From October 2023 through September 2026, Connecticut businesses received 2,326 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $845M, net of cancellations. That ranks 24th of 52 by number of loans and 28th by dollars. The median loan was $120K at a median starting rate of 10.50%. In FY2026 alone, lenders approved 850 Connecticut loans for $298M before cancellations.
What stands out in Connecticut
One lender dominates
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company approved 632 of Connecticut's 2,326 SBA 7(a) loans in FY2024 to FY2026, a 27.2% share. The top three lenders together made 44.8%. For comparison, the largest 7(a) lender nationally, The Huntington National Bank, holds 10.3% of all loans. When one bank makes this many of a state's loans, its pricing and credit appetite set the tone, so a second quote is worth getting.
SBA Express is the main channel
55.9% of Connecticut's 7(a) loans were made through SBA Express, against 35.8% nationally. Express loans are capped at $500,000 and the lender makes the credit decision itself, so they move faster but are smaller. The median Connecticut loan was $120K (national median $175K).
A milder FY2026 drop than the country
Connecticut approvals went from 1,005 in FY2025 to 850 in FY2026 (−15.4%), against −28.1% nationally. Dollar volume went from $389M to $298M (−23.2%).
Fewer business purchases
7.2% of Connecticut 7(a) loans financed a change of ownership, that is, buying an existing business, against 10.9% nationally. Most Connecticut loans fund existing owners rather than buyers.
Smaller loans than average
The median 7(a) loan in Connecticut was $120K, below the national median of $175K. 59.5% of Connecticut loans were $150,000 or less (49.0% nationally) and 9.0% were $1 million or more (13.6% nationally).
Top SBA 7(a) lenders in Connecticut
| Lender | Loans | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | 632 | 27.2% |
| 2. TD Bank, National Association | 218 | 9.4% |
| 3. Santander Bank, National Association | 190 | 8.2% |
| 4. Liberty Bank | 132 | 5.7% |
| 5. Newtek Bank, National Association | 125 | 5.4% |
| 6. Live Oak Banking Company | 88 | 3.8% |
| 7. KeyBank National Association | 72 | 3.1% |
| 8. Readycap Lending, LLC | 66 | 2.8% |
| 9. BayFirst National Bank | 56 | 2.4% |
| 10. Northeast Bank | 54 | 2.3% |
What a typical Connecticut SBA loan looks like
| FY2024-FY2026, not cancelled | Connecticut | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median loan | $120K | $175K |
| Average loan | $363K | $508K |
| Median starting rate | 10.50% | 10.25% |
| Variable-rate loans | 88.7% | 86.4% |
| Median term | 120 months | 120 months |
| Loans of $150K or less | 59.5% | 49.0% |
| Loans of $500K or less | 84.9% | 76.9% |
| Loans of $1M or more | 9.0% | 13.6% |
| Startups (loan opens the business) | 13.4% | 16.1% |
| Startups and businesses 2 years old or less | 32.5% | 32.0% |
| Change of ownership (buying a business) | 7.2% | 10.9% |
| Franchise businesses | 8.0% | 11.0% |
| SBA Express loans | 55.9% | 35.8% |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 19,313 | 1,733,816 |
Connecticut SBA 7(a) loans by fiscal year
SBA fiscal years run October to September, so FY2026 covers October 2025 through September 2026. "Approved" counts every loan SBA guaranteed, the basis of SBA's own published totals; "not cancelled" drops loans that were later cancelled before or after funding. FY2026 loans are recent, so some of them may still be cancelled.
| FY2024 | FY2025 | FY2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 902 | 1,005 | 850 |
| Dollars approved | $319M | $389M | $298M |
| Loans not cancelled | 786 | 802 | 738 |
| Median loan | $120K | $130K | $100K |
| Median rate | 11.50% | 10.50% | 9.75% |
| Loans of $150K or less | 61.8% | 58.1% | 58.4% |
| SBA Express share | 52.9% | 52.5% | 62.7% |
FY2026 approvals in Connecticut changed by −15.4% from FY2025; nationally the change was −28.1%. See why SBA lending fell in FY2026.
Industries that borrow most in Connecticut
| Sector | Loans | Share | Median loan | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 395 | 17.0% | $115K | 10.75% |
| Retail | 293 | 12.6% | $100K | 10.50% |
| Restaurants and hotels | 252 | 10.8% | $126K | 10.50% |
| Other services (repair, personal care) | 234 | 10.1% | $88K | 10.50% |
| Health care | 228 | 9.8% | $150K | 10.50% |
| Professional services | 190 | 8.2% | $147K | 10.62% |
| Administrative and support services | 167 | 7.2% | $100K | 10.50% |
| Manufacturing | 160 | 6.9% | $250K | 10.00% |
Where in Connecticut the loans go
| County | Loans |
|---|---|
| Capitol | 593 |
| Western Ct | 436 |
| South Central Ct | 347 |
| Naugatuck Vly | 247 |
| Greater Bridgeport | 225 |
| Lower Ct River Vly | 120 |
| Southeastern Ct | 98 |
| Nw Hills | 69 |
| City | Loans |
|---|---|
| Stamford | 81 |
| Bridgeport | 74 |
| Norwalk | 72 |
| New Haven | 65 |
| Hartford | 65 |
| Danbury | 56 |
| Hamden | 53 |
| Glastonbury | 51 |
Counts only, and only places with at least 10 loans. No individual businesses are listed.
SBA 504 loans in Connecticut
The SBA 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-life equipment. A certified development company (CDC) lends up to 40% of the project with an SBA-backed debenture, a bank typically lends about 50%, and the business puts in the rest. The amounts below are the CDC portion.
| Connecticut | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 504 loans, FY2024-FY2026 (not cancelled) | 258 | 18,076 |
| 504 dollars | $261M | $20.82B |
| Median 504 loan | $581K | $742K |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 1,827 | 190,338 |
| Most active CDCs | 504 loans |
|---|---|
| Community Investment Corporation | 123 |
| New England Certified Development Corporation | 120 |
How older loans performed
Of the 933 SBA 7(a) loans approved for Connecticut businesses in FY2020 and FY2021 (not cancelled), 45 had been charged off by September 30, 2026: 4.8% by count and 1.6% of dollars approved. The national figures are 3.7% and 1.0%. Loans from these years have had five to seven years to season, so they say more about losses than recent loans do.
SBA district office for Connecticut
Connecticut loans are overseen by the SBA Connecticut District Office. District offices do not make loans; they support lenders and borrowers and point businesses to local resource partners. Contact details are on SBA's local assistance page.
Comparing SBA and other funding in Connecticut
An SBA loan is often the cheapest long-term money a small business can get, but approval takes weeks and the 2025 and 2026 rule changes narrowed who qualifies. FSE (Funding Solutions Experts) is an independent commercial finance brokerage. We are not an SBA lender and are not affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration; one application lets us compare SBA and non-SBA options from our funding partners side by side.
- No fee to your business: we are paid a commission by the funding partner.
- No credit check to apply.
- To be considered, a business generally needs at least 1 year in business and $10,000 or more in monthly revenue.
Read what an SBA loan is and how the programs work or our SBA and term loans guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many SBA loans were made in Connecticut?
Lenders approved 902 SBA 7(a) loans for Connecticut businesses in FY2024, 1,005 in FY2025 and 850 in FY2026, before cancellations. Net of cancelled loans, the three years total 2,326 loans worth $845M, plus 258 SBA 504 loans worth $261M.
Which banks make the most SBA loans in Connecticut?
In FY2024 to FY2026 the most active 7(a) lenders in Connecticut were Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (632 loans, 27.2%), TD Bank, National Association (218 loans, 9.4%), Santander Bank, National Association (190 loans, 8.2%).
What is the typical SBA loan size and rate in Connecticut?
The median 7(a) loan in Connecticut was $120K and the average was $363K. The median starting interest rate was 10.50%, 88.7% of loans had a variable rate, and the median term was 120 months.
Source and method
Figures come from the U.S. Small Business Administration's 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan files (as of September 30, 2026), aggregated by FSE. Loans are assigned to Connecticut by project state. Profile figures cover FY2024-FY2026 loans that were not cancelled. We publish aggregates only: no borrower names or addresses, and no figure based on fewer than 10 loans. Full details are in the methodology, and every state's figures can be downloaded as CSV.
Compare nearby states by volume: Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, or see all states.