If you're buying a small business, an SBA 7(a) loan is almost certainly how you're going to finance it. It's the most common structure for acquisition deals under $5 million, and for good reason: low down payments (typically 10%), long repayment terms (up to 10 years for working capital, 25 for real estate), and government-backed rates that beat conventional alternatives.

At Baton, we've closed hundreds of business sales. We know which lenders move fast, which ones specialize in your deal size, and which ones are best suited for buyers without a traditional business background. We want to pass that knowledge, built over years of transactions, onto you.

Below is a straightforward breakdown of the SBA lending partners we work with and what each one brings to the table.

Who We Work With

Baton works with a vetted network of SBA-preferred lenders to help buyers finance small business acquisitions. Meet the lending partners we trust.

Pioneer Capital Advisory

Pioneer Capital Advisory specializes in SBA loan packaging and placement. They work as an intermediary to match buyers with the right SBA-approved lender and help manage the packaging process from start to finish. For buyers navigating SBA financing for the first time, their guidance on loan structure and documentation can make a real difference in how smoothly a deal moves.

Byline Bank

Byline Bank is a Chicago-based commercial bank with one of the most active SBA lending divisions in the country. They're an SBA Preferred Lender with a team experienced in acquisition financing, and their underwriting approach is well-suited to service businesses and cash-flow-driven companies.

First Internet Bank

First Internet Bank operates entirely online, which means they serve buyers nationwide without geographic limitations. They bring deep experience to larger acquisition deals and have built a reputation for being transparent and responsive throughout the lending process.

FNCR

FNCR is a small business financing platform that connects entrepreneurs to tailored capital solutions across 120+ industries. With access to $10B+ in funding capacity through a network of 1,000+ lending partners, FNCR acts as a dedicated intermediary, doing the heavy lifting to match businesses with the right lender and loan structure.

For SBA lending specifically, FNCR is a strong partner because they offer access to SBA loans from $250K to $20M with low interest rates and repayment terms up to 25 years.

Bank19

Bank19 has built its model around SBA lending, with a team that understands the specific mechanics of business acquisition transactions. They're known for moving efficiently on well-prepared deal packages, which matters when you're working against a timeline. 

Our go-to at Bank19 is Vic Calonder, who brings years of hands-on SBA experience and a wide network of industry relationships to every deal. Vic knows how these transactions work from the inside out, and his responsiveness and deal fluency are a big reason we're able to close with confidence.

Live Oak Bank

Live Oak Bank is consistently one of the top SBA lenders in the country by total loan volume. They operate digitally and have built their model around a focused set of industries where they've developed genuine expertise. For buyers in those sectors, Live Oak brings both capital and real knowledge of the business type.

Live Oak Express is their streamlined offering for smaller deals, making them a strong option for micro acquisitions where speed and simplicity matter. If the deal size is modest but the business fits their industry focus, Live Oak Express can be an efficient path to the closing table.

American Momentum Bank

American Momentum Bank serves buyers and businesses across Texas and the Southeast with a full range of SBA and commercial lending products. Their regional knowledge and familiarity with owner-operated businesses in those markets makes them a strong resource for deals in their footprint.

Huntington Bank

Huntington Bank is one of the most active SBA lenders in the country by loan count, with a dedicated SBA team and deep experience across deal types and sizes. They also run a Lift Local Business Program specifically designed to support minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses, with reduced fees and more accessible credit requirements for qualifying buyers.

North State Bank

North State Bank is a North Carolina community bank with a committed small business lending program. For deals in their regional market, their local presence and underwriting relationships are a genuine asset.

Fidelity Bank

Fidelity Bank is a community bank headquartered in North Carolina, operating across NC, SC, and Virginia. They hold SBA Preferred Lender status—a designation reserved for lenders with a proven track record in processing, closing, and servicing SBA-guaranteed loans—which translates to a faster, more streamlined process for borrowers.

BSide Capital

B: Side Capital is a Colorado-based SBA Certified Development Company (CDC) with over 35 years of experience supporting small business owners and lenders. They specialize in SBA 504 and 7(a) lending, offering a one-stop shop for businesses that can't access traditional bank financing

Main Street Launch

Main Street Launch is a CDFI lender based in Oakland serving Northern California. They focus on women-, minority-, and first-generation-owned businesses, and combine financing with technical assistance and business support that goes beyond the loan itself.

Preferred Funding Group

Preferred Funding Group is a specialist in uncollateralized conventional lending, which makes them a different kind of tool in the financing toolkit. We primarily use them for situations where a buyer needs capital without pledging assets as security, outside the SBA framework entirely. They offer unsecured term loans and credit options from $50K to $500K, with no collateral requirements and no restrictions on how funds are used.

Northwest Bank

Northwest Bank is a regional community bank serving Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, with SBA and conventional lending products and a dedicated small business team. Their value is in the relationship-driven model typical of community lenders — local presence, personalized underwriting, and a team that gets to know the business and the buyer rather than just running the numbers.

National Business Capital 

National Business Capital is a fintech lending marketplace that connects businesses with a network of 75+ lenders across a wide range of financing products — including SBA loans, term loans, lines of credit, equipment financing, and cash flow solutions. Founded in 2007 and based in New York, they've facilitated over $2 billion in funding and operate across all 50 states.

Loan Code

Loan Code is a lending platform that helps buyers explore SBA and conventional loan options across multiple lenders. It's a useful tool early in the process — particularly for buyers who want to understand their options before committing to a lender.

Start With the Right Business

Great financing is only half the equation. The other half is finding a business worth buying. Baton works with buyers across industries, deal sizes, and markets, and when you find the right opportunity, we'll help you get it funded.

Common Questions About SBA Acquisition Loans

What credit score do I need? Most SBA lenders look for a personal credit score of at least 650, with 680 or above opening the most doors. Some CDFI lenders work with borrowers below that threshold.

How long does it take to close? For business acquisitions, typically 45–90 days from application to close. Starting the financing conversation early—before you're fully under contract—helps keep things on schedule.

How much do I need to put down? SBA 7(a) acquisition loans generally require around 10% down. Some deals require more depending on the lender, the business type, or the deal structure.

Can I qualify as a first-time buyer? Yes. Lenders look for relevant industry experience, solid credit, and enough liquidity for the down payment and working capital. CDFI lenders like BSide and Main Street Launch are specifically designed for buyers who don't have a conventional business ownership background.

What's an SBA Preferred Lender, and why does it matter? SBA Preferred Lenders have earned the authority to approve loans without submitting applications back to the SBA for review. That independence speeds up decision-making and, ultimately, your closing timeline.