California SBA lending, from federal loan records
SBA Lenders Actively Funding Businesses in California
Since FY2020, 349 lenders have funded 47,799 SBA loans worth $36B for businesses in California. Borrowers reported 509,158 jobs supported by those loans. Below is who actually writes them, how big they run, and which California businesses get funded.
Most active SBA lenders in California
Ranked by loans funded for California projects since FY2020, not by advertising budget. A lender headquartered elsewhere that funds heavily in California beats a local name that rarely writes SBA loans.
504 loans are written by Certified Development Companies alongside a bank first mortgage. The 504 file reports no interest rate, so CDC rows show none.
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Start your funding profile →How big California SBA loans run
Share of California 7(a) loans by approval size, next to the national split. If your ask sits in a common band, it is the kind of loan lenders here fund every week.
| 7(a) loan size | CA | US |
|---|---|---|
| Under $150K | 31.9% | 40.4% |
| $150K to $500K | 33.7% | 31.9% |
| $500K to $1M | 15.3% | 12.9% |
| $1M and up | 19.1% | 14.9% |
Who gets funded in California
Business age on California 7(a) loans. 10% funded a change of ownership, against 11.1% nationally. Buying a business? See the acquisition lender shortlist. Starting one? See startup-friendly lenders.
| Business stage | CA | US |
|---|---|---|
| Established, more than 2 years | 64.7% | 55.2% |
| New, 2 years or less | 16.3% | 16.9% |
| Startup, loan opens the business | 8.9% | 16.8% |
| Change of ownership (buying a business) | 10% | 11.1% |
Industries California SBA lenders fund most
Share of all California SBA loans by industry, and how that compares with the national mix.
| Industry | CA loans | Share | Compared with US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | 6,566 | 13.7% | in line with national |
| Restaurants and hotels | 5,561 | 11.6% | in line with national |
| Professional services | 5,429 | 11.4% | 1.2x the national share |
| Construction | 5,163 | 10.8% | in line with national |
| Healthcare | 5,073 | 10.6% | in line with national |
| Personal and repair services | 4,149 | 8.7% | in line with national |
| Manufacturing | 3,175 | 6.6% | in line with national |
| Wholesale trade | 3,124 | 6.5% | 1.5x the national share |
The most common specific business types funded in California: full-service restaurants (2,201), limited-service restaurants (1,459), offices of dentists (924), offices of physicians (except mental health specialists) (827), general automotive repair (809), plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors (802).
Where in California the loans go
| County | SBA loans since FY2020 | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 13,851 | 29% |
| Orange | 5,049 | 11% |
| San Diego | 4,560 | 10% |
| Riverside | 2,931 | 6% |
| San Bernardino | 2,644 | 6% |
| Sacramento | 1,906 | 4% |
| Santa Clara | 1,812 | 4% |
| Alameda | 1,803 | 4% |
7(a) or 504 in California
19% of California SBA loans are 504 loans, against 12% nationally. A 504 loan funds owner-occupied real estate or major equipment, with a median of $868K here. A 7(a) loan covers almost anything else, including working capital and buying a business. The busiest 504 lenders in California:
- Mortgage Capital Development Corporation: 1,940 504 loans, median $967K
- Business Finance Capital: 1,806 504 loans, median $935K
- California Statewide Certified Development Corporation: 1,376 504 loans, median $888K
- CDC Small Business Finance Corp.: 1,001 504 loans, median $847K
- Capital Access Group, Inc.: 483 504 loans, median $761K
California SBA lending by year
| Fiscal year | 7(a) loans | 504 loans | Dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | 4,475 | 1,135 | $4.2B |
| FY2021 | 5,129 | 1,562 | $6.8B |
| FY2022 | 4,327 | 1,607 | $5.3B |
| FY2023 | 5,439 | 1,138 | $4.6B |
| FY2024 | 7,332 | 1,183 | $5.0B |
| FY2025 | 7,779 | 1,335 | $5.8B |
| FY2026 (through June 30, 2026) | 4,397 | 961 | $3.9B |
The SBA fiscal year runs October through September.
Common questions
Who is the most active SBA lender in California?
By funded loans since FY2020, U.S. Bank, National Association leads California with 5,121 loans.
How big is a typical SBA loan in California?
The median 7(a) loan in California is $260K, and the middle half runs from $100K to $725K. The median 504 loan is $868K. Nationally the 7(a) median is $200K.
What interest rate do California SBA borrowers get?
The median starting rate on California 7(a) loans since FY2020 is 9.25%, against 9.25% nationally. 83% of those loans carry a variable rate, which moves with the prime rate.
Can a startup get an SBA loan in California?
Yes. 25% of California 7(a) loans with a reported business age went to startups or businesses two years old or younger, against 34% nationally. Lenders still expect a solid plan, owner equity and usually collateral.
Sources and limits. Derived from U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level records, FY2020 through June 30, 2026, for projects located in California. Cancelled approvals are excluded. Jobs supported are as reported by borrowers. Figures describe past lending activity only and are not offers, quotes, or qualification decisions. Big Brain Funding is not a lender and is not affiliated with any lender listed.