Searching for trusted San Diego SBA lenders to fuel your business success? Our comprehensive directory connects San Diego entrepreneurs with approved SBA loan providers throughout San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido and across the county. Whether you’re pursuing 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 San Diego businesses. Discover which local banks, credit unions, and financial institutions participate in Small Business Administration lending programs, compare their requirements, and find the perfect financing partner to help your San Diego small business thrive in Southern California’s innovative economic ecosystem.
| Lender name | City | Phone | SBA Programs | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banc of California | N/A | 877-770-2262 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express | bancofcal.com |
| Bank of America | Carlsbad | 619-743-0934 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage | bankofamerica.com |
| Bank of America | N/A | 888-600-4000 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage | bankofamerica.com |
| Bank of George | Las Vegas, NV | 702-851-4200 | 7(a) loans | bankofgeorge.com |
| Bank of Hope | San Diego | 888-972-5363 | 7(a) loans | bankofhope.com |
| Bank of Southern California | San Diego | 858-847-4743 | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage, Export Loans | banksocal.com |
| Bank of Southern California | San Diego | 951-551-6640 | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage, Export Loans | banksocal.com |
| Bank of the West | La Jolla | 619-727-1896 | 7(a) loans | bankofthewest.com |
| Banner Bank | Bothell, WA | 425-806-2881 | 7(a) loans, Caplines,SBA Express, Veterans Advantage | bannerbank.com |
| Bridge Bank (a division of Western Alliance Bank) | San Diego | 858-259-5356 | 7(a) loans | bridgebank.com |
| Business Lenders | Hartford, CT | 860-244-9202 | 7(a) loans | businesslenders.com |
| C3 Bank | Encinitas | 800-785-5991 | 7(a) loans | c3bank.com |
| California Bank & Trust | San Diego | 800-355-0507 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express, Export Loans | calbanktrust.com |
| California Business Bank | Irvine | 714-389-9970 | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express, | californiabusinessbank.com |
| California Coast Credit Union | N/A | 877-495-1600 | 7(a) loans | calcoastcu.org |
| California Credit Union | N/A | 800-293-6494 | 7(a) loans | ccu.com |
| PB Capital, a Division of CalPrivate Bank | Coronado | 619-787-7725 | 7(a) loans | pbcapital.com |
| Celtic Bank | San Diego | 760-703-8464 | 7(a) loans | celticbank.com |
| Citizens Business Bank | Ontario | 559-261-0222 800-216-3303 | 7(a) loans | cbbank.com |
| City National Bank | N/A | 213-673-8180 | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage | cnb.com |
| Comerica Bank | Costa Mesa | 714-424-3838 | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express, Export Loans | comerica.com |
| Commonwealth Business Bank (CBB) | N/A | 213-471-4340 | 7(a) loans | cbb-bank.com |
| Community Valley Bank | El Centro | 760-352-1889 888-320-2265 Toll free | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express | yourcvb.com |
| Community West Bank | N/A | 805-597-4391 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express | communitywestbank.com |
| East West Bank | San Marion | 626-979-5086 | 7(a) loans | eastwestbank.com |
| EH Private Bank | Beverly Hills | 714-336-7336 | 7(a) loans | ehprivate.bank |
| EH Private Bank | Beverly Hills | 714-918-1428 | 7(a) loans | ehprivate.bank |
| Endeavor Bank | San Diego | 760-270-1033 | 7(a) loans | bankendeavor.com |
| Enterprise Bank and Trust | San Diego | 858-432-7003 | 7(a) loans | enterprisebank.com |
| First Bank | N/A | 800-760-2265 | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express | first.bank |
| First Citizens Bank | Sacramento | 916-804-5818 | 7(a) loans | firstcitizens.com |
| First Citizens Bank | San Diego | 858-935-3131 | 7(a) loans | firstcitizens.com |
| First General Bank | Rowland Heights | 626-820-1099 | 7(a) loans, Caplines, Export Loans | fgbusa.com |
| Fresno First Bank | Fresno | 619-992-6725 | 7(a) loans | fresnofirstbank.com |
| Hanmi Bank | San Diego | 858-467-4815 | 7(a) loans | hanmi.com |
| Harvest Small Business Finance | Encinitas | 509-385-1610 | 7(a) loans | harvestsbf.com |
| Home Bank of California | San Diego | 858-270-5881 x239 | 7(a) loans | hbc.bank |
| HomeStreet Bank | Irvine | 949-999-2642 | 7(a) loans, Veterans Advantage, Export Loans | homestreet.com |
| International City Bank | Long Beach | 562-436-9800 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage | icb.biz |
| JPMorgan/Chase Business Banking | El Centro | 760-482-9320 800-242-7324 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage | chase.com |
| JPMorgan Chase Bank | San Diego | 619-876-9381 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage | chase.com |
| Live Oak Bank | Los Angeles | 213-284-4565 | 7(a) loans | liveoak.bank |
| Manufacturers Bank | Los Angeles | 888-307-1543 | 7(a) loans | manufacturersbank.com |
| Mechanics Bank | San Diego | 858-882-5858 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express | mechanicsbank.com |
| Mega Bank | San Gabriel | 626 282-3000 | 7(a) loans | megabankusa.com |
| Mission Valley Bank | Sun Valley | 877-394-2306 | 7(a) loans | missionvalleybank.com |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | San Diego | 858-927-3128 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express | navyfederal.org |
| Neighborhood National Bank | Chula Vista | 619-789-4440 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express | mynnb.com |
| Open Bank | Los Angeles | 213-892-1164 | 7(a) loans | myopenbank.com |
| Pacific Alliance Bank | San Gabriel | 626-773-8888 | 7(a) loans, (SBA Express – L.A. only) | pacificalliancebank.com |
| Pacific City Bank | Los Angeles | 213-210-2070 | 7(a) loans | paccity.net |
| Pacific Premier Bank | Irvine | 949-864-8516 | 7(a) loans | ppbi.com |
| Pacific Western Bank | Orange | 714.637.7282 | 7(a) loans | pacwest.com |
| Poppy Bank | Costa Mesa | 714-403-6008 | 7(a) loans | poppy.bank |
| Stearns Bank, N.A. | St. Cloud, MN | 320-258-4802 1-888-320-2899 Toll Free | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express | stearnsbank.com |
| Sun Community Federal Credit Union | El Centro | 760-336-8663 | 7(a) loans, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage | suncommunityfcu.org |
| Torrey Pines Bank (a division of Western Alliance Bank) | San Diego | 858-523-4600 | 7(a) loans | westernalliancebank.com |
| Umpqua Bank | La Mesa | 619-315-2180 | 7(a) loans | umpquabank.com |
| Umpqua Bank | La Mesa | 619-315-2183 | 7(a) loans | umpquabank.com |
| Union Bank | San Diego | 858-492-6321 | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express, Export Loans | unionbank.com |
| United Business Bank | Garden Grove | 855-476-2265 | 7(a) loans | unitedbusinessbank.com |
| US Bank | San Diego | 760-271-0676 | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage, Export Loans | usbank.com |
| Wells Fargo SBA Lending | N/A | 800-932-1891 | 7(a) loans, Caplines, SBA Express, Veterans Advantage, Export Loans | wellsfargo.com |
| Advantage CDC | Long Beach | 562-983-7450 ext. 123 | CDC-504 | 504loans.org |
| Advantage CDC (San Diego rep.) | Long Beach | 858-753-5753 | CDC-504 | 504loans.org |
| California Statewide CDC | Brea | 800-982-9192 | CDC-504 | calstatewide.com |
| Capital Access Group | San Diego | 619-847-7592 | CDC-504 | capitalaccess.com |
| CDC Small Business Finance | San Diego | 619-243-8608 | CDC-504, Veterans Advantage | cdcloans.com |
| Southland EDC | San Diego | 858-395-9269 | CDC-504 | southlandedc.com |
| TMC Financing | Costa Mesa | 310-499-8921 | CDC-504 | tmcfinancing.com |
| AMPAC Business Capital | Ontario | 909-915-1706 | SBA Community Advantage, SBA Microloan | ampac.com |
| CDC Small Business Finance | San Diego | 619-414-0030 | SBA Community Advantage, SBA Microloan, Veterans Advantage | cdcloans.com |
| Main Street Launch/Veteran Launch | Carlsbad | 760-563-8387 | SBA Community Advantage, Veterans Advantage | mainstreetlaunch.org |
| International Rescue Committee Center for Economic Opportunity (IRC-CEO) | San Diego | 619-641-7510 | SBA Microloan | irc-ceo.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are SBA loans and how do they work in San Diego?
A: SBA loans are government-backed loans provided through approved lenders in the San Diego region. The Small Business Administration guarantees a portion of the loan, reducing risk for lenders and allowing them to offer more favorable terms to San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego businesses?
A: San Diego 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 San Diego?
A: To qualify for an SBA loan in San Diego, businesses typically need:
- For-profit operation based in San Diego County
- 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: How do San Diego SBA lenders support biotech and life sciences businesses?
A: San Diego’s position as a biotech hub has created specialized SBA lending expertise in this sector. Several local lenders have dedicated life sciences divisions that understand the unique capital needs and revenue models of biotech startups. These lenders often coordinate with organizations like BIOCOM and CONNECT to provide comprehensive support. While early-stage research typically requires venture capital, SBA loans become viable funding options as biotech companies reach commercialization phases, with San Diego lenders offering specialized packages for equipment, lab space, and working capital needs.
Q: Are there special SBA loan programs for San Diego’s military and veteran entrepreneurs?
A: Yes, San Diego’s large military presence has led to robust support for veteran entrepreneurs. Several San Diego SBA lenders participate in the SBA Veterans Advantage program, which offers reduced fees on SBA loans for veteran-owned businesses. Organizations like the San Diego Veterans Business Outreach Center partner with these lenders to provide specialized support. Some San Diego lenders have developed expertise working with defense contractors and veteran-owned businesses transitioning from military service, offering tailored financing solutions that complement Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs programs.
Q: How do San Diego SBA lenders help businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry?
A: San Diego’s tourism economy has created specialized lending expertise for restaurants, hotels, and tourism-related businesses. Several San Diego SBA lenders offer industry-specific loan packages designed for seasonal cash flow patterns common in tourism. The SBA 504 program is particularly popular for hospitality businesses purchasing or renovating properties, with some San Diego lenders providing specialized terms for sustainability upgrades in tourism facilities. These lenders often coordinate with the San Diego Tourism Authority and California Restaurant Association to provide comprehensive support for the sector.
Q: Can international trade businesses in San Diego access specialized SBA loan programs?
A: Yes, San Diego’s position as a border city and major port creates unique opportunities for international trade businesses. Several San Diego lenders participate in the SBA’s Export Working Capital Program and International Trade Loan Program, offering enhanced terms for businesses engaged in cross-border commerce. These lenders often coordinate with the San Diego World Trade Center and U.S. Commercial Service office to provide comprehensive support. The proximity to Mexico has led some San Diego lenders to develop specialized expertise in NAFTA/USMCA-related financing, with bilingual services and understanding of cross-border business models.
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.