Lending data
Who actually lends to construction and contracting businesses in Kentucky?
269 SBA 7(a) loans went to construction and contracting businesses in Kentucky recently, at a median of $125,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
269 SBA 7(a) loans went to construction and contracting businesses in Kentucky in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $125,000 over 10 years. The most active lender was U.S. Bank, with 54 loans.
What lending to construction and contracting businesses in Kentucky 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 | Construction and contracting, Kentucky | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 269 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $50,000 - $328,600 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 10.00% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 33.5% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 7.2% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to construction and contracting businesses in Kentucky. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bank | 54 | $40,000 | 33% | 10.12% |
| The Huntington National Bank | 44 | $90,000 | 41% | 10.38% |
| Republic Bank & Trust Company | 23 | $218,000 | 48% | 8.65% |
| Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company | 21 | $350,000 | 14% | 8.00% |
| Community Trust Bank, Inc | 16 | $100,000 | 31% | 8.00% |
| PNC Bank | 15 | $25,000 | 60% | 11.65% |
| Readycap Lending, LLC | 9 | $134,600 | 33% | 11.25% |
| Fifth Third Bank | 9 | $50,000 | 22% | 12.60% |
| United Midwest Savings Bank | 7 | $150,000 | 100% | 10.50% |
| Northeast Bank | 7 | $150,000 | 14% | 11.25% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loans here run smaller than average. The median of $125,000 is 17% below the $150,000 national median. Smaller loans price higher under the SBA spread caps, so budget for a rate above the headline range.
- Startup share is about average, at 34% against 34% nationally.
- No single lender dominates, but the top three made 45% of these loans, so the shortlist below covers most of the active market.
Which of them lend to new businesses
Of those loans, 33.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Huntington National Bank | 18 | $90,000 | 41% | 10.38% |
| U.S. Bank | 18 | $40,000 | 33% | 10.12% |
| Republic Bank & Trust Company | 11 | $218,000 | 48% | 8.65% |
| PNC Bank | 9 | $25,000 | 60% | 11.65% |
| United Midwest Savings Bank | 7 | $150,000 | 100% | 10.50% |
| Community Trust Bank, Inc | 5 | $100,000 | 31% | 8.00% |
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 Kentucky: restaurants and hotels, retail, personal services, healthcare, professional services, manufacturing
- Construction in comparable states: Nevada, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas