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County39th of 99 in North Carolina by approvalsFIPS 37191
SBA loans in Wayne County, North Carolina
7(a) and 504 approvals to businesses located in the county, set against the number of businesses there and against the state.
SBA approvals by fiscal year. The federal fiscal year runs 1 October to 30 September, so FY2025 is 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025. *FY2026 is open: approvals to 30 Jun 2026 only.
SBA approved 39 loans to businesses in Wayne County, North Carolina, in FY2021 to FY2025, worth $21.6M: 37 under 7(a) and 2 under 504.
That is 17.8 approvals per 1,000 business establishments (2,195 establishments in 2023), below the North Carolina figure of 28.5 and below the national 41.0.
It ranks 39th of 99 North Carolina counties with approvals. In FY2025 there were 12.
27 lenders had approvals here; the most active were Wells Fargo Bank National Association (4), First Bank (3) and Newtek Bank, National Association (3). The most common industry was restaurants and other eating places.
Loan status is as recorded by SBA at the data date; charge-off rates are computed on loans approved at least five fiscal years ago. Jobs supported are self-reported estimates from the SBA loan application, which SBA does not review, audit or validate. Data through 30 Jun 2026.
Lenders most active in Wayne County
By number of approvals to businesses in the county, FY2021–FY2025; 27 lenders had at least one.
| # | Lender | Approvals | Dollars | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wells Fargo Bank National AssociationSioux Falls, SD | 4 | $822K | 10.3% | |
| 2 | First BankSouthern Pines, NC | 3 | $1.2M | 7.7% | |
| 3 | Newtek Bank, National AssociationMiami, FL | 3 | $560K | 7.7% | |
| 4 | Bank of Oak RidgeOak Ridge, NC | 2 | — | 5.1% | |
| 5 | Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc.Lake Success, NY | 2 | — | 5.1% | |
| 6 | The Fidelity BankFuquay Varina, NC | 2 | — | 5.1% | |
| 7 | Celtic Bank CorporationSalt Lake City, UT | 2 | — | 5.1% | |
| 8 | BayFirst National BankSaint Petersburg, FL | 2 | — | 5.1% | |
| 9 | GBankLas Vegas, NV | 1 | — | 2.6% | |
| 10 | Port 51 Lending LLCNew York, NY | 1 | — | 2.6% | |
| 11 | 504 Capital CorporationChesapeake, VA · CDC | 1 | — | 2.6% | |
| 12 | 1st Financial Bank USADakota Dunes, SD | 1 | — | 2.6% | |
| 13 | Pinnacle BankNashville, TN | 1 | — | 2.6% | |
| 14 | First Bank of the LakeOsage Beach, MO | 1 | — | 2.6% | |
| 15 | Bank of HopeLos Angeles, CA | 1 | — | 2.6% |
Industries
| # | Industry group (NAICS 4-digit) | Approvals | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Restaurants and Other Eating PlacesNAICS 7225 | 6 | 15.4% | |
| 2 | Child Day Care ServicesNAICS 6244 | 3 | 7.7% | |
| 3 | Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and MaintenanceNAICS 8112 | 3 | 7.7% | |
| 4 | Traveler AccommodationNAICS 7211 | 2 | 5.1% | |
| 5 | Other Amusement and Recreation IndustriesNAICS 7139 | 2 | 5.1% | |
| 6 | Building Material and Supplies DealersNAICS 4441 | 2 | 5.1% | |
| 7 | Building Equipment ContractorsNAICS 2382 | 2 | 5.1% | |
| 8 | Health and Personal Care RetailersNAICS 4561 | 2 | 5.1% | |
| 9 | Architectural, Engineering, and Related ServicesNAICS 5413 | 2 | 5.1% | |
| 10 | Home Health Care ServicesNAICS 6216 | 1 | 2.6% |
Sectors
| # | NAICS sector | Approvals | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accommodation and Food Services | 9 | 23.1% | |
| 2 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 7 | 17.9% | |
| 3 | Retail Trade | 7 | 17.9% | |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 3 | 7.7% | |
| 5 | Construction | 3 | 7.7% | |
| 6 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 3 | 7.7% | |
| 7 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 5.1% | |
| 8 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 5.1% |
Approvals by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | 7(a) approvals | 7(a) dollars | Median 7(a) | 504 approvals | 504 dollars | All approvals | Jobs supported, as reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026* | 5 | $2.2M | $220K | 1 | — | 6 | 16 |
| FY2025 | 12 | $5.7M | $250K | 0 | — | 12 | 163 |
| FY2024 | 4 | $4.9M | $893K | 0 | — | 4 | 42 |
| FY2023 | 6 | $2.8M | $528K | 0 | — | 6 | 43 |
| FY2022 | 9 | $3.6M | $150K | 2 | — | 11 | 126 |
| FY2021 | 6 | $2.9M | $457K | 0 | — | 6 | 46 |
| FY2020 | 5 | $9.5M | $1.4M | 1 | — | 6 | 71 |
| FY2019 | 3 | $591K | $135K | 0 | — | 3 | 6 |
| FY2018 | 4 | $4.1M | $849K | 0 | — | 4 | 26 |
| FY2017 | 6 | $2.5M | $100K | 0 | — | 6 | 34 |
| FY2016 | 11 | $5.8M | $320K | 3 | $1.5M | 14 | 123 |
In FY2016–FY2020, the five fiscal years before the current window, the county had 33 approvals.
Against North Carolina and the country
| FY2021–FY2025 | Wayne County | North Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approvals | 39 | 7,353 | 342,825 |
| Approvals per 1,000 establishments | 17.8 | 28.5 | 41.0 |
| Median 7(a) approval | $350K | $326K | $190K |
| Median 504 approval | — | $753K | $657K |
| Average approval | $555K | $731K | $573K |
| 504 share of approvals | 5.1% | 6.4% | 11.0% |
| Jobs supported per approval, as reported | 10.8 | 12.2 | 10.5 |
| Share of state approvals | 0.5% | 100.0% | — |
Approval sizes
- $50,000 or less2.6%1
- $50,001 to $150,00035.9%14
- $150,001 to $350,00012.8%5
- $350,001 to $1 million33.3%13
- $1 million to $2 million12.8%5
- Over $2 million2.6%1
Age of the businesses
- Existing, more than 2 years old38.5%15
- New business, 2 years or less23.1%9
- Startup, loan funds will open the business20.5%8
- Change of ownership17.9%7
Questions and answers
Which lenders make the most SBA loans in Wayne County?
By approvals in FY2021 to FY2025: Wells Fargo Bank National Association (4), First Bank (3), Newtek Bank, National Association (3), Bank of Oak Ridge (2), Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc. (2). Volume says how active a lender is, nothing about terms or service.
How large are typical SBA loans in Wayne County?
The median 7(a) approval was $350K; the North Carolina 7(a) median was $326K.
Which industries get the most SBA loans in Wayne County?
Restaurants and Other Eating Places (6); Child Day Care Services (3); Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (3); Traveler Accommodation (2); Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (2).
Is SBA lending in Wayne County rising?
Approvals in the three latest complete fiscal years total 22, against 23 in the three before: broadly level (-4%).
How does Wayne County compare with the rest of North Carolina?
17.8 approvals per 1,000 establishments against 28.5 statewide, and 39 of the state's 7,353 approvals.
About these figures
Figures are totals of the Small Business Administration's 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan files, data through 30 Jun 2026. SBA updates the files quarterly. Counts are loan approvals, including approvals later cancelled; the five-year window is FY2021–FY2025, the five latest complete fiscal years. Charge-off rates use only loans approved in FY2010–FY2021, at least five fiscal years ago, and count disbursed loans SBA records as charged off. Loans are listed under the lender they are assigned to today. Establishment counts are from the Census Bureau's County Business Patterns 2023, which leaves out most farms, government and businesses without employees. Dollar figures behind fewer than three approvals are not shown, and no borrower is named anywhere on this site.Methodology · Report an error