SBA Lenders in North Carolina
24 active SBA lenders · 18,578 loans approved · $19.6B total volume
All SBA Lenders in North Carolina
| Lender | City | Loans | Total Volume | Avg Loan | Preferred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak Banking Company | WILMINGTON | 9,065 | $12.6B | $1.4M | ⭐ |
| Bank of America, National Association | Charlotte | 4,266 | $2.1B | $484K | ⭐ |
| Dogwood State Bank | RALEIGH | 1,137 | $968.1M | $851K | ⭐ |
| Truist Bank | Charlotte | 842 | $904.8M | $1.1M | ⭐ |
| First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company | RALEIGH | 647 | $644.1M | $996K | ⭐ |
| First Bank | SOUTHERN PINES | 598 | $561.9M | $940K | ⭐ |
| HomeTrust Bank | ASHEVILLE | 587 | $677.0M | $1.2M | ⭐ |
| North State Bank | RALEIGH | 405 | $301.0M | $743K | ⭐ |
| Truliant FCU | Winston-Salem | 290 | $417.6M | $1.4M | ⭐ |
| The Fidelity Bank | FUQUAY VARINA | 210 | $196.0M | $933K | ⭐ |
| Bank of Oak Ridge | OAK RIDGE | 176 | $174.0M | $989K | ⭐ |
| Mechanics and Farmers Bank | Durham | 95 | $59.2M | $623K | ⭐ |
| Carolina Small Business Development Fund | Raleigh | 69 | $13.9M | $201K | — |
| Mountain Bizcapital, Inc. | Asheville | 66 | $10.0M | $152K | ⭐ |
| Southern Bank and Trust Company | MOUNT OLIVE | 51 | $16.1M | $316K | — |
| Uwharrie Bank | ALBEMARLE | 13 | $6.1M | $470K | — |
| KS Bank, Inc. | SMITHFIELD | 13 | $7.4M | $572K | — |
| Institute Capital, Inc. | Durham | 13 | $2.1M | $163K | ⭐ |
| Coastal FCU | RALEIGH | 11 | $635K | $58K | — |
| Carolina Community Impact, Inc. | Raleigh | 11 | $1.6M | $147K | — |
| Triad Business Bank | GREENSBORO | 6 | $6.2M | $1.0M | — |
| Lendstream Small Business Finance, LLC | CHARLOTTE | 5 | $5.2M | $1.0M | — |
| Self-Help FCU | DURHAM | 1 | $150K | $150K | — |
| American Bank of the Carolinas d/b/a American Bank | MONROE | 1 | $306K | $306K | — |
Finding an SBA Lender in North Carolina
There are currently 24 SBA-approved lenders headquartered in North Carolina, ranging from national banks to local community lenders. Together they have approved 18,578 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $19.6B since 2020.
Of these, 14 are SBA Preferred Lenders — meaning they have delegated authority to approve SBA loans without prior SBA review, resulting in faster processing and funding.
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SBA Lender Questions for North Carolina
How many SBA lenders are in North Carolina?
There are currently 24 SBA-approved lenders headquartered in North Carolina. Together they have approved 18,578 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $19.6B since 2020. Of these, 14 hold SBA Preferred Lender status, allowing them to approve loans without prior SBA review.
What is an SBA Preferred Lender in North Carolina?
An SBA Preferred Lender (PLP) in North Carolina is a bank or financial institution that has earned delegated authority from the SBA to approve loans independently — without waiting for SBA review. This results in faster approvals (often 7–10 business days vs. 4–6 weeks) and a more streamlined process. North Carolina currently has 14 Preferred Lenders.
How do I choose the best SBA lender in North Carolina?
When choosing an SBA lender in North Carolina, consider three factors: (1) Preferred Lender status — these lenders close loans faster; (2) loan volume — lenders with higher approval counts have more SBA experience; (3) average loan size — find a lender whose typical deal size matches your needs. Our directory shows real SBA loan data for all 24 North Carolina lenders so you can compare objectively.
How long does SBA loan approval take in North Carolina?
With an SBA Preferred Lender in North Carolina, approval typically takes 7–10 business days. Non-preferred lenders require SBA review, adding 2–4 weeks. After approval, funding usually takes an additional 2–4 weeks, so total time from application to funding is typically 30–90 days depending on the lender and loan complexity.