SBA Lenders in South Carolina
15 active SBA lenders · 1,555 loans approved · $1.3B total volume
All SBA Lenders in South Carolina
| Lender | City | Loans | Total Volume | Avg Loan | Preferred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Community Bank | Greenville | 1,133 | $954.8M | $843K | ⭐ |
| Countybank | GREENWOOD | 158 | $118.8M | $752K | ⭐ |
| Coastal States Bank | Hilton Head Island | 101 | $138.2M | $1.4M | ⭐ |
| Business Development Corporation of South Carolina | Columbia | 45 | $16.3M | $362K | — |
| Bank of Travelers Rest | TRAVELERS REST | 41 | $25.3M | $618K | ⭐ |
| Security Federal Bank | AIKEN | 33 | $10.1M | $306K | ⭐ |
| Beacon Community Bank | Mount Pleasant | 12 | $6.5M | $542K | — |
| Optus Bank | Columbia | 11 | $3.7M | $339K | — |
| Coastal Carolina National Bank | MYRTLE BEACH | 6 | $2.3M | $381K | — |
| CommunityWorks | Greenville | 5 | $1.1M | $215K | — |
| The Citizens Bank | OLANTA | 4 | $5.5M | $1.4M | — |
| Enterprise Bank of South Carolina | EHRHARDT | 3 | $2.3M | $772K | — |
| First Community Bank | LEXINGTON | 1 | $882K | $882K | — |
| First Reliance Bank | FLORENCE | 1 | $160K | $160K | — |
| Certified Development Corporation of South Carolina | Columbia | 1 | $186K | $186K | — |
Finding an SBA Lender in South Carolina
There are currently 15 SBA-approved lenders headquartered in South Carolina, ranging from national banks to local community lenders. Together they have approved 1,555 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $1.3B since 2020.
Of these, 5 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 South Carolina
How many SBA lenders are in South Carolina?
There are currently 15 SBA-approved lenders headquartered in South Carolina. Together they have approved 1,555 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $1.3B since 2020. Of these, 5 hold SBA Preferred Lender status, allowing them to approve loans without prior SBA review.
What is an SBA Preferred Lender in South Carolina?
An SBA Preferred Lender (PLP) in South 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. South Carolina currently has 5 Preferred Lenders.
How do I choose the best SBA lender in South Carolina?
When choosing an SBA lender in South 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 15 South Carolina lenders so you can compare objectively.
How long does SBA loan approval take in South Carolina?
With an SBA Preferred Lender in South 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.