The average small-business loan amount made by commercial banks in the U.S. is $114,800, according to the most recent available data from the Federal Reserve. How much funding you’re eligible to receive, however, depends on several factors.
Understanding typical small-business loan amounts can put you in a better position to determine the right financing option for your needs. Here’s what you need to know.
What is the typical small-business loan amount?
Banks $114,800
SBA lenders $537,702
Alternative lenders $25,000 to $100,000
Average small-business loan amount by lender
Small-business bank loans are traditionally difficult to qualify for — you’ll need excellent credit, strong finances and multiple years in business. Those who can qualify, however, will likely be able to access low interest rates, long repayment terms and large loan amounts.
According to data from the SBA and Federal Reserve, SBA lenders offer the largest average business loan amounts, followed by banks. Alternative lenders, which often have more flexible eligibility requirements than banks or SBA lenders, offer the lowest average loan amounts.
| Lender | Average small-business loan amount |
|---|---|
| Banks | $114,800. |
| SBA lenders | $537,702. |
| Alternative lenders | $25,000 to $100,000. |
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Average small-business loan amount by SBA lender
SBA loans are partially guaranteed by the U.S. Business Administration and issued by participating lenders, typically banks and credit unions. These loans offer competitive interest rates, long repayment terms and can be slightly easier to qualify for than bank loans.
Generally, you’ll still need good credit, multiple years in business and strong finances to get an SBA loan. Although the average SBA loan amount from all lenders in fiscal year 2026 is $537,702, the SBA’s data shows that credit unions tend to issue larger loans.
| Type of SBA lender | Average SBA loan amount |
|---|---|
| Banks | $545,020. |
| Credit unions | $581,891. |
| Community Advantage lenders | $173,215. |
| Savings and loan institutions | $345,465. |
| Small business lending companies | $524,095. |
| State regulated financial company | $355,955. |
» MORE: Compare the best SBA lenders
Average small-business loan amount by alternative lender
Although online business lenders tend to offer lower average funding amounts compared with traditional lenders, these alternative options have increased in popularity in recent years. Online lenders typically have more flexible qualifications and some work with new businesses or those with bad credit.
These companies can also offer several types of loan products — and there’s a variety of alternative lenders to choose from.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of some well-known online lenders and the funding ranges they offer.
| Lender | Typical small-business loan range |
|---|---|
| Altbanq | $100000 to $10 million. |
| AltLINE | Up to $10 million. |
| American Express® Business Line of Credit | $2000 to $250000. |
| Backd | $50000 to $1000000. |
| Bluevine | $5000 to $200000. |
| Credibly | $5000 to $600000. |
| Fora Financial | $5000 to $1.5 million. |
| Fundbox | $100 to $250000. |
| Headway Capital | $5000 to $100000. |
| iBusiness Funding | $25000 to $500000. |
| National Funding | $5000 to $500000. |
| OnDeck | $5000 to $400000. |
| Quantum Lending Solutions | $10000 to $500000. |
| Quickbridge | $6000 to $500000. |
| Rapid Finance | $5001 to $1 million. |
| Triton Capital | $5000 to $250000. |
It’s important to remember that although some alternative lenders have high maximum loan limits, you may not always qualify for the largest amount of financing available.
In general, the stronger your business credentials — such as years in business, personal credit score and annual revenue — the more likely you are to qualify for a larger loan, as well as one with lower interest rates and longer repayment terms.
Average small-business loan amount by loan type
When you’re trying to find the right business funding, you’ll want to consider different loan options in addition to your lender.
Some types of small-business loans, like SBA 7(a) loans and medium-term loans, are good for large investments — and bigger loan amounts. Other types of financing, like short-term loans and invoice financing, are better for smaller projects and working capital needs.
Here’s what you can expect for typical small-business loan amounts based on the type of funding .
| Lender | Average small-business loan amount |
|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) loan | $537,702. |
| SBA Express loan | $104,687. |
| SBA 504 loan | $1,193,821. |
| SBA microloan | $15,161. |
| Medium-term loan | $192,294. |
| Short-term loan | $77,904. |
| Business line of credit | $22,565. |
| Equipment financing | $51,544. |
| Invoice financing | Up to 90% of the value of your outstanding invoices. |
| Merchant cash advance | $58,331. |
How to find the right small-business loan
When you’re looking for business financing, you’ll want to explore and compare multiple options. You should think about:
- Why you need a loan.
- How fast you need funding.
- How much capital you need.
- Your business’s qualifications.
- Total cost of the potential debt.
If you need a larger small-business loan amount, you might look to national banks and SBA 7(a) loan lenders. You’ll likely need multiple years in business, strong credit and solid business finances to qualify, however.
Some alternative lenders may be able to offer larger loan amounts — if you have good credentials — but these loans are also typically more expensive than traditional loan options. For smaller business loan amounts, you might consider regional banks, SBA lenders or online lenders — depending on your qualifications and how fast you need financing.
➡️ Not sure which loan option is right for you?
Consider working with a business lending marketplace like NerdWallet Small Business. These marketplaces allow you to submit one application, compare multiple offers and get advice from lending specialists.
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- 1. U.S. Reserve Banks. Small Business Lending Survey Q4 2025. Accessed Mar 31, 2026.
- 2. U.S. Small Business Administration. 7(a) and 504 Segment Report.
- 3. NerdWallet. 2026 NerdWallet Business Loan Study.