SBA loans in Alaska: who lends, what gets bought, how it performs
Since FY2018, SBA lenders have approved 76 7(a) loans to buy an existing business in Alaska, totaling $87.6M. The median loan was $727,250, 13% higher than the $645,250 national median for SBA-financed acquisitions. Volume fell 27% from FY2024 to FY2026.
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SBA lenders in Alaska
The lenders that made the most SBA 7(a) acquisition loans in Alaska, FY2018 to FY2026.
| # | Lender | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska Growth Capital BIDCO, Inc. | 16 | 21.1% | $19.5M | |
| 2 | Northrim Bank | 15 | 19.7% | $8.7M | |
| 3 | Live Oak Banking Company | 7 | 9.2% | $10.4M | |
| 4 | First National Bank Alaska | 5 | 6.6% | $6.5M | |
| 5 | Harborstone CU | 4 | 5.3% | $10.4M | |
| 6 | Mountain Pacific Bank | 3 | 3.9% | $3.1M | |
| 7 | KeyBank National Association | 3 | 3.9% | $2.3M | |
| 8 | Beacon Bank and Trust | 2 | 2.6% | $4.2M | |
| 9 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 2 | 2.6% | $2.4M | |
| 10 | Newtek Small Business Finance, LLC | 2 | 2.6% | $1.1M |
What this tells a buyer
- Deal size band. Half of Alaska acquisition loans fell between $339,250 and $1,433,275. The nationwide band is $283,000 to $1,465,000.
- Share of national volume. Alaska accounts for 0.2% of all SBA acquisition loans and ranks number 50 of 54 states and territories by count.
- Industry concentration. Limited-Service Restaurants is the most financed business type here (4 loans, 5% of the state). The top three industries together are 13%.
- Lender concentration. Alaska Growth Capital BIDCO, Inc. made 21% of the state's acquisition loans. A single lender carries a large part of the market, so it is worth knowing what it prefers to finance.
- Franchise resales. 11% of acquisition loans in Alaska involved a franchised brand; the most frequent is Denny's (1 loans).
Alaska acquisition loans by year
| Fiscal year | Loans | Total approved | Median loan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 2 | $696K | $348,200 | |
| FY2019 | 11 | $7.5M | $262,000 | |
| FY2020 | 5 | $3.1M | $558,000 | |
| FY2021 | 12 | $20M | $468,900 | |
| FY2022 | 12 | $10M | $676,000 | |
| FY2023 | 7 | $7.9M | $1,377,800 | |
| FY2024 | 11 | $13.8M | $901,200 | |
| FY2025 | 8 | $11.8M | $954,000 | |
| FY2026 | 8 | $12.8M | $905,000 |
How often do these acquisition loans fail?
Of the 30 Alaska acquisition loans approved from FY2018 to FY2021 (the seasoned cohort, every loan at least about five years old), none have been charged off by the SBA. 16 have already been paid in full.
For comparison, Alaska has none charged off, against the 3.5% average across all SBA 7(a) acquisition loans in the same cohort. Non-acquisition 7(a) loans (every other stated purpose) approved FY2018 to FY2021 charged off at 6.2%.
"Charged off" is the SBA's final loss action on a defaulted loan after collection efforts. It lags default by a year or more, which is why only older cohorts are measured. It is not the same as a delinquency rate, and loans still outstanding can still fail. See charge-off in the glossary.
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Top industries in Alaska
| # | Industry | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limited-Service Restaurants | 4 | 5.3% | $2.9M | |
| 2 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | 3 | 3.9% | $8.1M | |
| 3 | Other Support Activities for Road Transportation | 3 | 3.9% | $5.6M | |
| 4 | Full-Service Restaurants | 3 | 3.9% | $3.3M | |
| 5 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | 2 | 2.6% | $5.9M | |
| 6 | General Automotive Repair | 2 | 2.6% | $4.3M | |
| 7 | Funeral Homes and Funeral Services | 2 | 2.6% | $3.9M | |
| 8 | All Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 2 | 2.6% | $3.5M | |
| 9 | Marketing Consulting Services | 2 | 2.6% | $3.2M | |
| 10 | Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers | 2 | 2.6% | $1.9M |
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Franchise brands bought in Alaska
| # | Franchise | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denny's | 1 | 1.3% | $1.8M | |
| 2 | Golden Corral | 1 | 1.3% | $1.8M | |
| 3 | Crumbl | 1 | 1.3% | $1.3M | |
| 4 | Wienerschnitzel | 1 | 1.3% | $650K | |
| 5 | Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza | 1 | 1.3% | $322K |
Questions buyers ask
How much do buyers borrow to buy a business in Alaska?
The median SBA 7(a) acquisition loan in Alaska was $727,250 across 76 loans (FY2018 to FY2026), 13% higher than the $645,250 national median. The middle half of loans ran from $339,250 to $1,433,275. A loan is not the purchase price: it is net of the buyer's equity injection and usually includes some working capital.
Which banks make the most SBA acquisition loans in Alaska?
Alaska Growth Capital BIDCO, Inc. (16), Northrim Bank (15), Live Oak Banking Company (7), First National Bank Alaska (5), Harborstone CU (4). Alaska Growth Capital BIDCO, Inc. alone accounts for 21% of Alaska acquisition loans. See each lender page for industries and states served.
What kinds of businesses are bought with SBA loans in Alaska?
Limited-Service Restaurants (4), Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors (3), Other Support Activities for Road Transportation (3), Full-Service Restaurants (3), Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (2). The top three industries make up 13% of the state's acquisition loans.
How often do SBA acquisition loans fail in Alaska?
In the seasoned cohort (FY2018 to FY2021), among 30 Alaska acquisition loans: none charged off, against the 3.5% national acquisition average.
How does Alaska compare with other states?
Alaska ranks number 50 of 54 states and territories by acquisition loan count, with 0.2% of national volume (76 of 48,902 loans) and $87.6M approved. Browse the full state ranking.
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Related
- Limited-Service Restaurants nationally
- Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors nationally
- Other Support Activities for Road Transportation nationally
- Live Oak Banking Company
- Harborstone CU
- Mountain Pacific Bank
- All states
- Buyer's guide to the data
State is the project state recorded by the lender (where the acquired business operates), not the borrower's mailing state.