From October 2023 through September 2026, Oklahoma businesses received 1,254 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $845M, net of cancellations. That ranks 33rd of 52 by number of loans and 27th by dollars. The median loan was $263K at a median starting rate of 9.50%. In FY2026 alone, lenders approved 461 Oklahoma loans for $333M before cancellations.
What stands out in Oklahoma
A milder FY2026 drop than the country
Oklahoma approvals went from 510 in FY2025 to 461 in FY2026 (−9.6%), against −28.1% nationally. Dollar volume went from $306M to $333M (+8.8%).
More startup lending
Loans to open a new business made up 25.9% of Oklahoma's 7(a) loans, against 16.1% nationally; counting businesses two years old or younger, the share is 39.9%.
Lower rates than average
The median starting rate on Oklahoma 7(a) loans was 9.50%, against 10.25% nationally, and 12.0% of loans carried a fixed rate (13.6% nationally). SBA caps the spread a lender can charge over the base rate, and smaller loans are allowed higher spreads, so a state's loan-size mix moves its median rate.
Bigger loans than average
The median 7(a) loan in Oklahoma was $263K, above the national median of $175K. 36.5% of Oklahoma loans were $150,000 or less (49.0% nationally) and 18.7% were $1 million or more (13.6% nationally). Business purchases (13.4% of Oklahoma loans) and franchises (13.0%) are two of the usual drivers of bigger tickets.
Few SBA Express loans
24.6% of Oklahoma'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. More Oklahoma loans go through standard 7(a) processing, which takes longer but allows amounts up to $5 million.
Oklahoma 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 | 478 | 510 | 461 |
| Dollars approved | $315M | $306M | $333M |
| Loans not cancelled | 429 | 420 | 405 |
| Median loan | $250K | $261K | $300K |
| Median rate | 10.25% | 9.50% | 8.50% |
| Loans of $150K or less | 38.0% | 37.4% | 34.1% |
| SBA Express share | 23.1% | 23.3% | 27.4% |
FY2026 approvals in Oklahoma changed by −9.6% from FY2025; nationally the change was −28.1%. See why SBA lending fell in FY2026.
What a typical Oklahoma SBA loan looks like
| FY2024-FY2026, not cancelled | Oklahoma | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median loan | $263K | $175K |
| Average loan | $674K | $508K |
| Median starting rate | 9.50% | 10.25% |
| Variable-rate loans | 88.0% | 86.4% |
| Median term | 120 months | 120 months |
| Loans of $150K or less | 36.5% | 49.0% |
| Loans of $500K or less | 69.3% | 76.9% |
| Loans of $1M or more | 18.7% | 13.6% |
| Startups (loan opens the business) | 25.9% | 16.1% |
| Startups and businesses 2 years old or less | 39.9% | 32.0% |
| Change of ownership (buying a business) | 13.4% | 10.9% |
| Franchise businesses | 13.0% | 11.0% |
| SBA Express loans | 24.6% | 35.8% |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 16,817 | 1,733,816 |
Top SBA 7(a) lenders in Oklahoma
| Lender | Loans | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| 1. BancFirst | 224 | 17.9% |
| 2. Live Oak Banking Company | 61 | 4.9% |
| 3. Arvest Bank | 60 | 4.8% |
| 4. The Huntington National Bank | 48 | 3.8% |
| 5. Readycap Lending, LLC | 44 | 3.5% |
| 6. Newtek Bank, National Association | 43 | 3.4% |
| 7. Northeast Bank | 43 | 3.4% |
| 8. First Oklahoma Bank | 36 | 2.9% |
| 9. Great Plains National Bank | 35 | 2.8% |
| 10. First Pryority Bank | 30 | 2.4% |
Industries that borrow most in Oklahoma
| Sector | Loans | Share | Median loan | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 176 | 14.0% | $250K | 9.75% |
| Retail | 159 | 12.7% | $270K | 9.50% |
| Health care | 149 | 11.9% | $250K | 9.50% |
| Restaurants and hotels | 148 | 11.8% | $395K | 9.25% |
| Other services (repair, personal care) | 122 | 9.7% | $218K | 9.50% |
| Manufacturing | 87 | 6.9% | $300K | 9.25% |
| Professional services | 86 | 6.9% | $250K | 9.50% |
| Administrative and support services | 65 | 5.2% | $203K | 9.50% |
Where in Oklahoma the loans go
| County | Loans |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 371 |
| Tulsa | 286 |
| Cleveland | 92 |
| Canadian | 63 |
| Creek | 27 |
| Rogers | 22 |
| Carter | 20 |
| Mcclain | 18 |
| City | Loans |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 279 |
| Tulsa | 196 |
| Edmond | 91 |
| Norman | 44 |
| Broken Arrow | 42 |
| Owasso | 30 |
| Yukon | 29 |
| Enid | 18 |
Counts only, and only places with at least 10 loans. No individual businesses are listed.
SBA 504 loans in Oklahoma
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.
| Oklahoma | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 504 loans, FY2024-FY2026 (not cancelled) | 79 | 18,076 |
| 504 dollars | $80.0M | $20.82B |
| Median 504 loan | $715K | $742K |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 724 | 190,338 |
| Most active CDCs | 504 loans |
|---|---|
| Rural Enterprises Of Oklahoma, Inc. | 33 |
| Small Business Capital Corporation | 18 |
| Tulsa Economic Development Corporation | 16 |
| Metro Area Development Corporation | 11 |
How older loans performed
Of the 978 SBA 7(a) loans approved for Oklahoma businesses in FY2020 and FY2021 (not cancelled), 30 had been charged off by September 30, 2026: 3.1% by count and 1.1% 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 Oklahoma
Oklahoma loans are overseen by the SBA Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma?
Lenders approved 478 SBA 7(a) loans for Oklahoma businesses in FY2024, 510 in FY2025 and 461 in FY2026, before cancellations. Net of cancelled loans, the three years total 1,254 loans worth $845M, plus 79 SBA 504 loans worth $80.0M.
Which banks make the most SBA loans in Oklahoma?
In FY2024 to FY2026 the most active 7(a) lenders in Oklahoma were BancFirst (224 loans, 17.9%), Live Oak Banking Company (61 loans, 4.9%), Arvest Bank (60 loans, 4.8%).
What is the typical SBA loan size and rate in Oklahoma?
The median 7(a) loan in Oklahoma was $263K and the average was $674K. The median starting interest rate was 9.50%, 88.0% 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 Oklahoma 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: Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama, Kansas, or see all states.