From October 2023 through September 2026, Pennsylvania businesses received 6,042 SBA 7(a) loans totaling $2.77B, net of cancellations. That ranks 7th of 52 by number of loans and 10th by dollars. The median loan was $150K at a median starting rate of 10.50%. In FY2026 alone, lenders approved 1,873 Pennsylvania loans for $989M before cancellations.
What stands out in Pennsylvania
Light use of SBA 504
Pennsylvania had 315 SBA 504 loans, 0.05 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; in Pennsylvania the most active was Empire State Certified Development Corporation (83 loans).
FY2026 in line with the national drop
Pennsylvania approvals went from 2,701 in FY2025 to 1,873 in FY2026 (−30.7%), close to the national −28.1%. The median Pennsylvania loan moved from $117K in FY2024 to $207K in FY2026.
Loan sizes close to the national norm
The median 7(a) loan in Pennsylvania was $150K (national $175K) and the average was $459K (national $508K). 78.3% of loans were $500,000 or less.
SBA 504 loans in Pennsylvania
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.
| Pennsylvania | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 504 loans, FY2024-FY2026 (not cancelled) | 315 | 18,076 |
| 504 dollars | $355M | $20.82B |
| Median 504 loan | $685K | $742K |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 3,978 | 190,338 |
| Most active CDCs | 504 loans |
|---|---|
| Empire State Certified Development Corporation | 83 |
| South Eastern Economic Development Company Of Pennsylvania | 82 |
| Nepa Alliance Business Finance Corporation | 59 |
| Regional Development Funding Corporation | 47 |
| Trenton Business Assistance Corporation | 16 |
Pennsylvania 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 | 2,452 | 2,701 | 1,873 |
| Dollars approved | $932M | $1.19B | $989M |
| Loans not cancelled | 2,189 | 2,236 | 1,617 |
| Median loan | $117K | $150K | $207K |
| Median rate | 11.25% | 10.25% | 9.25% |
| Loans of $150K or less | 60.3% | 52.2% | 45.0% |
| SBA Express share | 44.9% | 37.7% | 42.5% |
FY2026 approvals in Pennsylvania changed by −30.7% from FY2025; nationally the change was −28.1%. See why SBA lending fell in FY2026.
What a typical Pennsylvania SBA loan looks like
| FY2024-FY2026, not cancelled | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median loan | $150K | $175K |
| Average loan | $459K | $508K |
| Median starting rate | 10.50% | 10.25% |
| Variable-rate loans | 91.9% | 86.4% |
| Median term | 120 months | 120 months |
| Loans of $150K or less | 53.2% | 49.0% |
| Loans of $500K or less | 78.3% | 76.9% |
| Loans of $1M or more | 12.5% | 13.6% |
| Startups (loan opens the business) | 17.9% | 16.1% |
| Startups and businesses 2 years old or less | 36.5% | 32.0% |
| Change of ownership (buying a business) | 11.8% | 10.9% |
| Franchise businesses | 9.8% | 11.0% |
| SBA Express loans | 41.6% | 35.8% |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 59,362 | 1,733,816 |
Most frequent franchise brands among Pennsylvania 7(a) loans: The UPS Store (22), Rita's Ice-Custard-Happiness (12).
Top SBA 7(a) lenders in Pennsylvania
| Lender | Loans | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | 785 | 13.0% |
| 2. The Huntington National Bank | 719 | 11.9% |
| 3. TD Bank, National Association | 587 | 9.7% |
| 4. Northeast Bank | 199 | 3.3% |
| 5. Newtek Bank, National Association | 195 | 3.2% |
| 6. Live Oak Banking Company | 184 | 3.0% |
| 7. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB | 177 | 2.9% |
| 8. Northwest Bank | 168 | 2.8% |
| 9. KeyBank National Association | 164 | 2.7% |
| 10. Readycap Lending, LLC | 162 | 2.7% |
Industries that borrow most in Pennsylvania
| Sector | Loans | Share | Median loan | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 912 | 15.1% | $100K | 10.50% |
| Restaurants and hotels | 778 | 12.9% | $250K | 10.00% |
| Other services (repair, personal care) | 681 | 11.3% | $150K | 10.50% |
| Retail | 637 | 10.5% | $150K | 10.50% |
| Health care | 532 | 8.8% | $234K | 10.25% |
| Professional services | 509 | 8.4% | $150K | 10.50% |
| Administrative and support services | 416 | 6.9% | $100K | 10.50% |
| Manufacturing | 403 | 6.7% | $250K | 10.00% |
Where in Pennsylvania the loans go
| County | Loans |
|---|---|
| Allegheny | 711 |
| Philadelphia | 667 |
| Montgomery | 633 |
| Bucks | 421 |
| Delaware | 321 |
| Chester | 319 |
| Lancaster | 219 |
| York | 215 |
| City | Loans |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 667 |
| Pittsburgh | 369 |
| Allentown | 90 |
| Lancaster | 89 |
| York | 85 |
| Reading | 75 |
| Harrisburg | 69 |
| West Chester | 67 |
Counts only, and only places with at least 10 loans. No individual businesses are listed.
How older loans performed
Of the 2,478 SBA 7(a) loans approved for Pennsylvania businesses in FY2020 and FY2021 (not cancelled), 91 had been charged off by September 30, 2026: 3.7% by count and 1.4% 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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania loans are split between the Philadelphia District Office (73% of loans) and the Pittsburgh 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 Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
Lenders approved 2,452 SBA 7(a) loans for Pennsylvania businesses in FY2024, 2,701 in FY2025 and 1,873 in FY2026, before cancellations. Net of cancelled loans, the three years total 6,042 loans worth $2.77B, plus 315 SBA 504 loans worth $355M.
Which banks make the most SBA loans in Pennsylvania?
In FY2024 to FY2026 the most active 7(a) lenders in Pennsylvania were Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (785 loans, 13.0%), The Huntington National Bank (719 loans, 11.9%), TD Bank, National Association (587 loans, 9.7%).
What is the typical SBA loan size and rate in Pennsylvania?
The median 7(a) loan in Pennsylvania was $150K and the average was $459K. The median starting interest rate was 10.50%, 91.9% 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 Pennsylvania 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: Ohio, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, or see all states.