Searching for trusted Arkansas SBA lenders to power your business success? Our comprehensive directory connects Arkansas entrepreneurs with approved SBA loan providers throughout Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro and across the state. Whether you’re exploring SBA 7(a) loans, 504 loans, microloans, or disaster assistance, our list features the most active small business lenders with competitive rates and flexible terms for Arkansas businesses. Discover which local banks, credit unions, and financial institutions participate in Small Business Administration lending programs, compare their requirements, and find the ideal financing partner to help your Arkansas small business thrive in today’s evolving economic landscape.
| Lender Name | City |
|---|---|
| Anstaff Bank | GREEN FOREST |
| Arkansas Capital Corporation | Little Rock |
| Arkansas County Bank | DE WITT |
| Arkansas Federal Credit Union | JACKSONVILLE |
| Armor Bank | FORREST CITY |
| Arvest Bank | FAYETTEVILLE |
| Bank of Bearden | BEARDEN |
| Bank of Cave City | CAVE CITY |
| Bank of Delight | DELIGHT |
| Bank of England | ENGLAND |
| Bank of Gravette | GRAVETTE |
| Bank of Lake Village | LAKE VILLAGE |
| Bank of Little Rock | LITTLE ROCK |
| Bank of Salem | SALEM |
| Bank OZK | LITTLE ROCK |
| Bodcaw Bank | STAMPS |
| Centennial Bank | CONWAY |
| Central Bank | LITTLE ROCK |
| Chambers Bank | DANVILLE |
| Citizens Bank & Trust Co. | VAN BUREN |
| The Citizens Bank | BATESVILLE |
| Commercial Bank & Trust Company | MONTICELLO |
| Community State Bank | BRADLEY |
| Connect Bank | STAR CITY |
| Cornerstone Bank | EUREKA SPRINGS |
| Cross County Bank | WYNNE |
| Delta Production Credit Association | Dermott |
| Diamond Bank | MURFREESBORO |
| Eagle Bank and Trust Company | LITTLE ROCK |
| Encore Bank | Little Rock |
| Evolve Bank & Trust | WEST MEMPHIS |
| Farm Credit Services of Central Arkansas | North Little Rock |
| Farm Credit Services of Western Arkansas, FLCA/PCA | Russelville |
| The Farmers & Merchants Bank | STUTTGART |
| Farmers Bank | GREENWOOD |
| Farmers Bank & Trust Company | MAGNOLIA |
| Farmers Bank and Trust Company | BLYTHEVILLE |
| FBT Bank & Mortgage | FORDYCE |
| Fidelity Bank | WEST MEMPHIS |
| First Arkansas Bank and Trust | JACKSONVILLE |
| First Community Bank | BATESVILLE |
| First Financial Bank | EL DORADO |
| First National Bank | PARAGOULD |
| The First National Bank at Paris | PARIS |
| First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas | FORREST CITY |
| The First National Bank of Fort Smith | FORT SMITH |
| The First National Bank of Izard County | CALICO ROCK |
| The First National Bank of Lawrence County at Walnut Ridge | WALNUT RIDGE |
| First National Bank of North Arkansas | BERRYVILLE |
| First NaturalState Bank | MCGEHEE |
| First Security Bank | SEARCY |
| First Service Bank | GREENBRIER |
| First State Bank | CROSSETT |
| First State Bank | LONOKE |
| First State Bank | RUSSELLVILLE |
| First State Bank of DeQueen | DE QUEEN |
| First State Bank of Warren | WARREN |
| First Western Bank | BOONEVILLE |
| FNBC Bank | ASH FLAT |
| Gateway Bank | RISON |
| Generations Bank | ROGERS |
| Home Bank of Arkansas | PORTLAND |
| Horatio State Bank | HORATIO |
| Legacy National Bank | SPRINGDALE |
| Logan County Bank | SCRANTON |
| The Malvern National Bank | MALVERN |
| McGehee Bank | MCGEHEE |
| Merchants & Planters Bank | NEWPORT |
| The Merchants & Planters Bank | CLARENDON |
| Merchants and Farmers Bank | DUMAS |
| Partners Bank | HELENA |
| Peoples Bank | SHERIDAN |
| The Peoples Bank | MAGNOLIA |
| Petit Jean State Bank | MORRILTON |
| Piggott State Bank | PIGGOTT |
| Premier Bank of Arkansas | MARION |
| Priority Bank | FAYETTEVILLE |
| Relyance Bank, National Association | PINE BLUFF |
| RiverBank | POCAHONTAS |
| Riverside Bank | SPARKMAN |
| RiverWind Bank | AUGUSTA |
| Security Bank | STEPHENS |
| Signature Bank of Arkansas | FAYETTEVILLE |
| Simmons Bank | PINE BLUFF |
| Smackover State Bank | SMACKOVER |
| Southern Bancorp Bank | ARKADELPHIA |
| Stone Bank | MOUNTAIN VIEW |
| Timberline FCU | CROSSETT |
| Today’s Bank | HUNTSVILLE |
| Union Bank & Trust Company | MONTICELLO |
| The Union Bank of Mena | MENA |
| United Bank | SPRINGDALE |
| Warren Bank and Trust Company | WARREN |
| Out of State Banks | |
| Lender Name | |
| Bancorp South | |
| Bank of America | |
| First National Bank of Tom Bean | |
| Grand Savings Bank | |
| Hope Federal Credit Union | |
| Iberia Bank | |
| Intrust Bank | |
| Regions Bank | |
| U.S. Bank, National Association | |
| United Federal Credit Union |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are SBA loans and how do they work in Arkansas?
A. SBA loans are government-backed loans provided through approved lenders in Arkansas. The Small Business Administration guarantees a portion of the loan, reducing risk for lenders and allowing them to offer more favorable terms to Arkansas small businesses. The lender provides the funds while the SBA guarantees repayment up to a certain percentage, typically 75-85% depending on the program. This structure enables Arkansas entrepreneurs to access capital with lower down payments, longer repayment terms, and competitive interest rates compared to conventional business loans.
Q: What types of SBA loans are available to Arkansas businesses?
A: Arkansas businesses can access various SBA loan programs including:
- SBA 7(a) loans: The most common program for general business purposes with loans up to $5 million
- SBA 504 loans: For major fixed asset purchases like real estate or equipment
- SBA Microloans: Smaller loans up to $50,000 for startups and smaller businesses
- SBA Express loans: Faster approval process with loans up to $500,000
- SBA Disaster loans: Special assistance for businesses affected by declared disasters
Q: What are the minimum requirements to qualify for an SBA loan in Arkansas?
A: To qualify for an SBA loan in Arkansas, businesses typically need:
- For-profit operation based in Arkansas
- Owner-occupied (not primarily for investment)
- Good personal credit (typically 650+ FICO score)
- Sufficient cash flow to support loan payments
- No recent bankruptcies, foreclosures, or defaults on government loans
- Reasonable owner equity investment (typically 10-30% depending on the program)
- Operating history of at least 2 years (though some lenders work with startups)
Q: Are there special SBA loan programs for rural Arkansas businesses?
A: Yes, the SBA offers specific programs for rural businesses through initiatives like the Rural Lender Advantage program. This is particularly relevant for Arkansas, where many counties are classified as rural. The Arkansas SBA District Office works closely with the USDA Rural Development office to coordinate resources for rural entrepreneurs. Some Arkansas community banks specialize in rural lending and can provide guidance on these specialized programs for businesses in the Arkansas Delta and Ozark regions.
Q: How do Arkansas SBA lenders support agricultural businesses?
A: While the SBA doesn’t directly fund primary agricultural production, Arkansas SBA lenders can help agriculture-adjacent businesses like processors, distributors, farm supply stores, and agritourism operations. Many Arkansas lenders have specialized agricultural lending departments that understand both SBA requirements and the unique needs of the state’s agricultural economy. These lenders often coordinate with Farm Service Agency programs to create comprehensive financing packages for agricultural entrepreneurs.
Q: What other resources are available for SBA loans?
A: Other resources provided by Bigger Bottom Line include:
Q: How do I get assistance in getting an SBA or other business loan?
A: Contact the experts! We can assist from advising which lenders to submit to all the way through to developing & submitting a complete business loan package and anything in between. Contact us now for a free evaluation.