Local lending data
Who lends to businesses in Hamilton County?
789 SBA 7(a) loans went to businesses in Hamilton County recently, at a median of $150,000. The lenders that made them, ranked, with local rates and startup share.
789 SBA 7(a) loans went to businesses in Hamilton County in the most recent fiscal years, at a median of $150,000. The most active lender was The Huntington National Bank, with 395 loans.
SBA lending in Hamilton 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 | Hamilton County | Ohio | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 789 | 11,134 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $150,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $50,000 - $417,050 | $44,450 - $282,350 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 9.99% | 10.25% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 33.6% | 33.0% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 | 6.6% | 6.1% | 7.1% |
| Jobs supported | 8,626 | 90,372 | 2,142,602 |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to businesses in Hamilton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Huntington National Bank | 395 | $98,200 | 33% | 10.00% |
| U.S. Bank | 70 | $40,000 | 29% | 9.24% |
| First Commonwealth Bank | 34 | $337,000 | 41% | 9.38% |
| KeyBank | 25 | $50,000 | 76% | 10.06% |
| PNC Bank | 23 | $150,000 | 30% | 8.13% |
| Fifth Third Bank | 17 | $100,000 | 41% | 9.00% |
| Northeast Bank | 13 | $109,700 | 8% | 10.75% |
| RiverHills Bank | 12 | $242,500 | 25% | 7.88% |
| Newtek Bank | 11 | $100,000 | 0% | 10.00% |
| First Financial Bank | 11 | $335,000 | 27% | 8.49% |
What stands out here
Reading these figures against the national picture:
- Loan sizes are typical. The median of $150,000 is within a few percent of the $150,000 national median across all 7(a) borrowers, so nothing about this market is unusual on size.
- Startup share is about average, at 34% against 34% nationally.
- One lender dominates. The Huntington National Bank alone made 50% of these loans, and the top three made 63%. 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.
Who borrows in Hamilton County
The mix of industries taking SBA loans here, led by restaurants and hotels.
| Sector | Loans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and Hotels | 113 | 14.3% |
| Retail | 110 | 13.9% |
| Professional Services | 79 | 10.0% |
| Construction | 79 | 10.0% |
| Trucking | 76 | 9.6% |
| Healthcare | 75 | 9.5% |
| Personal Services | 72 | 9.1% |
| Manufacturing | 52 | 6.6% |
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 Ohio.
Other counties in Ohio
- Nearby markets with published data: Franklin County, Cuyahoga County, Summit County, Stark County, Montgomery County, Lucas County, Delaware County, Lorain County