Searching for trusted San Francisco SBA lenders to power your business growth? Our comprehensive directory connects San Francisco entrepreneurs with approved SBA loan providers throughout San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose and across the Bay Area. 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco small business thrive in Northern California’s innovative economic ecosystem.
| Lender name | City | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak Bank | Wilmington, NC | 866-518-0286 | liveoakbank.com |
| Harvest Small Business Finance | Laguna Hills, CA | 949-446-8683 | harvestsbf.com |
| East West Bank | San Francisco, CA | 626-768-6000 | eastwestbank.com |
| Celtic Bank | Salt Lake City, UT | 801-363-6500 | celticbank.com |
| US Bank | Minneapolis, MN | 651-466-3000 | usabank.com |
| Wells Fargo | San Francisco, CA | 866-878-5865 | wellsfargo.com |
| Newtek Small Business Finance | Lake Success, NY | 212-356-9500 | newtekone.com |
| Bank of the West | San Francisco, CA | 925-942-8300 | bankofthewest.com |
| Pinnacle Bank | Elberton, GA | 706-283-2854 | pinnaclebank.com |
| Fremont Bank | Fremont, CA | 800-359-2265 | fremontbank.com |
| Bayfirst National Bank | St. Petersburg, FL | 727-685-2083 | bayfirstfinancial.com |
| Plumas Bank | Quincy, CA | 530-283-7305 | plumasbank.com |
| Keypoint Credit Union | San Jose, CA | 888-255-3637 | kpcu.com |
| Calprivate Bank | La Jolla, CA | 858-875-6900 | calprivate.bank |
| Mission Valley Bank | Sun Valley, CA | 818-394-2300 | missionvalleybank.com |
| Heritage Bank of Commerce | San Jose, CA | 408-947-6900 | heritagebankofcommerce.bank |
| Comerica Bank | Dallas, TX | 214-462-4000 | comerica.com |
| Exchange Bank | Santa Rosa, CA | 707-524-3000 | exchangebank.com |
| Summit State Bank | Santa Rosa, CA | 707-568-6000 | summitstatebank.com |
| Golden Bank | Houston, TX | 713-777-3838 | goldenbank-na.com |
| Redwood Credit Union | Santa Rosa, CA | 800-479-7928 | redwoodcu.org |
| Umpqua Bank | Roseburg, OR | 866-486-7782 | umpquabank.com |
| US Metro Bank | Garden Grove, CA | 714-620-8888 | usmetrobank.com |
| First Bank of the Lake | Osage Beach, MO | 573-348-2265 | fblake.bank |
| Mega Bank | San Gabriel, CA | 626-281-8228 | megabankusa.com |
| Readycap Lending | Berkeley Heights, NJ | 973-577-4893 | #VALUE! |
| GBC International Bank | Los Angeles, CA | 310-826-4228 | gbcib.com |
| Santa Cruz County Bank | Santa Cruz, CA | 831-600-4020 | sccountybank.com |
| Bank of the Orient | San Francisco, CA | 415-338-0843 | bankorient.com |
| Cadence Bank | Tupelo, MS | 662-680-2000 | cadencebank.com |
| Velocity SBA | Pasadena, CA | 877-675-0500 | velocitysba.com |
| Enterprise Bank & Trust | Lowell, MA | 833-896-2850 | enterprisebank.com |
| United Business Bank | Walnut Creek, CA | 925-476-1800 | unitedbusinessbank.com |
| Byline Bank | Chicago, IL | 773-244-7000 | bylinebank.com |
| Community Bank of the Bay | Oakland, CA | 510-433-5400 | bankcbb.com |
| Open Bank | Los Angeles, CA | 213-892-9999 | myopenbank.com |
| Meadows Bank | Las Vegas, NV | 702-471-2265 | meadowsbank.bank |
| Metro City Bank | Doraville, GA | 770-455-4989 | metrocitybank.bank |
| Grasshopper Bank | New York, NY | 888-895-9685 | grasshopper.bank |
| Bank of America | Charlotte, NC | 704-386-5681 | bankofamerica.com |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank | New York, NY | 212-270-6000 | jpmorganchase.com |
| Fresno First Bank | Fresno, CA | 559-439-0200 | fresnofirstbank.com |
| Bank of Hope | Los Angeles, CA | 213-639-1700 | bankofhope.com |
| Hanmi Bank | Los Angeles, CA | 213-427-5715 | hanmi.com |
| PCB Bank | Los Angeles, CA | 213-210-2000 | mypcbbank.com |
| Cathay Bank | Los Angeles, CA | 213-625-4791 | cathaybank.com |
| American Continental Bank | City of Industry, CA | 626-363-8988 | americancontinentalbank.com |
| Commonwealth Business Bank | Los Angeles, CA | 323-988-3000 | cbb-bank.com |
| Commercial Bank of California | Irvine, CA | 714-431-7000 | cbcal.com |
| Pacific Premier Bank | Irvine, CA | 949-864-8000 | ppbi.com |
| First Business Bank | Madison, WI | 608-238-8008 | firstbusiness.bank |
| Five Star Bank | Warsaw, NY | 800-416-6117 | fivestarbank.com |
| Customers Bank | Phoenixville, PA | 866-476-2265 | customersbank.com |
| The Huntington National Bank | Columbus, OH | 800-480-2265 | huntington.com |
| The Internet Bank of Indiana | Fishers, IN | 888-873-3424 | firstib.com |
| United Community Bank | Greenville, SC | 866-270-6100 | ucbi.com |
| Centerstone SBA Lending | Los Angeles, CA | 213-805-5220 | teamcenterstone.com |
| MVB Bank | Fairmont, WV | 304-363-4800 | mvbbanking.com |
| TMC Financing | Oakland, CA | 888-989-8855 | tmcfinancing.com |
| Fund-Ex Solutions Group | White Plains, NY | 866-297-4311 | fundexsolutions.com |
| Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company | New Orleans, LA | 800-223-2060 | gulfbank.com |
| Beneficial State Bank | Oakland, CA | 888-326-2265 | beneficialstatebank.com |
| The Bancorp Bank | Wilmington, DE | 302-305-5000 | thebancorp.com |
| United Midwest Savings Bank | De Graff, OH | 614-255-3574 | umwsb.com |
| California Coastal CDC | Salinas, CA | 831-424-1099 | calcoastal.org |
| Bank of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 415-744-6700 | bankbsf.com |
| CDC Small Business Finance | Oakland, CA | 800-611-5170 | cdcloans.com |
| Main Street Launch | Oakland, CA | 510-763-4297 | mainstreetlaunch.org |
| Lendistry | Los Angeles, CA | 213-282-9875 | lendistry.com |
| Technology CU | San Jose, CA | 408-467-2380 | techcu.com |
| Redwood Capital Bank | Eureka, CA | 707-444-9800 | redwoodcapitalbank.com |
| California Statewide CDC | Davis, CA | 800-348-6258 | calstatewide.com |
| Arcata Economic Development Corporation | Eureka, CA | 707-798-6132 | aedc1.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are SBA loans and how do they work in San Francisco?
A: SBA loans are government-backed loans provided through approved lenders in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Small Business Administration guarantees a portion of the loan, reducing risk for lenders and allowing them to offer more favorable terms to San Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco businesses?
A: San Francisco 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 Francisco?
A: To qualify for an SBA loan in San Francisco, businesses typically need:
- For-profit operation based in the San Francisco Bay Area
- 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 Francisco SBA lenders support technology startups?
A: San Francisco’s position as a global technology hub has created specialized SBA lending expertise for tech companies. While early-stage startups typically rely on venture capital, SBA loans become viable options as tech companies reach revenue generation and scaling phases. Several San Francisco lenders have dedicated innovation banking divisions that understand the unique needs of software, SaaS, and hardware companies. These lenders often coordinate with local accelerators and incubators like Y Combinator and 500 Startups to provide complementary financing as companies mature beyond equity rounds.
Q: Are there special SBA loan programs for San Francisco’s diverse business communities?
A: Yes, San Francisco’s diverse population has led to robust support for minority, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Several San Francisco SBA lenders participate in the SBA Community Advantage program, which focuses on underserved communities. Organizations like the San Francisco LGBT Center, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, and Mission Economic Development Agency partner with these lenders to provide culturally competent support. Some San Francisco lenders have developed multilingual services and specialized programs for businesses in neighborhoods like Chinatown, the Mission District, and Bayview-Hunters Point.
Q: How do San Francisco SBA lenders help businesses address sustainability and climate goals?
A: San Francisco’s leadership in environmental policy has influenced local SBA lending practices. Several San Francisco lenders offer enhanced terms for green business improvements through the SBA 504 Green Loan Program. These lenders often coordinate with programs like SF Environment’s Green Business Program to help businesses qualify for both loans and incentives. Some San Francisco SBA lenders have developed expertise in financing clean technology companies, offering specialized packages for businesses developing renewable energy, water conservation, and climate adaptation solutions.
Q: Can commercial real estate businesses in San Francisco leverage SBA financing?
A: Yes, despite San Francisco’s high property values, SBA loans remain viable options for certain commercial real estate transactions. The SBA 504 program is particularly popular for owner-occupied commercial properties, with loan structures that can accommodate the region’s premium real estate market. Several San Francisco lenders specialize in helping businesses purchase their facilities through SBA programs, often coordinating with local economic development organizations to create comprehensive financing packages. These lenders understand San Francisco’s complex zoning and permitting environment and can structure loans to accommodate the extended timelines often required for property improvements in the city.
Q: How do San Francisco SBA lenders support businesses in the food and beverage industry?
A: San Francisco’s renowned culinary scene has created specialized lending expertise for restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and food manufacturers. Several San Francisco SBA lenders offer industry-specific loan packages designed for the unique equipment, inventory, and location needs of food businesses. These lenders often coordinate with La Cocina, the Renaissance Food Business Incubator, and the Golden Gate Restaurant Association to provide comprehensive support. Some lenders have developed expertise in financing innovative food business models like ghost kitchens, food halls, and technology-enabled delivery operations that are reshaping San Francisco’s food landscape.
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.