504 lending data
Which CDC and which bank do you need for a 504 loan in Tennessee?
The CDCs and first-mortgage banks that actually closed SBA 504 projects in Tennessee, including which pairs work together most often.
84 SBA 504 projects were approved in Tennessee recently, at a median total project size of $2,647,054. The busiest CDC was Brightbridge, Inc with 54 loans, and the most active first-mortgage bank was Bank Five Nine.
You need two lenders, not one
This is the thing that trips up most first-time 504 borrowers. A 504 project is a stack: a bank provides roughly 50% as a first mortgage, a Certified Development Company provides roughly 40% as an SBA-backed second mortgage, and you put in about 10%. Both institutions have to approve, and they have to be willing to work with each other.
What 504 lending in Tennessee looks like
Computed from SBA 504 loan-level FOIA data released 2026-06-30, covering projects approved fiscal years 2023 to 2026, using data released June 2026.
| Measure | Tennessee | All 504 borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Projects approved | 84 | 22,192 |
| Median CDC portion | $1,155,500 | $730,000 |
| Median total project | $2,647,054 | $1,642,000 |
| Median term | 25 years | 25 years |
| Share to newer businesses | 28.6% | 16.5% |
| Charge-off rate, mature cohorts | 13.9% | 8.0% |
| Jobs supported | 1,044 | 235,155 |
Which CDCs are active in Tennessee
CDCs are non-profits licensed by the SBA, and they are regional — most serve a defined territory. These are the ones actually closing projects here.
| CDC | 504 loans, fiscal years 2023 to 2026, using data released June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Brightbridge, Inc | 54 |
| South Central Tennessee Business Development Corporation | 18 |
| Florida Business Development Corporation | 2 |
| Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, Inc | 2 |
| Georgia Certified Development Corporation | 2 |
Which banks write the first mortgage
The bank half of the stack is a conventional commercial mortgage on the bank's own terms. A bank that has closed dozens of 504s knows the process; one that has closed none will add weeks.
| Bank | 504 loans, fiscal years 2023 to 2026, using data released June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Bank Five Nine | 6 |
| CBBC Bank | 5 |
| Regions Bank | 5 |
| Harvest Commercial Capital, LLC | 3 |
| SmartBank | 3 |
| Apex Bank | 3 |
| Bank of America | 2 |
| Valley National Bank | 2 |
The pairings that actually close
This is the useful part, and it is not published anywhere else. Both lenders have to approve and coordinate two simultaneous closings. Pairs that have already done it together dozens of times are a materially smoother experience than assembling a new combination.
| CDC (second mortgage) | Bank (first mortgage) | Projects together |
|---|---|---|
| Brightbridge, Inc | CBBC Bank | 5 |
| South Central Tennessee Business Development Corporation | Bank Five Nine | 3 |
| Brightbridge, Inc | SmartBank | 3 |
| Brightbridge, Inc | Regions Bank | 3 |
| Brightbridge, Inc | Apex Bank | 3 |
| Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, Inc | Valley National Bank | 2 |
| South Central Tennessee Business Development Corporation | The Huntington National Bank | 2 |
| Brightbridge, Inc | Legends Bank | 2 |
How to use this
- Call two CDCs from the table above. Ask whether your project type and county are in their territory, and what their current turnaround is.
- Ask each CDC which banks they close with most. Compare their answer to the pairings table — if it matches, you are on a well-worn path.
- Check the occupancy rule before anything else. You must occupy at least 51% of an existing building, or 60% of new construction. Investment property is not eligible.
- Order the appraisal and Phase I environmental early. They are the most common cause of a delayed 504 closing.
- Understand the rate timing. The CDC portion prices at a debenture sale after closing, not at approval. See the rates page for current levels.
Compare other states
- Busiest 504 markets: California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Utah, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York