Local lending data
Who lends to businesses in Belknap County?
111 SBA 7(a) loans went to businesses in Belknap County recently, at a median of $60,000. The lenders that made them, ranked, with local rates and startup share.
111 SBA 7(a) loans went to businesses in Belknap County in the most recent fiscal years, at a median of $60,000. The most active lender was Meredith Village Savings Bank, with 38 loans.
SBA lending in Belknap 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 | Belknap County | New Hampshire | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 111 | 1,743 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $60,000 | $90,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $26,800 - $115,000 | $39,700 - $222,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 10.00% | 10.00% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 23.4% | 30.1% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 | 5.0% | 5.3% | 7.1% |
| Jobs supported | 538 | 12,524 | 2,142,602 |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to businesses in Belknap 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meredith Village Savings Bank | 38 | $50,000 | 5% | 10.62% |
| TD Bank | 29 | $40,000 | 34% | 11.00% |
| Bank of New Hampshire | 9 | $100,000 | 33% | 8.00% |
| Camden National Bank | 6 | $45,000 | 0% | 9.34% |
| Live Oak Banking Company | 5 | $1,090,000 | 40% | 8.60% |
| Merrimack County Savings Bank | 4 | $137,500 | 25% | 7.50% |
| Readycap Lending, LLC | 4 | $402,000 | 0% | 10.25% |
| Bangor Savings Bank | 3 | $85,000 | 67% | 9.38% |
| Primary Bank | 2 | $1,465,000 | 50% | 7.50% |
| Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | 2 | $45,000 | 0% | 12.00% |
What stands out here
Reading these figures against the national picture:
- Loans here run smaller than average. The median of $60,000 is 60% below the $150,000 national median. Smaller loans price higher under the SBA spread caps, so budget for a rate above the headline range.
- This is a hard market for new businesses. Only 23% of these loans went to startups, against 34% nationally. If you are pre-revenue, work from the startup table below rather than the main list.
- One lender dominates. Meredith Village Savings Bank alone made 34% of these loans, and the top three made 68%. 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.
- This market has performed well. Its FY2010-2019 charge-off rate of 5.0% is below the 7.1% overall figure, which is part of why lenders compete for it.
Who borrows in Belknap County
The mix of industries taking SBA loans here, led by construction.
| Sector | Loans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 33 | 29.7% |
| Personal Services | 16 | 14.4% |
| Restaurants and Hotels | 14 | 12.6% |
| Professional Services | 12 | 10.8% |
| Admin Services | 8 | 7.2% |
| Retail | 8 | 7.2% |
| Trucking | 5 | 4.5% |
| Healthcare | 5 | 4.5% |
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 New Hampshire.
Other counties in New Hampshire
- Nearby markets with published data: Rockingham County, Hillsborough County, Merrimack County, Strafford County, Carroll County, Grafton County