Lending data
Who actually lends to farms and agricultural businesses in North Carolina?
55 SBA 7(a) loans went to farms and agricultural businesses in North Carolina recently, at a median of $426,500. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
55 SBA 7(a) loans went to farms and agricultural businesses in North Carolina in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $426,500 over 12 years. The most active lender was First Financial Bank, with 20 loans.
What lending to farms and agricultural businesses in North Carolina actually looks like
Every figure on this page is computed from SBA 7(a) loan-level FOIA data released 2026-06-30. It reflects loans that were actually approved, not rate cards or advertised ranges.
| Measure | Agriculture and farming, North Carolina | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 55 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $426,500 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $80,000 - $1,670,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 12 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 8.45% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 34.5% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 1.7% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to farms and agricultural businesses in North Carolina. This is the list worth working from, because a lender that has funded dozens of businesses like yours in your state has seen your file before.
| Lender | Loans | Median loan | Startup share | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Financial Bank | 20 | $497,000 | 25% | 8.15% |
| Live Oak Banking Company | 12 | $2,297,500 | 50% | 8.05% |
| First Community Bank | 3 | $50,100 | 0% | 7.00% |
| Bank of Oak Ridge | 2 | $185,000 | 100% | 10.75% |
| BayFirst National Bank | 2 | $94,500 | 0% | 13.00% |
| Celtic Bank Corporation | 2 | $101,750 | 0% | 11.62% |
| Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company | 2 | $472,500 | 100% | 11.25% |
| SouthState Bank | 2 | $256,500 | 0% | 9.62% |
| TD Bank | 2 | $20,000 | 100% | 9.62% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loans here run larger than average. The median of $426,500 is 184% above the $150,000 national median. Expect lenders in this market to be geared toward bigger deals, and expect a small request to get less attention.
- Startup share is about average, at 34% against 34% nationally.
- One lender dominates. First Financial Bank alone made 36% of these loans, and the top three made 64%. That concentration usually means a lender with a dedicated program for this sector — worth starting there, but get a second quote so you know the terms are competitive.
- Rates run lower here. The median initial rate of 8.45% is 1.80 points below the 10.25% national median, which usually tracks loan size and perceived sector risk rather than geography.
- This market has performed well. Its FY2010-2019 charge-off rate of 1.7% is below the 7.1% overall figure, which is part of why lenders compete for it.
Which of them lend to new businesses
Of those loans, 34.5% went to businesses the SBA classes as startups — new, under two years old, or opening with the proceeds. These are the lenders in this market that actually wrote them.
| Lender | Loans | Median loan | Startup share | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak Banking Company | 6 | $2,297,500 | 50% | 8.05% |
| First Financial Bank | 5 | $497,000 | 25% | 8.15% |
| Bank of Oak Ridge | 2 | $185,000 | 100% | 10.75% |
| Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company | 2 | $472,500 | 100% | 11.25% |
| TD Bank | 2 | $20,000 | 100% | 9.62% |
How to use this
- Shortlist three lenders from the table whose median loan is close to what you need.
- Ask each whether they are a Preferred Lender and how many 7(a) loans they closed last year. See choosing an SBA lender.
- Check your coverage first with the affordability calculator so you ask for a number the cash flow supports.
- Assemble the package before you call. The document checklist is the single biggest thing you control.
Compare other markets
- Other sectors in North Carolina: restaurants and hotels, construction, retail, personal services, professional services, healthcare
- Agriculture in comparable states: Florida, Wisconsin, Alabama, New York, Maine, Georgia