Nevada businesses took out 1,908 SBA 7(a) loans worth $967M in fiscal years 2024 to 2026, counting only loans that were not cancelled. That ranks 28th of 52 by number of loans and 26th by dollars. The median loan was $192K at a median starting rate of 10.25%. In FY2026 alone, lenders approved 614 Nevada loans for $352M before cancellations.
What stands out in Nevada
Lending clusters in one county
Clark County alone accounted for 73.4% of Nevada's 7(a) loans (1,401 loans), and Las Vegas was the most frequent borrower city with 1,034. The next county, Washoe, had 16.7%.
Higher charge-offs on older loans
Of the 719 Nevada 7(a) loans approved in FY2020 and FY2021, 6.1% had been charged off by September 2026, against 3.7% nationally. Measured in dollars, 1.0% of the amount approved was charged off (1.0% nationally).
Fewer business purchases
7.5% of Nevada 7(a) loans financed a change of ownership, that is, buying an existing business, against 10.9% nationally. Most Nevada loans fund existing owners rather than buyers.
Where in Nevada the loans go
| County | Loans |
|---|---|
| Clark | 1,401 |
| Washoe | 318 |
| Douglas | 41 |
| Carson City | 37 |
| Nye | 26 |
| Lyon | 21 |
| Elko | 19 |
| Humboldt | 14 |
| City | Loans |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas | 1,034 |
| Henderson | 241 |
| Reno | 214 |
| North Las Vegas | 96 |
| Sparks | 86 |
| Carson City | 40 |
| Pahrump | 25 |
| Minden | 17 |
Counts only, and only places with at least 10 loans. No individual businesses are listed.
How older loans performed
Of the 719 SBA 7(a) loans approved for Nevada businesses in FY2020 and FY2021 (not cancelled), 44 had been charged off by September 30, 2026: 6.1% by count and 1.0% 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.
Nevada 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 | 748 | 881 | 614 |
| Dollars approved | $356M | $398M | $352M |
| Loans not cancelled | 650 | 718 | 540 |
| Median loan | $150K | $150K | $225K |
| Median rate | 11.25% | 10.25% | 9.50% |
| Loans of $150K or less | 51.4% | 50.3% | 42.8% |
| SBA Express share | 35.8% | 33.0% | 34.3% |
FY2026 approvals in Nevada changed by −30.3% from FY2025; nationally the change was −28.1%. See why SBA lending fell in FY2026.
What a typical Nevada SBA loan looks like
| FY2024-FY2026, not cancelled | Nevada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median loan | $192K | $175K |
| Average loan | $507K | $508K |
| Median starting rate | 10.25% | 10.25% |
| Variable-rate loans | 82.8% | 86.4% |
| Median term | 120 months | 120 months |
| Loans of $150K or less | 48.5% | 49.0% |
| Loans of $500K or less | 75.0% | 76.9% |
| Loans of $1M or more | 14.3% | 13.6% |
| Startups (loan opens the business) | 14.3% | 16.1% |
| Startups and businesses 2 years old or less | 36.4% | 32.0% |
| Change of ownership (buying a business) | 7.5% | 10.9% |
| Franchise businesses | 10.2% | 11.0% |
| SBA Express loans | 34.3% | 35.8% |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 20,809 | 1,733,816 |
Top SBA 7(a) lenders in Nevada
| Lender | Loans | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| 1. U.S. Bank, National Association | 317 | 16.6% |
| 2. Zions Bancorporation, National Association | 266 | 13.9% |
| 3. Wells Fargo Bank National Association | 131 | 6.9% |
| 4. Newtek Bank, National Association | 117 | 6.1% |
| 5. Northeast Bank | 84 | 4.4% |
| 6. Readycap Lending, LLC | 76 | 4.0% |
| 7. The Huntington National Bank | 66 | 3.5% |
| 8. America First Federal Credit Union | 64 | 3.4% |
| 9. Live Oak Banking Company | 63 | 3.3% |
| 10. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 52 | 2.7% |
Industries that borrow most in Nevada
| Sector | Loans | Share | Median loan | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and hotels | 248 | 13.0% | $350K | 9.75% |
| Construction | 231 | 12.1% | $150K | 10.25% |
| Other services (repair, personal care) | 226 | 11.8% | $150K | 10.00% |
| Professional services | 221 | 11.6% | $124K | 10.75% |
| Health care | 215 | 11.3% | $275K | 9.80% |
| Retail | 187 | 9.8% | $200K | 10.25% |
| Administrative and support services | 108 | 5.7% | $150K | 10.62% |
| Manufacturing | 88 | 4.6% | $203K | 10.12% |
SBA 504 loans in Nevada
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.
| Nevada | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 504 loans, FY2024-FY2026 (not cancelled) | 285 | 18,076 |
| 504 dollars | $345M | $20.82B |
| Median 504 loan | $852K | $742K |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 3,553 | 190,338 |
| Most active CDCs | 504 loans |
|---|---|
| Nevada State Development Corporation | 125 |
| The Mortgage Capital Development Corporation | 88 |
| California Statewide Certified Development Corporation | 52 |
| Mountain West Small Business Finance | 10 |
SBA district office for Nevada
Nevada loans are overseen by the SBA Nevada 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 Nevada
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 Nevada?
Lenders approved 748 SBA 7(a) loans for Nevada businesses in FY2024, 881 in FY2025 and 614 in FY2026, before cancellations. Net of cancelled loans, the three years total 1,908 loans worth $967M, plus 285 SBA 504 loans worth $345M.
Which banks make the most SBA loans in Nevada?
In FY2024 to FY2026 the most active 7(a) lenders in Nevada were U.S. Bank, National Association (317 loans, 16.6%), Zions Bancorporation, National Association (266 loans, 13.9%), Wells Fargo Bank National Association (131 loans, 6.9%).
What is the typical SBA loan size and rate in Nevada?
The median 7(a) loan in Nevada was $192K and the average was $507K. The median starting interest rate was 10.25%, 82.8% 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 Nevada 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: South Carolina, Idaho, Puerto Rico, New Hampshire, or see all states.