Local lending data
Who lends to businesses in Sussex County?
178 SBA 7(a) loans went to businesses in Sussex County recently, at a median of $67,500. The lenders that made them, ranked, with local rates and startup share.
178 SBA 7(a) loans went to businesses in Sussex County in the most recent fiscal years, at a median of $67,500. The most active lender was Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, with 95 loans.
SBA lending in Sussex County, by the numbers
Every figure here is computed from SBA 7(a) loan-level FOIA data released 2026-06-30 — loans that were actually approved to businesses in this county, not advertised ranges.
| Measure | Sussex County | Delaware | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 178 | 754 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $67,500 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $25,000 - $256,375 | $30,000 - $350,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 10.75% | 10.75% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 37.6% | 39.9% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 | 6.3% | 7.5% | 7.1% |
| Jobs supported | 1,087 | 6,018 | 2,142,602 |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to businesses in Sussex County. The median, startup share and rate columns describe each lender's own loans in this county, not its national averages.
| Lender | Loans | Median loan | Startup share | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | 95 | $30,000 | 40% | 11.50% |
| Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB | 9 | $643,000 | 67% | 10.00% |
| Newtek Bank | 6 | $275,000 | 33% | 10.88% |
| PNC Bank | 6 | $37,500 | 33% | 11.45% |
| Northeast Bank | 6 | $75,000 | 0% | 11.00% |
| Grow America Fund, Incorporated | 5 | $463,000 | 20% | 6.12% |
| TD Bank | 5 | $45,000 | 20% | 11.50% |
| The Huntington National Bank | 5 | $150,000 | 40% | 11.00% |
| Meridian Bank | 4 | $437,500 | 0% | 10.62% |
| First Financial Bank | 3 | $382,000 | 33% | 8.55% |
What stands out here
Reading these figures against the national picture:
- Loans here run smaller than average. The median of $67,500 is 55% 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 38% against 34% nationally.
- One lender dominates. Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company alone made 53% of these loans, and the top three made 62%. 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 higher here. The median initial rate of 10.75% is 0.50 points above the 10.25% national median, which usually tracks loan size and perceived sector risk rather than geography.
Who borrows in Sussex County
The mix of industries taking SBA loans here, led by construction.
| Sector | Loans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 33 | 18.5% |
| Professional Services | 23 | 12.9% |
| Retail | 23 | 12.9% |
| Personal Services | 21 | 11.8% |
| Restaurants and Hotels | 17 | 9.6% |
| Healthcare | 15 | 8.4% |
| Admin Services | 11 | 6.2% |
| Trucking | 7 | 3.9% |
How to use this
- Shortlist three lenders from the table whose median loan in this county is close to what you need. Size match matters more than brand.
- 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 your cash flow supports.
- Follow your sector link in the table above for lender data specific to your industry across Delaware.
Other counties in Delaware
- Nearby markets with published data: New Castle County, Kent County