SBA Announces Record $44.8 Billion in Small Business Lending for Fiscal Year 2025
WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced a record-breaking year for small business lending, guaranteeing 84,400 loans totaling $44.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2025. This represents the highest lending volume in the agency’s history, fueled by increased demand adn a positive economic outlook.
The $44.8 billion in lending was comprised of 77,600 loans totaling $37 billion through the 7(a) program and 6,750 loans worth $7.8 billion through the 504 program. A significant portion of these loans were approved following January 2025.
Currently, the SBA is guaranteeing an average of 1,600 small business loans each week, totaling $860 million, or approximately 320 loans per workday with a combined value of $170 million.
Since January 2025, the SBA has approved over 58,000 7(a) and 504 loans, representing more than $32 billion in capital delivered to small businesses. This includes 3,500 loans to small manufacturers totaling $2.6 billion and 8,900 loans to startups valued at $5.6 billion. The agency also approved 27,000 disaster loans totaling over $4 billion as Inauguration Day.
This record lending activity coincides with a strengthening U.S. economy, which has seen the creation of over 500,000 private-sector jobs and increased real wage growth since January. Furthermore, small business optimism has risen to a six-month high, surpassing its 52-year average, according to the U.S. chamber of Commerce.
The SBA’s success also reflects internal restructuring. Earlier in the year, the agency reduced its workforce by 43% and implemented stricter underwriting standards to address defaults and delinquencies experienced in FY 2024. Despite the reduced staff, SBA Administrator Loeffler stated the agency is now “delivering near-record capital across America’s small business economy.”
The SBA plans to continue refining its loan programs to maintain momentum in small business investment and job creation across Main Street.