SBA Express lending in Kentucky: what SBA's data shows
Lenders made 292 SBA Express loans to Kentucky businesses in FY2025 and FY2026 through June 30, 2026, worth $32.5 million. The median loan was $50,000, against $50,000 nationally, and 64.7% were lines of credit. Volume was roughly flat from FY2024 to FY2025 (181 loans).
In that window, 26 lenders made at least one SBA Express loan in Kentucky. 58.6% of loans went to businesses more than two years old, and 20 financed a change of ownership. The most common industries were plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors (16), full-service restaurants (12), limited-service restaurants (11).
| Top lenders in Kentucky | Loans |
|---|---|
| U.S. Bank | 76 |
| Community Trust Bank | 59 |
| The Huntington National Bank | 27 |
| Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company | 26 |
| Republic Bank & Trust Company | 19 |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA loan-level data, as of June 30, 2026. Loans SBA approved and later cancelled are excluded. Fiscal years run October through September. Window: FY2025 and FY2026 through June 30, 2026.
See how Kentucky compares on SBA Express loan statistics, or browse all SBA Express lenders.
Kentucky Small Business
Small businesses are an important part of Kentucky's economy. Small Business Administration statistics, as published in the SBA Office of Advocacy state profiles, show that there are around 344,108 small businesses in Kentucky, making up roughly 99.3% of all Kentucky-based businesses!
With a workforce of no less than 687,294 employees, small businesses thrive in the Bluegrass State.
SBA Express loans are made by private lenders. The data above shows which lenders actually made them to Kentucky businesses. If you would rather not apply lender by lender, tell us what your business needs: we route your inquiry to SBA lending partners and the lender makes the credit decision.
Compare SBA Express options in Kentucky
Free and no obligation. We are not a lender; we route your inquiry to SBA lending partners, and the lender makes the credit decision.