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County11th of 46 in South Carolina by approvalsFIPS 45035
SBA loans in Dorchester County, South 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 101 loans to businesses in Dorchester County, South Carolina, in FY2021 to FY2025, worth $61.6M: 95 under 7(a) and 6 under 504.
That is 35.3 approvals per 1,000 business establishments (2,861 establishments in 2023), close to the South Carolina figure of 30.7 and close to the national 41.0.
It ranks 11th of 46 South Carolina counties with approvals. In FY2025 there were 30, up 50% on FY2024.
39 lenders had approvals here; the most active were The Huntington National Bank (18), SouthState Bank, National Association (9) and Wells Fargo Bank National Association (6). 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 Dorchester County
By number of approvals to businesses in the county, FY2021–FY2025; 39 lenders had at least one.
| # | Lender | Approvals | Dollars | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National BankColumbus, OH | 18 | $8.2M | 17.8% | |
| 2 | SouthState Bank, National AssociationWinter Haven, FL | 9 | $3.0M | 8.9% | |
| 3 | Wells Fargo Bank National AssociationSioux Falls, SD | 6 | $1.7M | 5.9% | |
| 4 | BayFirst National BankSaint Petersburg, FL | 6 | $779K | 5.9% | |
| 5 | Northeast BankLewiston, ME | 6 | $365K | 5.9% | |
| 6 | Newtek Bank, National AssociationMiami, FL | 5 | $5.7M | 5.0% | |
| 7 | Bank of Oak RidgeOak Ridge, NC | 4 | $7.1M | 4.0% | |
| 8 | Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc.Lake Success, NY | 4 | $456K | 4.0% | |
| 9 | TD Bank, National AssociationWilmington, DE | 4 | $159K | 4.0% | |
| 10 | Pinnacle BankNashville, TN | 3 | $6.0M | 3.0% | |
| 11 | Provident Business Financial Services, Inc.West Columbia, SC · CDC | 3 | $2.1M | 3.0% | |
| 12 | Certified Development Corporation of South CarolinaColumbia, SC · CDC | 2 | — | 2.0% | |
| 13 | Wallis BankWallis, TX | 2 | — | 2.0% | |
| 14 | First-Citizens Bank & Trust CompanyRaleigh, NC | 2 | — | 2.0% | |
| 15 | CIBC Bank USAChicago, IL | 2 | — | 2.0% |
Industries
| # | Industry group (NAICS 4-digit) | Approvals | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Restaurants and Other Eating PlacesNAICS 7225 | 8 | 7.9% | |
| 2 | Traveler AccommodationNAICS 7211 | 6 | 5.9% | |
| 3 | Other Personal ServicesNAICS 8129 | 5 | 5.0% | |
| 4 | Automotive Repair and MaintenanceNAICS 8111 | 4 | 4.0% | |
| 5 | Personal Care ServicesNAICS 8121 | 4 | 4.0% | |
| 6 | Specialty Food StoresNAICS 4452 | 4 | 4.0% | |
| 7 | Other Amusement and Recreation IndustriesNAICS 7139 | 3 | 3.0% | |
| 8 | Services to Buildings and DwellingsNAICS 5617 | 3 | 3.0% | |
| 9 | Offices of Other Health PractitionersNAICS 6213 | 3 | 3.0% | |
| 10 | Beer, Wine, and Liquor StoresNAICS 4453 | 3 | 3.0% |
Sectors
| # | NAICS sector | Approvals | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail Trade | 16 | 15.8% | |
| 2 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 15 | 14.9% | |
| 3 | Accommodation and Food Services | 14 | 13.9% | |
| 4 | Construction | 11 | 10.9% | |
| 5 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 6 | 5.9% | |
| 6 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 6 | 5.9% | |
| 7 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 6 | 5.9% | |
| 8 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 6 | 5.9% |
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* | 13 | $5.0M | $295K | 1 | — | 14 | 141 |
| FY2025 | 30 | $14.0M | $250K | 0 | — | 30 | 250 |
| FY2024 | 18 | $10.0M | $113K | 2 | — | 20 | 170 |
| FY2023 | 16 | $9.7M | $250K | 0 | — | 16 | 435 |
| FY2022 | 16 | $7.7M | $175K | 0 | — | 16 | 203 |
| FY2021 | 15 | $16.2M | $649K | 4 | $2.9M | 19 | 432 |
| FY2020 | 5 | $1.2M | $222K | 3 | $1.7M | 8 | 44 |
| FY2019 | 18 | $5.7M | $163K | 2 | — | 20 | 303 |
| FY2018 | 14 | $5.3M | $53K | 0 | — | 14 | 104 |
| FY2017 | 14 | $5.6M | $103K | 0 | — | 14 | 180 |
| FY2016 | 7 | $1.8M | $150K | 1 | — | 8 | 94 |
In FY2016–FY2020, the five fiscal years before the current window, the county had 64 approvals.
Against South Carolina and the country
| FY2021–FY2025 | Dorchester County | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approvals | 101 | 3,775 | 342,825 |
| Approvals per 1,000 establishments | 35.3 | 30.7 | 41.0 |
| Median 7(a) approval | $248K | $260K | $190K |
| Median 504 approval | $624K | $892K | $657K |
| Average approval | $610K | $666K | $573K |
| 504 share of approvals | 5.9% | 6.5% | 11.0% |
| Jobs supported per approval, as reported | 14.8 | 11.3 | 10.5 |
| Share of state approvals | 2.7% | 100.0% | — |
Approval sizes
- $50,000 or less16.8%17
- $50,001 to $150,00026.7%27
- $150,001 to $350,00014.9%15
- $350,001 to $1 million25.7%26
- $1 million to $2 million7.9%8
- Over $2 million7.9%8
Age of the businesses
- Existing, more than 2 years old55.4%56
- New business, 2 years or less17.8%18
- Startup, loan funds will open the business16.8%17
- Change of ownership8.9%9
- Not answered1.0%1
Questions and answers
Which lenders make the most SBA loans in Dorchester County?
By approvals in FY2021 to FY2025: The Huntington National Bank (18), SouthState Bank, National Association (9), Wells Fargo Bank National Association (6), BayFirst National Bank (6), Northeast Bank (6). Volume says how active a lender is, nothing about terms or service.
How large are typical SBA loans in Dorchester County?
The median 7(a) approval was $248K and the median 504 approval $624K; the South Carolina 7(a) median was $260K.
Which industries get the most SBA loans in Dorchester County?
Restaurants and Other Eating Places (8); Traveler Accommodation (6); Other Personal Services (5); Automotive Repair and Maintenance (4); Personal Care Services (4).
Is SBA lending in Dorchester County rising?
Approvals in the three latest complete fiscal years total 66, against 43 in the three before: rising (+53%).
How does Dorchester County compare with the rest of South Carolina?
35.3 approvals per 1,000 establishments against 30.7 statewide, and 101 of the state's 3,775 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