At Fidelity Bank, supporting the long-term success of small businesses is at the core of what we do. As an SBA Preferred Lender, we deliver customized financing designed to help businesses grow and thrive. We’re proud of the positive difference our SBA lending professionals made for small business owners in 2025.
Our SBA lending team was able to help small business owners across the nation secure over $55 million in funding. The SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs provided the means for small business owners to take measurable steps towards growth and success in 2025. While many SBA loans were closed here in our home state of North Carolina, our team has the privilege of being a nationwide lender, and we worked with business owners in 13 different states this year. Business acquisition and real estate purchases were among the most popular purposes for SBA funding. However, other business owners were able to finance equipment purchases, start-up expenses, expansions, and much more!
2025 was a defining year for the SBA lending landscape. While our SBA lending team achieved significant milestones and continued to deliver strong results for our clients, the broader SBA market itself experienced meaningful change.
Mid-year marked a significant shift in SBA lending policy with the rollout of SOP 50 10 8, effective June 1, 2025. This comprehensive update to the SBA’s Standard Operating Procedures tightened eligibility and underwriting standards, rolling back several previous policy flexibilities. These changes were designed to restore the financial integrity of SBA loan programs after years of elevated defaults and negative cash flow in key portfolios.
As the year progressed, the SBA’s focus turned toward bolstering America’s manufacturing base, especially after seeing sharp increases in manufacturing loan volume earlier in 2025. In October 2025, the SBA introduced special provisions for small manufacturers by waiving most upfront loan fees. This initiative aimed to lower barriers to capital for manufacturing businesses, helping them expand production, hire more workers, and strengthen domestic supply chains.
Lastly, after years of tight monetary conditions, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate three times in 2025, beginning with a reduction in September, followed by another cut in October, and culminating with a final third cut in December. For SBA borrowers and small businesses, these rate cuts helped lower borrowing costs, making SBA loans and other forms of financing more attractive as interest expenses declined over the latter half of the year.
Is 2026 your year for growth? There’s no better time to think about the future of your business than the start of a fresh year, full of opportunity. Let us be a part of your journey towards success. Contact Fidelity Bank SBA Lending today!
