Lending data
Who actually lends to finance and insurance businesses in Tennessee?
57 SBA 7(a) loans went to finance and insurance businesses in Tennessee recently, at a median of $205,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
57 SBA 7(a) loans went to finance and insurance businesses in Tennessee in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $205,000 over 10 years. The most active lender was Live Oak Banking Company, with 7 loans.
What lending to finance and insurance businesses in Tennessee actually looks like
Every figure on this page is computed from SBA 7(a) loan-level FOIA data released 2026-06-30. It reflects loans that were actually approved, not rate cards or advertised ranges.
| Measure | Finance and insurance, Tennessee | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 57 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $205,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $150,000 - $475,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 10.25% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 19.3% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 6.0% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to finance and insurance businesses in Tennessee. This is the list worth working from, because a lender that has funded dozens of businesses like yours in your state has seen your file before.
| Lender | Loans | Median loan | Startup share | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak Banking Company | 7 | $575,000 | 14% | 9.50% |
| Readycap Lending, LLC | 6 | $170,000 | 0% | 12.25% |
| U.S. Bank | 5 | $50,000 | 60% | 8.99% |
| Byline Bank | 5 | $525,000 | 40% | 9.75% |
| Newtek Bank | 4 | $106,500 | 25% | 11.25% |
| Regions Bank | 4 | $490,150 | 25% | 8.50% |
| BayFirst National Bank | 3 | $150,000 | 33% | 11.25% |
| Capital Bank | 3 | $250,000 | 67% | 11.25% |
| Celtic Bank Corporation | 2 | $150,000 | 0% | 10.62% |
| SouthState Bank | 2 | $225,000 | 0% | 11.25% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loans here run larger than average. The median of $205,000 is 37% above the $150,000 national median. Expect lenders in this market to be geared toward bigger deals, and expect a small request to get less attention.
- This is a hard market for new businesses. Only 19% 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.
- No single lender dominates, but the top three made 32% of these loans, so the shortlist below covers most of the active market.
Which of them lend to new businesses
Of those loans, 19.3% went to businesses the SBA classes as startups — new, under two years old, or opening with the proceeds. These are the lenders in this market that actually wrote them.
| Lender | Loans | Median loan | Startup share | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bank | 3 | $50,000 | 60% | 8.99% |
| Capital Bank | 2 | $250,000 | 67% | 11.25% |
| Byline Bank | 2 | $525,000 | 40% | 9.75% |
How to use this
- Shortlist three lenders from the table whose median loan is close to what you need.
- 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 the cash flow supports.
- Assemble the package before you call. The document checklist is the single biggest thing you control.
Compare other markets
- Other sectors in Tennessee: restaurants and hotels, construction, personal services, retail, professional services, admin services
- Finance in comparable states: Oregon, Maryland, South Carolina, Washington, Utah, Indiana