Lenders approved 400 SBA 7(a) loans worth $197M for District of Columbia businesses in fiscal years 2024 through 2026, net of cancellations. That ranks 48th of 52 by number of loans and 46th by dollars. The median loan was $201K at a median starting rate of 10.50%. In FY2026 alone, lenders approved 161 District of Columbia loans for $80.5M before cancellations.
What stands out in the District of Columbia
Higher charge-offs on older loans
Of the 134 District of Columbia 7(a) loans approved in FY2020 and FY2021, 12.7% had been charged off by September 2026, against 3.7% nationally. Measured in dollars, 4.7% of the amount approved was charged off (1.0% nationally).
Professional services stands out
Professional services accounted for 19.8% of the District of Columbia's 7(a) loans (79 loans), 1.9 times its 10.2% national share. The median professional services loan in the District of Columbia was $200K at a median rate of 10.50%.
A milder FY2026 drop than the country
District of Columbia approvals went from 178 in FY2025 to 161 in FY2026 (−9.6%), against −28.1% nationally. Dollar volume went from $78.0M to $80.5M (+3.3%).
Light use of SBA 504
The District of Columbia had 16 SBA 504 loans, 0.04 for every 7(a) loan, against 0.10 nationally. The 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-life equipment through a certified development company.
One lender dominates
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company approved 91 of the District of Columbia's 400 SBA 7(a) loans in FY2024 to FY2026, a 22.8% share. The top three lenders together made 36.8%. 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.
How older loans performed
Of the 134 SBA 7(a) loans approved for District of Columbia businesses in FY2020 and FY2021 (not cancelled), 17 had been charged off by September 30, 2026: 12.7% by count and 4.7% 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.
Industries that borrow most in the District of Columbia
| Sector | Loans | Share | Median loan | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | 79 | 19.8% | $200K | 10.50% |
| Restaurants and hotels | 76 | 19.0% | $251K | 10.25% |
| Retail | 67 | 16.8% | $226K | 10.00% |
| Health care | 49 | 12.2% | $170K | 10.50% |
| Other services (repair, personal care) | 40 | 10.0% | $192K | 10.62% |
| Construction | 27 | 6.8% | – | – |
| Administrative and support services | 17 | 4.3% | – | – |
| Education | 10 | 2.5% | – | – |
District of Columbia 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 | 151 | 178 | 161 |
| Dollars approved | $71.2M | $78.0M | $80.5M |
| Loans not cancelled | 130 | 146 | 124 |
| Median loan | $198K | $202K | $210K |
| Median rate | 11.25% | 10.50% | 9.50% |
| Loans of $150K or less | 46.9% | 45.9% | 40.3% |
| SBA Express share | 33.8% | 32.9% | 41.9% |
FY2026 approvals in the District of Columbia changed by −9.6% from FY2025; nationally the change was −28.1%. See why SBA lending fell in FY2026.
What a typical District of Columbia SBA loan looks like
| FY2024-FY2026, not cancelled | District of Columbia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median loan | $201K | $175K |
| Average loan | $493K | $508K |
| Median starting rate | 10.50% | 10.25% |
| Variable-rate loans | 92.0% | 86.4% |
| Median term | 120 months | 120 months |
| Loans of $150K or less | 44.5% | 49.0% |
| Loans of $500K or less | 77.0% | 76.9% |
| Loans of $1M or more | 14.2% | 13.6% |
| Startups (loan opens the business) | 17.2% | 16.1% |
| Startups and businesses 2 years old or less | 32.3% | 32.0% |
| Change of ownership (buying a business) | 10.5% | 10.9% |
| Franchise businesses | 8.0% | 11.0% |
| SBA Express loans | 36.0% | 35.8% |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 3,804 | 1,733,816 |
Top SBA 7(a) lenders in the District of Columbia
| Lender | Loans | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | 91 | 22.8% |
| 2. TD Bank, National Association | 29 | 7.2% |
| 3. Newtek Bank, National Association | 27 | 6.8% |
| 4. Readycap Lending, LLC | 25 | 6.2% |
| 5. The Huntington National Bank | 23 | 5.8% |
| 6. Hanmi Bank | 13 | 3.3% |
Where in the District of Columbia the loans go
| County | Loans |
|---|---|
| District Of Columbia | 400 |
| City | Loans |
|---|---|
| Washington | 398 |
Counts only, and only places with at least 10 loans. No individual businesses are listed.
SBA 504 loans in the District of Columbia
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.
| District of Columbia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 504 loans, FY2024-FY2026 (not cancelled) | 16 | 18,076 |
| 504 dollars | $18.5M | $20.82B |
| Median 504 loan | $1.2M | $742K |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 222 | 190,338 |
SBA district office for the District of Columbia
The District of Columbia loans are overseen by the SBA Washington 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 the District of Columbia
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 the District of Columbia?
Lenders approved 151 SBA 7(a) loans for District of Columbia businesses in FY2024, 178 in FY2025 and 161 in FY2026, before cancellations. Net of cancelled loans, the three years total 400 loans worth $197M, plus 16 SBA 504 loans worth $18.5M.
Which banks make the most SBA loans in the District of Columbia?
In FY2024 to FY2026 the most active 7(a) lenders in the District of Columbia were Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (91 loans, 22.8%), TD Bank, National Association (29 loans, 7.2%), Newtek Bank, National Association (27 loans, 6.8%).
What is the typical SBA loan size and rate in the District of Columbia?
The median 7(a) loan in the District of Columbia was $201K and the average was $493K. The median starting interest rate was 10.50%, 92.0% 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 the District of Columbia 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: Hawaii, Vermont, South Dakota, North Dakota, or see all states.