SBA loans by state
SBA loans in Nebraska: 281 approvals in FY 2026, median $200,000
19% of loans financed the purchase of a business. Mid-size loans had a median rate of 9.00%, below the national 9.75%.
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Nebraska: 7(a) loans approved last year
281
| Your rate vs. last year’s loans of this size, all states | about the median for this size |
| Nebraska: median rate at approval, $50,001 to $250,000 | 9.00% |
| Nebraska: median 7(a) loan last year | $200,000 |
| Payment over 10 years, SBA fee added to the loan | $2,702/mo |
Last year’s loans: the 7(a) loans SBA approved from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026 (fiscal year 2026), in SBA’s public loan file of September 30, 2026. Rates at approval were set when prime was 6.75% or 7.00%; today: prime rate 7.00% on November 2, 2026. Your rate is compared on its margin over prime, so the change in prime since last year does not count against you.
Nebraska, FY 2026: 281 SBA 7(a) approvals for $147.7 million (38th of the 50 states and DC, SBA file of September 30, 2026). 19% of loans financed the purchase of a business. Mid-size loans had a median rate of 9.00%, below the national 9.75%. Only 6% of variable loans sat at the SBA maximum. Franchises took 18% of loans. 68 lenders were active, a wide field for the volume. Home-state lenders made 39% of the loans, against 26% nationwide. 17% of approvals were later cancelled. Lenders kept most loans on their books. Union Bank and Trust alone made 21% of the loans. Douglas County had 39% of the state’s loans. 20% of loans went to businesses not yet open. Today’s cap on a $200,000 variable loan: 13.00%.
Fee notices read and loan file counted by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
| Lender | FY 2026 loans | Median loan | Median variable rate | Lender’s home state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union Bank and Trust | 58 | $145,000 | 7.75% | Nebraska (in-state) |
| Northeast Bank | 22 | $200,000 | 10.00% | Maine |
| U.S. Bank | 21 | $34,000 | n/a | Ohio |
| Newtek Bank | 13 | $150,000 | 9.75% | Florida |
| First State Bank Nebraska | 12 | $175,000 | 8.25% | Nebraska (in-state) |
A market for business buyers
Acquisitions took 19% of Nebraska’s SBA loans, 5th highest among the 50 states and DC. Each followed SBA’s rules for buying a business, with their own requirements on the buyer’s equity, the valuation and any seller note.
Mid-size loans priced below average
On loans of $50,001 to $250,000, the median variable rate in Nebraska was 9.00%, against 9.75% nationally. A Nebraska quote above the national median for that size has room to come down.
Few loans at the ceiling
Only 6% of Nebraska’s variable loans were priced at the SBA maximum (11% nationally). A quote at the cap would be out of line with what Nebraska lenders usually charged.
Franchise units are frequent
18% of Nebraska’s loans financed a franchise (14% nationally). A franchise brand must meet SBA’s eligibility rules before its units can be financed.
| Loan size | Loans | Median variable rate, FY 2026 | SBA maximum today |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 or less | 49 | 9.00% | 13.50% |
| $50,001 to $250,000 | 113 | 9.00% | 13.00% |
| $250,001 to $350,000 | 31 | 9.75% | 11.50% |
| over $350,000 | 88 | 8.25% | 10.00% |
More lenders per loan than most states
68 lenders made Nebraska’s 281 loans. For that many loans, its number of lenders is the 8th highest among the 50 states and DC. Shopping the same project to three or four of them is realistic here.
Nebraska banks keep most of the lending
Lenders with their SBA address in Nebraska made 39% of the state’s 281 approvals, 14th of the 50 states and DC and well above the 26% average. Union Bank and Trust and First State Bank Nebraska rank among the five busiest. Local lenders also priced lower: their median variable margin was 1.00 point over prime, against 2.75 points for lenders based elsewhere.
Many approvals cancelled
47 of Nebraska’s approvals, 17%, were later cancelled (14% nationally). A cancelled loan was approved but not carried through, for example when the borrower chose other financing or the deal fell through.
Lenders keep their loans
Only 13% of Nebraska’s loans had their guaranteed part sold on the secondary market (23% nationally); most lenders here hold what they make.
Counties with the most approvals: Douglas (109), Lancaster (63) and Sarpy (35). Trades: full-service restaurants (10), limited-service restaurants (10), all other specialty trade contractors (9), plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors (9) and fitness and recreational sports centers (8).
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