Florida businesses took out 13,775 SBA 7(a) loans worth $7.65B in fiscal years 2024 to 2026, counting only loans that were not cancelled. That ranks 3rd of 52 by number of loans and 3rd by dollars. The median loan was $245K at a median starting rate of 10.50%. In FY2026 alone, lenders approved 4,559 Florida loans for $2.76B before cancellations.
What stands out in Florida
Higher charge-offs on older loans
Of the 4,858 Florida 7(a) loans approved in FY2020 and FY2021, 6.7% had been charged off by September 2026, against 3.7% nationally. Measured in dollars, 1.6% of the amount approved was charged off (1.0% nationally).
Wholesale trade stands out
Wholesale trade accounted for 6.3% of Florida's 7(a) loans (868 loans), 1.6 times its 4.0% national share. The median wholesale trade loan in Florida was $250K at a median rate of 10.50%.
Bigger loans than average
The median 7(a) loan in Florida was $245K, above the national median of $175K. 43.3% of Florida loans were $150,000 or less (49.0% nationally) and 14.9% were $1 million or more (13.6% nationally). Business purchases (11.1% of Florida loans) and franchises (11.9%) are two of the usual drivers of bigger tickets.
How older loans performed
Of the 4,858 SBA 7(a) loans approved for Florida businesses in FY2020 and FY2021 (not cancelled), 327 had been charged off by September 30, 2026: 6.7% 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.
Industries that borrow most in Florida
| Sector | Loans | Share | Median loan | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 1,937 | 14.1% | $225K | 10.50% |
| Professional services | 1,655 | 12.0% | $150K | 10.50% |
| Health care | 1,562 | 11.3% | $300K | 10.25% |
| Other services (repair, personal care) | 1,348 | 9.8% | $189K | 10.50% |
| Restaurants and hotels | 1,295 | 9.4% | $414K | 10.25% |
| Retail | 1,264 | 9.2% | $209K | 10.75% |
| Administrative and support services | 978 | 7.1% | $184K | 10.50% |
| Wholesale trade | 868 | 6.3% | $250K | 10.50% |
Florida 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 | 5,904 | 6,302 | 4,559 |
| Dollars approved | $2.83B | $3.22B | $2.76B |
| Loans not cancelled | 5,117 | 4,900 | 3,758 |
| Median loan | $180K | $250K | $281K |
| Median rate | 11.25% | 10.50% | 9.50% |
| Loans of $150K or less | 48.9% | 42.7% | 36.3% |
| SBA Express share | 33.2% | 28.0% | 27.1% |
FY2026 approvals in Florida changed by −27.7% from FY2025; nationally the change was −28.1%. See why SBA lending fell in FY2026.
What a typical Florida SBA loan looks like
| FY2024-FY2026, not cancelled | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median loan | $245K | $175K |
| Average loan | $555K | $508K |
| Median starting rate | 10.50% | 10.25% |
| Variable-rate loans | 91.1% | 86.4% |
| Median term | 120 months | 120 months |
| Loans of $150K or less | 43.3% | 49.0% |
| Loans of $500K or less | 74.3% | 76.9% |
| Loans of $1M or more | 14.9% | 13.6% |
| Startups (loan opens the business) | 15.0% | 16.1% |
| Startups and businesses 2 years old or less | 28.5% | 32.0% |
| Change of ownership (buying a business) | 11.1% | 10.9% |
| Franchise businesses | 11.9% | 11.0% |
| SBA Express loans | 29.7% | 35.8% |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 137,689 | 1,733,816 |
Most frequent franchise brands among Florida 7(a) loans: The UPS Store (46), Hotworx (26), The Back Nine (21), JETSET Pilates (14), Scenthound (13).
Top SBA 7(a) lenders in Florida
| Lender | Loans | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| 1. TD Bank, National Association | 1,531 | 11.1% |
| 2. Newtek Bank, National Association | 1,168 | 8.5% |
| 3. Readycap Lending, LLC | 935 | 6.8% |
| 4. The Huntington National Bank | 879 | 6.4% |
| 5. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 600 | 4.4% |
| 6. Northeast Bank | 598 | 4.3% |
| 7. Live Oak Banking Company | 554 | 4.0% |
| 8. BayFirst National Bank | 526 | 3.8% |
| 9. Wells Fargo Bank National Association | 486 | 3.5% |
| 10. Bank of America, National Association | 425 | 3.1% |
Where in Florida the loans go
| County | Loans |
|---|---|
| Miami-dade | 2,534 |
| Broward | 1,599 |
| Palm Beach | 1,267 |
| Hillsborough | 962 |
| Orange | 957 |
| Pinellas | 649 |
| Duval | 490 |
| Lee | 482 |
| City | Loans |
|---|---|
| Miami | 1,407 |
| Orlando | 683 |
| Tampa | 611 |
| Jacksonville | 439 |
| Fort Lauderdale | 275 |
| Boca Raton | 259 |
| Sarasota | 248 |
| Hialeah | 238 |
Counts only, and only places with at least 10 loans. No individual businesses are listed.
SBA 504 loans in Florida
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.
| Florida | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 504 loans, FY2024-FY2026 (not cancelled) | 1,816 | 18,076 |
| 504 dollars | $2.02B | $20.82B |
| Median 504 loan | $708K | $742K |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 16,265 | 190,338 |
| Most active CDCs | 504 loans |
|---|---|
| Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, Inc. | 868 |
| Florida Business Development Corporation | 841 |
| Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation | 93 |
SBA district office for Florida
Florida loans are split between the South Florida District Office (73% of loans) and the North Florida District Office (27% of loans). 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 Florida
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 Florida?
Lenders approved 5,904 SBA 7(a) loans for Florida businesses in FY2024, 6,302 in FY2025 and 4,559 in FY2026, before cancellations. Net of cancelled loans, the three years total 13,775 loans worth $7.65B, plus 1,816 SBA 504 loans worth $2.02B.
Which banks make the most SBA loans in Florida?
In FY2024 to FY2026 the most active 7(a) lenders in Florida were TD Bank, National Association (1,531 loans, 11.1%), Newtek Bank, National Association (1,168 loans, 8.5%), Readycap Lending, LLC (935 loans, 6.8%).
What is the typical SBA loan size and rate in Florida?
The median 7(a) loan in Florida was $245K and the average was $555K. The median starting interest rate was 10.50%, 91.1% 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 Florida 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: California, Texas, New York, Ohio, or see all states.