Local lending data
Who lends to businesses in Benton County?
154 SBA 7(a) loans went to businesses in Benton County recently, at a median of $99,200. The lenders that made them, ranked, with local rates and startup share.
154 SBA 7(a) loans went to businesses in Benton County in the most recent fiscal years, at a median of $99,200. The most active lender was HAPO Community CU, with 29 loans.
SBA lending in Benton 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 | Benton County | Washington | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 154 | 6,051 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $99,200 | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $50,000 - $270,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 9.75% | 10.25% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 27.9% | 29.4% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 | 6.1% | 4.9% | 7.1% |
| Jobs supported | 1,530 | 52,575 | 2,142,602 |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to businesses in Benton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAPO Community CU | 29 | $40,000 | 41% | 8.50% |
| Banner Bank | 16 | $60,300 | 0% | 9.00% |
| Columbia Bank | 14 | $50,000 | 0% | 12.88% |
| U.S. Bank | 12 | $50,000 | 50% | 10.99% |
| Gesa CU | 10 | $101,900 | 0% | 10.50% |
| KeyBank | 6 | $50,000 | 67% | 11.40% |
| Numerica CU | 6 | $327,750 | 33% | 9.00% |
| Newtek Bank | 6 | $200,000 | 17% | 11.25% |
| JPMorgan Chase Bank | 5 | $100,000 | 20% | 10.40% |
| BayFirst National Bank | 5 | $150,000 | 0% | 13.25% |
What stands out here
Reading these figures against the national picture:
- Loans here run smaller than average. The median of $99,200 is 34% 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 28% against 34% nationally.
- No single lender dominates, but the top three made 38% of these loans, so the shortlist below covers most of the active market.
- Rates run lower here. The median initial rate of 9.75% is 0.50 points below the 10.25% national median, which usually tracks loan size and perceived sector risk rather than geography.
Who borrows in Benton County
The mix of industries taking SBA loans here, led by construction.
| Sector | Loans | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 35 | 22.7% |
| Restaurants and Hotels | 21 | 13.6% |
| Healthcare | 17 | 11.0% |
| Personal Services | 14 | 9.1% |
| Manufacturing | 12 | 7.8% |
| Retail | 12 | 7.8% |
| Professional Services | 10 | 6.5% |
| Trucking | 9 | 5.8% |
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 Washington.
Other counties in Washington
- Nearby markets with published data: King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, Clark County, Spokane County, Thurston County, Kitsap County, Whatcom County