Lenders › Independent Bank
7(a) lenderGrand Rapids, MichiganFDIC-insured bank331st of 2,184 by approvals
Independent Bank
SBA 7(a) loan approvals by fiscal year, where they went, how large they were, and how loans from earlier years turned out.
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.
Independent Bank (Grand Rapids, Michigan) is an FDIC-insured bank in the SBA 7(a) program, 331st of 2,184 by approvals in FY2021 to FY2025: 94 loans worth $74.0M.
In FY2025, the latest complete fiscal year, it had 51 approvals totalling $36.5M, up 96% on FY2024 (26). FY2026 to 30 Jun 2026 adds 27 more.
The median approval was $350K, against $190K for the 7(a) program as a whole; 25.5% of its approvals were for $150,000 or less (program: 47.8%).
Its loans went to businesses in 3 states and territories and 25 counties, led by Michigan (95.7%), Illinois (3.2%) and Oklahoma (1.1%). The largest industry group was retail trade at 17.0% of approvals, and 9.6% of approvals were to franchise businesses.
Of 203 disbursed loans approved in FY2010 to FY2021, SBA records 3 as charged off (1.5%), 182 as paid in full and 18 still outstanding; the 7(a) program figure for the same approval years is 6.6%, so the rate here is below it.
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. Loans appear under the lender they are assigned to today, so a lender's figures include loans it took over. Data through 30 Jun 2026.
Approvals by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Approvals | Dollars approved | Median approval | Average approval | Jobs supported, as reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026* | 27 | $22.2M | $400K | $824K | 345 |
| FY2025 | 51 | $36.5M | $309K | $715K | 824 |
| FY2024 | 26 | $24.8M | $500K | $953K | 1,009 |
| FY2023 | 8 | $6.4M | $163K | $795K | 95 |
| FY2022 | 9 | $6.4M | $350K | $714K | 197 |
| FY2021 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 |
| FY2020 | 5 | $1.6M | $250K | $311K | 45 |
| FY2019 | 8 | $5.0M | $279K | $631K | 191 |
| FY2018 | 5 | $3.8M | $235K | $766K | 93 |
| FY2017 | 6 | $4.3M | $563K | $714K | 161 |
| FY2016 | 5 | $6.6M | $867K | $1.3M | 131 |
Approvals are counted in the year SBA approved them and include approvals later cancelled. In the five fiscal years before the current window (FY2016–FY2020) the lender had 29 approvals. First approval on file: FY2010.
How earlier loans turned out
Only loans approved at least five fiscal years ago (FY2010–FY2021) are counted, because newer loans have had little time to be paid in full or charged off. "Charged off" is SBA's status for a loan on which it has written off the remaining balance.
| Loans approved FY2010–FY2021 | This lender | Michigan | 7(a) program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approvals in these years | 225 | 25,129 | 639,905 |
| Cancelled or never disbursed | 22 | 3,087 | 79,313 |
| Disbursed loans | 203 | 22,042 | 560,592 |
| Paid in full | 182 | 17,774 | 435,813 |
| Charged off | 3 | 1,035 | 36,891 |
| Still outstanding (status exempt from disclosure) | 18 | 3,233 | 87,888 |
| Charged off, share of disbursed loans | 1.5% | 4.7% | 6.6% |
| Dollars charged off, share of disbursed dollars | 0.2% | 2.0% | 2.5% |
| Dollars charged off | $137K | $136M | $5.70bn |
By approval year
| Approved in | Disbursed | Paid in full | Charged off | Charged off, share | 7(a) program, same year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2.8% |
| FY2020 | 4 | 3 | 0 | — | 4.0% |
| FY2019 | 7 | 5 | 0 | — | 6.7% |
| FY2018 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 7.9% |
| FY2017 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | 7.7% |
| FY2016 | 5 | 5 | 0 | — | 7.2% |
| FY2015 | 10 | 10 | 0 | — | 6.9% |
| FY2014 | 13 | 12 | 0 | — | 6.4% |
| FY2013 | 19 | 18 | 0 | — | 6.0% |
| FY2012 | 47 | 42 | 3 | 6.4% | 6.3% |
| FY2011 | 60 | 54 | 0 | 0.0% | 6.9% |
| FY2010 | 28 | 27 | 0 | — | 9.2% |
A share is shown only where at least 30 loans from that year were disbursed.
Against the 7(a) program
| FY2021–FY2025 | This lender | 7(a) program |
|---|---|---|
| Median approval | $350K | $190K |
| Average approval | $787K | $518K |
| Approvals of $150,000 or less | 25.5% | 47.8% |
| Approvals to startups and businesses 2 years old or less | 27.7% | 34.3% |
| Approvals to franchise businesses | 9.6% | 11.5% |
| Jobs supported per approval, as reported | 22.6 | 10.5 |
| Charged off, loans approved FY2010–FY2021 | 1.5% | 6.6% |
States served
| # | State of the business (3 in all) | Approvals | Dollars | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 90 | $62.5M | 95.7% | |
| 2 | Illinois | 3 | $9.6M | 3.2% | |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 1 | — | 1.1% |
In Michigan the lender accounts for 0.8% of all 7(a) approvals in FY2021–FY2025.
Counties served
| # | County of the business (25 in all) | Approvals | Dollars | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland County, MI | 21 | $13.0M | 22.3% | |
| 2 | Wayne County, MI | 14 | $9.7M | 14.9% | |
| 3 | Macomb County, MI | 9 | $6.4M | 9.6% | |
| 4 | Kent County, MI | 7 | $7.2M | 7.4% | |
| 5 | Grand Traverse County, MI | 7 | $2.4M | 7.4% | |
| 6 | Ottawa County, MI | 5 | $8.5M | 5.3% | |
| 7 | DuPage County, IL | 3 | $9.6M | 3.2% | |
| 8 | Ingham County, MI | 3 | $1.3M | 3.2% | |
| 9 | Livingston County, MI | 3 | $1.1M | 3.2% | |
| 10 | Clinton County, MI | 3 | $215K | 3.2% | |
| 11 | Eaton County, MI | 2 | — | 2.1% | |
| 12 | Bay County, MI | 2 | — | 2.1% |
Industry mix
| # | NAICS sector | Approvals | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail Trade | 16 | 17.0% | |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 15 | 16.0% | |
| 3 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 12 | 12.8% | |
| 4 | Construction | 12 | 12.8% | |
| 5 | Accommodation and Food Services | 8 | 8.5% | |
| 6 | Educational Services | 5 | 5.3% | |
| 7 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 5 | 5.3% | |
| 8 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 5 | 5.3% |
| # | Industry group | Approvals | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Architectural, Engineering, and Related ServicesNAICS 5413 | 6 | 6.4% | |
| 2 | Other Miscellaneous ManufacturingNAICS 3399 | 5 | 5.3% | |
| 3 | Restaurants and Other Eating PlacesNAICS 7225 | 5 | 5.3% | |
| 4 | Grocery StoresNAICS 4451 | 5 | 5.3% | |
| 5 | Highway, Street, and Bridge ConstructionNAICS 2373 | 4 | 4.3% | |
| 6 | Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesNAICS 5419 | 4 | 4.3% | |
| 7 | Other Schools and InstructionNAICS 6116 | 4 | 4.3% | |
| 8 | Building Equipment ContractorsNAICS 2382 | 4 | 4.3% | |
| 9 | Other Specialty Trade ContractorsNAICS 2389 | 3 | 3.2% | |
| 10 | Offices of PhysiciansNAICS 6211 | 3 | 3.2% |
Approval sizes
- $50,000 or less9.6%9
- $50,001 to $150,00016.0%15
- $150,001 to $350,00025.5%24
- $350,001 to $1 million26.6%25
- $1 million to $2 million12.8%12
- Over $2 million9.6%9
Loan terms
- 5 years or less17.0%16
- Over 5 to 10 years58.5%55
- Over 10 to 20 years20.2%19
- Over 20 years4.3%4
Age of the businesses
- Existing, more than 2 years old68.1%64
- New business, 2 years or less12.8%12
- Startup, loan funds will open the business14.9%14
- Change of ownership4.3%4
SBA processing method
| # | Method | Approvals | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preferred Lenders Program | 39 | 41.5% | |
| 2 | SBA Express Program | 37 | 39.4% | |
| 3 | 7a General | 12 | 12.8% | |
| 4 | Preferred Lenders with WCP | 4 | 4.3% | |
| 5 | Working Capital CAPLine | 2 | 2.1% |
Franchise share
9 of 94 approvals in FY2021–FY2025 (9.6%) carried an SBA franchise code; across the 7(a) program the share is 11.5%.
| # | Franchise brand | Approvals | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goldfish Swim School | 4 | 4.3% | |
| 2 | School of Rock | 3 | 3.2% | |
| 3 | The Pump House | 1 | 1.1% | |
| 4 | Graze Craze | 1 | 1.1% |
Questions and answers
How many SBA loans does Independent Bank make?
SBA approved 51 7(a) loans through Independent Bank in FY2025, worth $36.5M, and 94 over FY2021 to FY2025. That ranks 331st of 2,184 active 7(a) lenders by number of approvals.
How large are Independent Bank's typical SBA loans?
The median 7(a) approval in FY2021 to FY2025 was $350K and the average $787K. The program-wide median was $190K.
What is Independent Bank's charge-off rate?
Of 203 disbursed loans approved in FY2010 to FY2021, SBA records 3 as charged off (1.5%), 182 as paid in full and 18 still outstanding; the 7(a) program figure for the same approval years is 6.6%, so the rate here is below it. Loans are listed under the lender that holds them today, so the figure includes loans taken over from other lenders. Status is as recorded by SBA on 30 Jun 2026.
Which industries does Independent Bank lend to most?
By number of approvals in FY2021 to FY2025: architectural, engineering, and related services (6); other miscellaneous manufacturing (5); restaurants and other eating places (5); grocery stores (5).
Where does Independent Bank make SBA loans?
In 3 states and territories. Michigan 90, Illinois 3, Oklahoma 1. In Michigan it accounts for 0.8% of all 7(a) approvals.
Is Independent Bank's SBA lending rising?
Approvals in the three latest complete fiscal years total 85, against 14 in the three before: rising (+507%).
Where does this data come from?
From the Small Business Administration's 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan files, as of 30 Jun 2026. Borrower names and addresses in those files are discarded when the files are read and appear nowhere on this site.
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. Dollar figures behind fewer than three approvals are not shown, and no borrower is named anywhere on this site.Methodology · Report an error