Lending data
Who actually lends to real estate and rental businesses in North Carolina?
113 SBA 7(a) loans went to real estate and rental businesses in North Carolina recently, at a median of $392,200. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
113 SBA 7(a) loans went to real estate and rental businesses in North Carolina in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $392,200 over 10 years. The most active lender was Live Oak Banking Company, with 30 loans.
What lending to real estate and rental businesses in North Carolina 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 | Real estate and rental, North Carolina | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 113 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $392,200 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $150,000 - $1,171,750 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 10.00% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 36.3% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 4.1% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to real estate and rental businesses in North Carolina. 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 | 30 | $1,037,500 | 47% | 8.50% |
| Northeast Bank | 6 | $150,000 | 17% | 11.00% |
| United Midwest Savings Bank | 6 | $150,000 | 100% | 11.25% |
| Newtek Bank | 6 | $450,000 | 0% | 11.12% |
| Bank Five Nine | 5 | $591,000 | 40% | 8.75% |
| Celtic Bank Corporation | 5 | $100,000 | 20% | 11.75% |
| The Fidelity Bank | 4 | $734,250 | 50% | 9.75% |
| Readycap Lending, LLC | 4 | $50,000 | 25% | 14.12% |
| First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company | 3 | $770,000 | 33% | 9.75% |
| TD Bank | 3 | $25,000 | 67% | 10.50% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loans here run larger than average. The median of $392,200 is 161% 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.
- Startup share is about average, at 36% against 34% nationally.
- One lender dominates. Live Oak Banking Company alone made 27% of these loans, and the top three made 37%. 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 4.1% is below the 7.1% overall figure, which is part of why lenders compete for it.
Which of them lend to new businesses
Of those loans, 36.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak Banking Company | 14 | $1,037,500 | 47% | 8.50% |
| United Midwest Savings Bank | 6 | $150,000 | 100% | 11.25% |
| Bank Five Nine | 2 | $591,000 | 40% | 8.75% |
| The Fidelity Bank | 2 | $734,250 | 50% | 9.75% |
| TD Bank | 2 | $25,000 | 67% | 10.50% |
| First Bank | 2 | $1,845,700 | 100% | 10.25% |
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 North Carolina: restaurants and hotels, construction, retail, personal services, professional services, healthcare
- Real Estate in comparable states: Washington, Arizona, Minnesota, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Utah