Live Oak Bank Named Nation's Top SBA 7(a) Lender

Live Oak Bank (LOB) ranked as the nation's top SBA 7(a) lender by dollar amount for the agency's 2026 fiscal year.

Rhea-AI Summary

Live Oak Bank (LOB) ranked as the nation's top SBA 7(a) lender by dollar amount for the agency's 2026 fiscal year.

The U.S. Small Business Administration's rankings cover the fiscal year ended September 30, 2026. Live Oak approved 2,411 loans under the program during that period, providing more than $2.58 billion to small business owners nationwide.

Key Figures

7(a) loans approved: 2,411 loans 7(a) loan amount: More than $2.58 billion

7(a) loans approved

2,411 loans

2026 fiscal year

7(a) loan amount

More than $2.58 billion

Approved during the 2026 fiscal year

Key Terms

sba 7(a) program

1 terms

sba 7(a) program financial

"the SBA 7(a) program is one of the most effective tools"

A federal loan-guarantee program run by the U.S. Small Business Administration that helps small businesses obtain financing by guaranteeing a portion of loans made by private lenders. Lenders originate and service the loans and set rates and terms within SBA rules; the guarantee reduces lender risk, which makes credit available for uses such as working capital, equipment, real estate, inventory, and qualified refinancing, subject to SBA eligibility rules, collateral and guaranty requirements, and program limits.

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WILMINGTON, N.C., Oct. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Live Oak Bank has been named the top SBA 7(a) lender by dollar amount, according to rankings from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The SBA posted the rankings on its website. They cover the agency's 2026 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, 2026.

"Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and the SBA 7(a) program is one of the most effective tools we have to help them start, grow and create jobs in their communities," said James S. (Chip) Mahan III, chairman and CEO of Live Oak Bancshares. "Being recognized as the nation's most active 7(a) lender is a tremendous honor, and it reflects our responsibility to keep capital flowing to the entrepreneurs who power local economies across the country."

Live Oak approved 2,411 loans under the flagship 7(a) program this fiscal year, putting more than $2.58 billion into the hands of small business owners nationwide.

"Live Oak's model is built around deep industry expertise, a dedicated team of specialists and technology that makes the borrowing experience simpler," said William C. (BJ) Losch III, president of Live Oak Bank. "By focusing on the industries we know best and serving customers from application through closing and beyond, we help entrepreneurs move faster and with greater confidence. This recognition reflects the work our team does every day to be America's bank for small businesses."

About Live Oak Bancshares
Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE: LOB) is a financial holding company and parent company of Live Oak Bank. Live Oak Bancshares and its subsidiaries partner with businesses that share a groundbreaking focus on service and technology to redefine banking. To learn more, visit liveoak.bank.

Contact:
Madison Carlos
Live Oak Bank, Corporate Communications
910.386.6616
media.relations@liveoak.bank