About Huntington National Bank
Huntington National Bank is the second-largest SBA lender in the United States by loan volume, a distinction that speaks to the depth and scale of their SBA lending operation. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Huntington is a full-service regional bank with over 1,000 branches concentrated in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Illinois — but their SBA lending reaches all 50 states and Washington D.C. through their dedicated commercial banking teams.
Unlike niche digital lenders, Huntington's strength lies in the breadth of their industry acceptance and the value of their full banking relationship. A business buyer who secures SBA financing through Huntington can simultaneously open checking and savings accounts, access treasury management services, obtain a business credit card, and work with a relationship manager who knows their file. This integrated banking model is particularly valuable post-acquisition, when new business owners are juggling payroll, vendor payments, and operational cash flow simultaneously.
Huntington's $250,000 minimum loan makes them one of the most accessible top-tier SBA lenders for mid-market acquisitions in the $350,000–$1,500,000 price range, where many acquisition buyers are shut out by lenders with $500,000 minimums. Their PLP designation means loan approvals are handled in-house, supporting their 30–45 day closing timeline.
SBA 7(a) Loan Products
Huntington National Bank offers the full SBA 7(a) Standard loan up to the program maximum of $5,000,000. They also offer SBA Express loans up to $500,000 for borrowers who need faster funding with a streamlined application. Additionally, Huntington participates in the SBA 504 program for commercial real estate and heavy equipment purchases — making them a one-stop solution for borrowers who need to combine a business acquisition with the purchase of the seller's real estate.
Eligible uses through Huntington's SBA 7(a) program include complete business acquisitions, partial business purchases, partner buyouts, franchise acquisitions, working capital, equipment, leasehold improvements, and real estate purchases when structured alongside the business acquisition. They accept applications from virtually all for-profit industries that qualify under SBA eligibility rules, with no strict niche requirement — manufacturing, retail, service, food service, distribution, and more.
Current Rates & Fees (2025)
Huntington National Bank's SBA 7(a) rates are variable, indexed to the WSJ Prime Rate of 7.50% as of June 2025. Huntington's spread is 2.50%–2.75% above Prime, setting current rates at 10.00%–10.25%. This matches the SBA program maximum for most loan sizes and terms. The actual spread offered to a specific borrower reflects loan size, term, industry, and overall credit profile — stronger borrowers may see pricing toward the lower end of the range.
| Scenario | Spread | Rate (Prime 7.50%) |
|---|---|---|
| Best Available Rate | Prime + 2.00% | 9.50% |
| Huntington's Rate | Prime + 2.50–2.75% | 10.00–10.25% |
| SBA Program Maximum | Prime + 2.75% | 10.25% |
Eligibility Requirements
Huntington National Bank's minimum personal credit score for SBA lending is 660 FICO — slightly more flexible than Live Oak Bank's 680 threshold and suited to borrowers who have maintained solid but not perfect credit. The minimum loan is $250,000, one of the lowest among top-tier SBA lenders, making Huntington accessible for smaller acquisitions that larger lenders won't touch.
Standard SBA eligibility requirements apply: the business must be for-profit, U.S.-based, owner-operated, and within the SBA's industry size standards. A Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) of 1.25x is the general benchmark — the target business should generate $1.25 in adjusted cash flow for every $1.00 in annual loan payments. A 10% equity injection is required for most acquisition deals. All 20%-or-greater owners must provide a personal guarantee. As a full-service bank, Huntington often looks favorably on borrowers who establish or transfer their business banking relationship to Huntington as part of the loan process.
Pros & Cons of Huntington National Bank SBA Loans
✔ Pros
- Lower $250,000 minimum loan opens access to mid-market acquisitions under $500K
- Full-service banking relationship — checking, treasury, credit cards, and more post-close
- Broad industry acceptance with no niche requirement, suitable for virtually any for-profit business
- Lower credit minimum of 660 FICO is more accessible than Live Oak's 680 threshold
✘ Cons
- Longer processing time (30–45 days) compared to Live Oak Bank's 21–35 day timeline
- Best experience and branch support concentrated in Midwest markets where they have physical presence
- May prioritize borrowers who establish a checking or treasury relationship as part of the loan
- Less specialized than niche lenders for complex acquisition deals in healthcare or franchise sectors
How to Apply with Huntington National Bank
Huntington National Bank's SBA loan process begins with a relationship — either through an existing Huntington business banker or by contacting their SBA lending team directly online at huntington.com. Unlike fully digital lenders, Huntington often connects borrowers with a local or regional SBA specialist who may prefer an introductory call or, in Midwest markets, an in-person meeting to discuss the acquisition structure and confirm preliminary fit.
Once engaged, you will submit a document package including three years of target business tax returns, three years of personal tax returns, a year-to-date P&L and balance sheet, the signed purchase agreement, personal financial statement (SBA Form 413), and a business debt schedule. Huntington's in-house PLP underwriting team reviews the file without routing it to an SBA processing center, supporting a 30–45 day close for well-documented packages. Borrowers with strong credit profiles and clean documentation tend to close at the faster end of that range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Huntington National Bank require you to bank with them for an SBA loan?
Huntington National Bank does not formally require you to maintain a business checking account with them to receive an SBA loan. However, as a full-service bank, they strongly prefer a banking relationship — and in practice, borrowers who establish a checking or treasury account with Huntington often receive better service, faster communication, and stronger consideration for their SBA application. Post-closing, having your business accounts at Huntington simplifies cash flow monitoring and makes working with your loan officer considerably easier when issues arise.
What is Huntington National Bank's SBA loan minimum in 2025?
Huntington National Bank's SBA 7(a) loan minimum is $250,000 as of 2025. This makes Huntington accessible to mid-market acquisition buyers who may be shut out of lenders with $500K minimums like Live Oak Bank or Newtek. The $250K floor covers many small business acquisitions including retail shops, service businesses, and light manufacturing operations in the $300,000–$1,500,000 purchase price range when combined with a 10% equity injection from the buyer.
How does Huntington National Bank compare to Live Oak Bank for SBA loans?
Huntington and Live Oak are the #2 and #1 SBA lenders by volume respectively, but they serve the market differently. Live Oak is faster (21–35 days vs. 30–45 days), fully remote, and deeply specialized by industry. Huntington offers a lower minimum ($250K vs. $500K), a broader industry acceptance with no niche focus, a full banking relationship, and more physical presence in the Midwest. For borrowers who want a local banking relationship and their deal is $250K–$500K, Huntington often wins. For fastest close or healthcare and franchise expertise, Live Oak is typically the better option.
Can I get an SBA Express loan from Huntington National Bank?
Yes. Huntington National Bank offers SBA Express loans up to $500,000. SBA Express loans feature a streamlined application, a 36-hour SBA response commitment, and are typically funded faster than standard 7(a) loans. The trade-off is a lower SBA guarantee of 50% vs. 75–85% for standard 7(a), which can result in slightly different pricing. Express loans from Huntington work well for working capital needs, equipment purchases, or smaller acquisitions where speed is the priority and the loan amount falls comfortably under the $500K Express cap.
What documents does Huntington National Bank require for SBA loan approval?
Huntington National Bank's standard SBA loan documentation package includes: three years of business tax returns for the target business, three years of personal tax returns for all 20%-or-greater owners, a year-to-date profit and loss statement and balance sheet, the signed purchase agreement or letter of intent, a personal financial statement (SBA Form 413), and a debt schedule listing existing obligations. For manufacturing or equipment-heavy businesses, an equipment list and appraisal may be required. As a full-service bank, Huntington may also request business banking history and information about the borrower's intent to establish accounts.
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