Local lending data
Who lends to businesses in Newport County?
103 SBA 7(a) loans went to businesses in Newport County recently, at a median of $100,000. The lenders that made them, ranked, with local rates and startup share.
103 SBA 7(a) loans went to businesses in Newport County in the most recent fiscal years, at a median of $100,000. The most active lender was BankNewport, with 55 loans.
SBA lending in Newport 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 | Newport County | Rhode Island | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 103 | 800 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $100,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $50,000 - $150,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 11.00% | 10.25% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 21.4% | 28.0% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 | 3.2% | 5.7% | 7.1% |
| Jobs supported | 500 | 6,415 | 2,142,602 |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to businesses in Newport 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BankNewport | 55 | $60,000 | 14% | 12.25% |
| Citizens Bank | 7 | $1,022,400 | 29% | 10.25% |
| Baycoast Bank | 5 | $64,200 | 40% | 8.50% |
| Webster Bank | 4 | $130,600 | 0% | 9.75% |
| Beacon Bank and Trust | 4 | $231,500 | 0% | 9.75% |
| Readycap Lending, LLC | 4 | $275,000 | 0% | 12.75% |
| TD Bank | 3 | $20,000 | 0% | 12.50% |
| South Eastern Economic Development Corporation | 2 | $126,250 | 50% | 7.00% |
| The Huntington National Bank | 2 | $98,750 | 100% | 10.50% |
| First Bank of the Lake | 2 | $437,000 | 100% | 9.75% |
What stands out here
Reading these figures against the national picture:
- Loans here run smaller than average. The median of $100,000 is 33% 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 21% 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. BankNewport alone made 53% of these loans, and the top three made 65%. 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 11.00% is 0.75 points above 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 3.2% is below the 7.1% overall figure, which is part of why lenders compete for it.
Who borrows in Newport County
The mix of industries taking SBA loans here, led by professional services.
| Sector | Loans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Services | 19 | 18.4% |
| Construction | 17 | 16.5% |
| Restaurants and Hotels | 12 | 11.7% |
| Admin Services | 10 | 9.7% |
| Retail | 9 | 8.7% |
| Healthcare | 7 | 6.8% |
| Personal Services | 5 | 4.9% |
| Manufacturing | 5 | 4.9% |
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 Rhode Island.
Other counties in Rhode Island
- Nearby markets with published data: Providence County, Kent County