District of Columbia SBA lending, from federal loan records
SBA Lenders Actively Funding Businesses in District of Columbia
Since FY2020, 99 lenders have funded 732 SBA loans worth $356M for businesses in District of Columbia. Borrowers reported 7,865 jobs supported by those loans. Below is who actually writes them, how big they run, and which District of Columbia businesses get funded.
Most active SBA lenders in District of Columbia
Ranked by loans funded for District of Columbia projects since FY2020, not by advertising budget. A lender headquartered elsewhere that funds heavily in District of Columbia 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.
Smarter Business Funding
Find out what your business could qualify for
Answer six quick questions and get your business funding profile. We match it against real SBA lending records and follow up personally. No credit check, about 60 seconds.
Start your funding profile →How big District of Columbia SBA loans run
Share of District of Columbia 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 | DC | US |
|---|---|---|
| Under $150K | 43.4% | 40.4% |
| $150K to $500K | 31.7% | 31.9% |
| $500K to $1M | 11.7% | 12.9% |
| $1M and up | 13.2% | 14.9% |
Who gets funded in District of Columbia
Business age on District of Columbia 7(a) loans. 10.1% 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 | DC | US |
|---|---|---|
| Established, more than 2 years | 58% | 55.2% |
| New, 2 years or less | 15.5% | 16.9% |
| Startup, loan opens the business | 16.5% | 16.8% |
| Change of ownership (buying a business) | 10.1% | 11.1% |
Industries District of Columbia SBA lenders fund most
Share of all District of Columbia SBA loans by industry, and how that compares with the national mix.
| Industry | DC loans | Share | Compared with US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | 144 | 19.7% | 2.1x the national share |
| Retail | 133 | 18.2% | 1.5x the national share |
| Restaurants and hotels | 132 | 18% | 1.4x the national share |
| Healthcare | 75 | 10.2% | in line with national |
| Personal and repair services | 53 | 7.2% | 0.8x the national share |
| Construction | 44 | 6% | 0.5x the national share |
| Business support services | 34 | 4.6% | 0.8x the national share |
| Education | 23 | 3.1% | 2.1x the national share |
The most common specific business types funded in District of Columbia: full-service restaurants (63), beer, wine, and liquor retailers (38), limited-service restaurants (26), administrative management and general management consulting services (24), drinking places (alcoholic beverages) (17), beauty salons (16).
Where in District of Columbia the loans go
| County | SBA loans since FY2020 | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| District Of Columbia | 732 | 100% |
7(a) or 504 in District of Columbia
6% of District of Columbia SBA loans are 504 loans, against 12% nationally. A 504 loan funds owner-occupied real estate or major equipment, with a median of $880K here. A 7(a) loan covers almost anything else, including working capital and buying a business. The busiest 504 lenders in District of Columbia:
- Business Finance Group, Inc.: 21 504 loans, median $834K
- Rappahannock Economic Development Corporation: 10 504 loans, median $1.1M
District of Columbia SBA lending by year
| Fiscal year | 7(a) loans | 504 loans | Dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | 58 | 6 | $23M |
| FY2021 | 76 | 6 | $48M |
| FY2022 | 88 | 11 | $56M |
| FY2023 | 108 | 4 | $48M |
| FY2024 | 130 | 5 | $69M |
| FY2025 | 147 | 6 | $74M |
| FY2026 (through June 30, 2026) | 84 | 3 | $38M |
The SBA fiscal year runs October through September.
Common questions
Who is the most active SBA lender in District of Columbia?
By funded loans since FY2020, Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company leads District of Columbia with 179 loans.
How big is a typical SBA loan in District of Columbia?
The median 7(a) loan in District of Columbia is $150K, and the middle half runs from $50K to $498K. The median 504 loan is $880K. Nationally the 7(a) median is $200K.
What interest rate do District of Columbia SBA borrowers get?
The median starting rate on District of Columbia 7(a) loans since FY2020 is 9.75%, against 9.25% nationally. 91% of those loans carry a variable rate, which moves with the prime rate.
Can a startup get an SBA loan in District of Columbia?
Yes. 32% of District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia. 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.