SBA loans by state
SBA loans in Oregon: 995 approvals in FY 2026, median $120,000
Start-ups took only 7% of approvals. The state stood out for loans to convenience retailers.
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Oregon: 7(a) loans approved last year
995
| Your rate vs. last year’s loans of this size, all states | about the median for this size |
| Oregon: median rate at approval, $50,001 to $250,000 | 9.75% |
| Oregon: median 7(a) loan last year | $120,000 |
| Payment over 10 years, SBA fee added to the loan | $1,613/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.
Oregon, FY 2026: 995 SBA 7(a) approvals for $508.5 million (20th of the 50 states and DC, SBA file of September 30, 2026). Start-ups took only 7% of approvals. The state stood out for loans to convenience retailers. Only 6% of variable loans sat at the SBA maximum. Business purchases were rare, 9% of loans. Loans were small: the median was $120,000, against $220,000 nationally. 40% of approvals were revolving lines of credit. 49% of loans went through SBA Express. A few large loans pushed the average to $511,008. Franchises took only 9% of loans. Borrowers were small teams, 8.0 jobs per loan. Columbia Bank alone made 21% of the loans. 504 lending was light, 62 approvals. Today’s cap on a $120,000 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Bank | 205 | $50,000 | 11.75% | Oregon (in-state) |
| U.S. Bank | 167 | $50,000 | 10.24% | Ohio |
| Newtek Bank | 52 | $155,000 | 10.00% | Florida |
| Northeast Bank | 49 | $150,000 | 9.75% | Maine |
| WaFd Bank | 46 | $32,500 | 11.38% | Washington |
Lending to going concerns
Oregon ranks 2nd lowest among the 50 states and DC for start-up lending, with 7% of loans to businesses not yet open; 67% went to firms more than two years old.
More common here than nationally: convenience retailers
16 Oregon loans went to convenience retailers, 3.5 times the national share for that trade. The most frequent trades overall were full-service restaurants, limited-service restaurants and residential remodelers. Shops and service outlets are often bought as going concerns or franchise units, with loans small enough that the variable cap may reach prime plus 6 points.
Few loans at the ceiling
Only 6% of Oregon’s variable loans were priced at the SBA maximum (11% nationally). A quote at the cap would be out of line with what Oregon lenders usually charged.
Acquisitions are rare
Only 9% of Oregon’s loans financed the purchase of a business, 6th lowest among the 50 states and DC. Expansion and working capital for current owners made up the bulk.
| Loan size | Loans | Median variable rate, FY 2026 | SBA maximum today |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 or less | 401 | 11.75% | 13.50% |
| $50,001 to $250,000 | 227 | 9.75% | 13.00% |
| $250,001 to $350,000 | 84 | 9.50% | 11.50% |
| over $350,000 | 283 | 8.75% | 10.00% |
Smaller loans, higher allowed margins
Half of Oregon’s approvals were for $120,000 or less, 9th smallest of the 50 states and DC ($220,000 nationally). SBA guarantees 85% of a loan that size and the fee is $2,040, but the variable rate may go up to prime plus 6.0 points, 13.00% today.
A market for credit lines
Revolving lines were 40% of Oregon’s approvals, 5th highest among the 50 states and DC. A business that needs cash for seasonal swings or receivables can ask for a line rather than a term loan; the cap on the rate is the same.
SBA Express carries much of the volume
49% of Oregon’s approvals were SBA Express loans (34% nationally). Express stops at $500,000, carries a 50% guaranty and lets the lender decide on its own forms; the fee is charged on that smaller guaranteed part.
A few very large loans
The average Oregon loan, $511,008, was 4.3 times the median, a wider gap than in most states: a small number of multi-million-dollar loans, mostly real estate, sit on top of many small ones.
Counties with the most approvals: Multnomah (171), Washington (139) and Clackamas (130). Trades: full-service restaurants (48), limited-service restaurants (34), residential remodelers (31), electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors (23) and gasoline stations with convenience stores (19).
All states compared.