small business financing options, including real estate and construction loans, equipment financing, and more.

Celtic Bank’s SBA loan is maxed out at $5 million. Express loan offerings include 7(a) loans that are maxed out at $5 million, Express loans that offer up to $150,000 in financing, construction loans up to $5 million, and SBA loans that can fund projects over $5 million and have a decent cash flow.

Final Thoughts 

Choosing the right lender can make all the difference when pursuing SBA-approved financing. The best SBA lenders in 2025 have demonstrated strong approval rates, streamlined processes, and a deep commitment to supporting small businesses nationwide. 

From established names like JPMorgan Chase and Live Oak Bank to non-bank leaders like Readycap and Newtek, these top lenders offer flexible solutions tailored to the needs of growing businesses. 

Whether you're seeking a 7(a) loan, an SBA Express option, or a 504 real estate loan, working with one of the best SBA lenders ensures you have a trusted partner on your path to success.

FAQs about best SBA lenders

Who are some of the best SBA lenders for 2025?

Some of the most popular SBA lenders for the fiscal year 2025 are JPMorgan Chase, Huntington National Bank, Live Oak Bank, BayFirst National Bank, Newtek Bank, Celtic Bank, and TD Bank. These are some of the bank lenders that will help with 7(a) loans.

Which SBA loan is easiest to get approved for?

SBA microloans are one of the easiest loan you can get approved for, especially for businesses that has a limitation of credit history. They also don’t meet the traditional criteria of lending, and provide smaller loan amounts which is usually up to $50,000. These loans may have more flexible requirements than other types of SBA loans from the best SBA lenders.

Who gives the best small business loans?

Many banks and lending institutions provide competitive financing options for small businesses, including SBA loans, traditional term loans, and lines of credit. Notable lenders recognized for their strong small business loan programs include Cadence Bank, BayFirst, Ready Capital, Fundera, and JPMorgan Chase. These lenders offer a range of solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of entrepreneurs and growing businesses.

What is the fastest SBA loan approval?

If you're looking for quick funding, the SBA Express Loan is one of the fastest options available. With approval times as short as 36 hours, it's designed to move quickly. These loans fall under the SBA 7(a) program but are processed without requiring direct SBA review, significantly speeding up the timeline. In contrast, standard 7(a) loans can take much longer, often 5 to 10 business days just for approval and up to 60 to 90 days to complete the process. To improve your chances and save time, working with some of the best SBA lenders who specialize in navigating these loans efficiently is worth it.

What credit score is needed for SBA business loan?

Qualifying for an SBA loan can be challenging, particularly when applying through traditional banks, which often have more stringent requirements. To boost your chances of approval, it’s recommended to have both a personal and business credit score of at least 680. Meeting this benchmark signals to lenders that you're a reliable borrower and helps position your application more favorably.

Frequent searches leading to this page