SBA loans in Delaware: who lends, what gets bought, how it performs
Since FY2018, SBA lenders have approved 130 7(a) loans to buy an existing business in Delaware, totaling $134M. The median loan was $498,500, 23% lower than the $645,250 national median for SBA-financed acquisitions. Volume rose 100% from FY2024 to FY2026.
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SBA lenders in Delaware
The lenders that made the most SBA 7(a) acquisition loans in Delaware, FY2018 to FY2026.
| # | Lender | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | 29 | 22.3% | $15M | |
| 2 | Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB | 13 | 10.0% | $17.5M | |
| 3 | Beacon Bank and Trust | 12 | 9.2% | $14.6M | |
| 4 | Live Oak Banking Company | 10 | 7.7% | $10.6M | |
| 5 | The Huntington National Bank | 10 | 7.7% | $3.9M | |
| 6 | Fulton Bank, National Association | 8 | 6.2% | $4.6M | |
| 7 | Truliant FCU | 5 | 3.8% | $9.8M | |
| 8 | Meridian Bank | 5 | 3.8% | $5.6M | |
| 9 | The Bancorp Bank National Association | 3 | 2.3% | $4.3M | |
| 10 | PNC Bank, National Association | 3 | 2.3% | $1M |
What this tells a buyer
- Deal size band. Half of Delaware acquisition loans fell between $230,625 and $1,553,075. The nationwide band is $283,000 to $1,465,000.
- Share of national volume. Delaware accounts for 0.3% of all SBA acquisition loans and ranks number 44 of 54 states and territories by count.
- Industry concentration. Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers is the most financed business type here (5 loans, 4% of the state). The top three industries together are 12%.
- Lender concentration. Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company made 22% 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. 17% of acquisition loans in Delaware involved a franchised brand; the most frequent is Urban Air Adventure Park (3 loans).
Delaware acquisition loans by year
| Fiscal year | Loans | Total approved | Median loan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 11 | $10.6M | $230,000 | |
| FY2019 | 12 | $5.8M | $495,000 | |
| FY2020 | 14 | $17.4M | $437,500 | |
| FY2021 | 14 | $12.2M | $515,000 | |
| FY2022 | 13 | $14.9M | $343,500 | |
| FY2023 | 12 | $9.9M | $454,900 | |
| FY2024 | 12 | $10.8M | $522,500 | |
| FY2025 | 18 | $19.7M | $347,750 | |
| FY2026 | 24 | $32.7M | $820,000 |
How often do these acquisition loans fail?
Of the 51 Delaware acquisition loans approved from FY2018 to FY2021 (the seasoned cohort, every loan at least about five years old), 2 have been charged off by the SBA, a rate of 3.9% by loan count and 4.0% by dollars. 24 have already been paid in full.
For comparison, the charge-off rate across all SBA 7(a) acquisition loans in the same cohort is 3.5%, so Delaware is 11% higher than the acquisition-loan average. 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 Delaware
| # | Industry | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers | 5 | 3.8% | $7.6M | |
| 2 | Limited-Service Restaurants | 5 | 3.8% | $4.2M | |
| 3 | Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated) | 5 | 3.8% | $3.4M | |
| 4 | Full-Service Restaurants | 4 | 3.1% | $2.6M | |
| 5 | Broilers and Other Meat Type Chicken Production | 3 | 2.3% | $4.7M | |
| 6 | Child Care Services | 3 | 2.3% | $3.3M | |
| 7 | Landscaping Services | 3 | 2.3% | $3M | |
| 8 | Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers | 3 | 2.3% | $2.5M | |
| 9 | Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores | 3 | 2.3% | $2.1M | |
| 10 | Machine Shops | 3 | 2.3% | $1.2M |
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Franchise brands bought in Delaware
| # | Franchise | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Air Adventure Park | 3 | 2.3% | $6M | |
| 2 | Quality Inn | 1 | 0.8% | $3M | |
| 3 | Sir Speedy | 1 | 0.8% | $1.9M | |
| 4 | Sky Zone | 1 | 0.8% | $1.8M | |
| 5 | Domino's Pizza | 1 | 0.8% | $1.7M | |
| 6 | RhinoShield | 1 | 0.8% | $1.4M | |
| 7 | Visiting Angels | 1 | 0.8% | $1.1M | |
| 8 | NAPA AutoCare | 1 | 0.8% | $621K | |
| 9 | Plato's Closet | 1 | 0.8% | $445K | |
| 10 | Senior Helpers | 1 | 0.8% | $230K | |
| 11 | Huntington Learning Center | 1 | 0.8% | $220K | |
| 12 | Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions | 1 | 0.8% | $191K | |
| 13 | Rita's Ice-Custard-Happiness | 1 | 0.8% | $144K |
Questions buyers ask
How much do buyers borrow to buy a business in Delaware?
The median SBA 7(a) acquisition loan in Delaware was $498,500 across 130 loans (FY2018 to FY2026), 23% lower than the $645,250 national median. The middle half of loans ran from $230,625 to $1,553,075. 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 Delaware?
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (29), Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB (13), Beacon Bank and Trust (12), Live Oak Banking Company (10), The Huntington National Bank (10). Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company alone accounts for 22% of Delaware acquisition loans. See each lender page for industries and states served.
What kinds of businesses are bought with SBA loans in Delaware?
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (5), Limited-Service Restaurants (5), Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated) (5), Full-Service Restaurants (4), Broilers and Other Meat Type Chicken Production (3). The top three industries make up 12% of the state's acquisition loans.
How often do SBA acquisition loans fail in Delaware?
In the seasoned cohort (FY2018 to FY2021), among 51 Delaware acquisition loans: 3.9% charged off, 11% higher than the 3.5% national acquisition average.
How does Delaware compare with other states?
Delaware ranks number 44 of 54 states and territories by acquisition loan count, with 0.3% of national volume (130 of 48,902 loans) and $134M approved. Browse the full state ranking.
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Related
- Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers nationally
- Limited-Service Restaurants nationally
- Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated) nationally
- Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
- Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB
- Beacon Bank and Trust
- 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.