SBA loans in New Jersey: who lends, what gets bought, how it performs
Since FY2018, SBA lenders have approved 1,130 7(a) loans to buy an existing business in New Jersey, totaling $1.3B. The median loan was $719,500, 12% higher than the $645,250 national median for SBA-financed acquisitions. Volume rose 45% from FY2024 to FY2026.
- Loans, FY2018-FY2026
- 1,130
- Median loan
- $719,500 (middle half $340,550 to $1,584,000)
- Top lender
- Live Oak Banking Company (13%, 142 loans)
- Top industry
- Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers
- Charge-off, FY2018-FY2021 loans
- 2.0% (all-acquisition: 3.5%)
- FY2026 loans (latest complete year)
- 171 (-2% vs FY2025)
SBA lenders approved 1,130 7(a) loans to buy a business in New Jersey from FY2018-FY2026, with a median of $719,500 and a middle half of $340,550 to $1,584,000. Live Oak Banking Company made 13% of them. FY2026 had 171 loans, about flat from FY2025.
Terms signed in the LOI shape the purchase agreement that follows.
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SBA lenders in New Jersey
The lenders that made the most SBA 7(a) acquisition loans in New Jersey, FY2018 to FY2026.
| # | Lender | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live Oak Banking Company | 142 | 12.6% | $222M | |
| 2 | Peapack Private Bank and Trust | 61 | 5.4% | $73.5M | |
| 3 | Beacon Bank and Trust | 52 | 4.6% | $69.1M | |
| 4 | Provident Bank | 51 | 4.5% | $49.2M | |
| 5 | Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB | 41 | 3.6% | $39.4M | |
| 6 | The Huntington National Bank | 41 | 3.6% | $38.3M | |
| 7 | Fulton Bank, National Association | 37 | 3.3% | $49.8M | |
| 8 | TD Bank, National Association | 34 | 3.0% | $33.1M | |
| 9 | Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | 34 | 3.0% | $13.8M | |
| 10 | New Millennium Bank | 28 | 2.5% | $15.8M |
What this tells a buyer
- Deal size band. Half of New Jersey acquisition loans fell between $340,550 and $1,584,000. The nationwide band is $283,000 to $1,465,000.
- Share of national volume. New Jersey accounts for 2.3% of all SBA acquisition loans and ranks number 16 of 54 states and territories by count.
- Industry concentration. Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers is the most financed business type here (92 loans, 8% of the state). The top three industries together are 20%.
- Lender concentration. Live Oak Banking Company made 13% of the state's acquisition loans. No single lender dominates, so there are several lenders with local acquisition experience.
- Franchise resales. 17% of acquisition loans in New Jersey involved a franchised brand; the most frequent is The UPS Store (11 loans).
How New Jersey compares
| Measure | New Jersey | All acquisitions |
|---|---|---|
| Median loan | $719,500 | $645,250 |
| Middle half of loans | $340,550 to $1,584,000 | $283,000 to $1,465,000 |
| Average initial rate | 8.08% | 7.76% |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years |
| Charge-off rate (seasoned loans) | 2.0% | 3.5% |
| Loans in sample | 1,130 | 48,902 |
The median for New Jersey acquisition loans is $719,500, slightly above the $645,250 median for all SBA-financed acquisitions nationally.
The middle half runs $340,550 to $1,584,000, against $283,000 to $1,465,000 nationally; the median term is 10 years, the same as the national median; the average initial rate is 8.08%, above the 7.76% national average.
Seasoned loans were charged off at 2.0%, well below the 3.5% rate for all acquisition loans.
Loan size distribution
| Loan size | New Jersey | All acquisitions |
|---|---|---|
| Under $350K | 25% | 30% |
| $350K to under $1M | 34% | 33% |
| $1M to under $2M | 22% | 19% |
| $2M and over | 19% | 17% |
Most New Jersey acquisition loans (60%) were under $1M, and the largest single band is $350K to under $1M at 34%, against 33% of all acquisition loans.
Bands are fixed dollar ranges chosen for comparison. They are not SBA program limits.
Lender concentration
Live Oak Banking Company made 13% of New Jersey acquisition loans, and the top three lenders together made 23%. 79 of the 133 lenders involved made three or more. Repeat experience is spread across many banks. That is a rough guide to how many banks have seen this kind of deal before.
Recent activity
In FY2025 and FY2026 combined, 345 New Jersey acquisition loans were approved. That is 41% more than the 245 approved in FY2023 and FY2024. The median was $741,000, in line with the $719,500 median across all years.
New Jersey acquisition loans by year
| Fiscal year | Loans | Total approved | Median loan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 91 | $103M | $653,000 | |
| FY2019 | 128 | $121M | $575,250 | |
| FY2020 | 104 | $140M | $897,000 | |
| FY2021 | 126 | $168M | $920,500 | |
| FY2022 | 91 | $114M | $888,700 | |
| FY2023 | 127 | $151M | $650,000 | |
| FY2024 | 118 | $109M | $631,750 | |
| FY2025 | 174 | $225M | $756,600 | |
| FY2026 | 171 | $183M | $741,000 |
How often do these acquisition loans fail?
Of the 449 New Jersey acquisition loans approved from FY2018 to FY2021 (the seasoned cohort, every loan at least about five years old), 9 have been charged off by the SBA, a rate of 2.0% by loan count and 0.5% by dollars. 241 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 New Jersey is 43% lower 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.
Seller note standby terms and third-party consents are reviewed before closing.
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Top industries in New Jersey
| # | Industry | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers | 92 | 8.1% | $122M | |
| 2 | Full-Service Restaurants | 85 | 7.5% | $100M | |
| 3 | Limited-Service Restaurants | 48 | 4.2% | $36.1M | |
| 4 | Child Care Services | 44 | 3.9% | $46.9M | |
| 5 | Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels | 26 | 2.3% | $80.5M | |
| 6 | Funeral Homes and Funeral Services | 26 | 2.3% | $34M | |
| 7 | Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers | 26 | 2.3% | $14.6M | |
| 8 | Landscaping Services | 26 | 2.3% | $14.3M | |
| 9 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | 24 | 2.1% | $32.5M | |
| 10 | General Automotive Repair | 22 | 1.9% | $16.3M |
The purchase agreement decides what you bought, not the loan approval.
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Franchise brands bought in New Jersey
| # | Franchise | Loans | Share | Dollars | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The UPS Store | 11 | 1.0% | $3.2M | |
| 2 | The Goddard School | 8 | 0.7% | $15.4M | |
| 3 | Domino's Pizza | 6 | 0.5% | $7M | |
| 4 | Maaco | 5 | 0.4% | $7.8M | |
| 5 | Home Instead | 5 | 0.4% | $3.3M | |
| 6 | Philly Pretzel Factory | 5 | 0.4% | $803K | |
| 7 | Denny's | 4 | 0.4% | $5.6M | |
| 8 | Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa | 4 | 0.4% | $4.5M | |
| 9 | FASTSIGNS | 4 | 0.4% | $3.1M | |
| 10 | Retrofitness | 4 | 0.4% | $3.1M | |
| 11 | Orange Theory Fitness | 4 | 0.4% | $1.9M | |
| 12 | Amazing Lash Studio | 3 | 0.3% | $1.5M | |
| 13 | CertaPro Painters | 3 | 0.3% | $873K | |
| 14 | Meineke Car Care Center | 2 | 0.2% | $4.1M | |
| 15 | Supercuts | 2 | 0.2% | $3.1M |
Acquisitions by industry in New Jersey
The 20 industries with the most acquisition loans in New Jersey (minimum ten). Charge-off rates appear where at least 20 loans are old enough to measure.
| Industry | Loans | Median loan | Charge-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers | 92 | $984,000 | 0.0% |
| Full-Service Restaurants | 85 | $945,000 | 3.0% |
| Limited-Service Restaurants | 48 | $480,000 | 0.0% |
| Child Care Services | 44 | $805,600 | n/a |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services | 26 | $1,201,350 | n/a |
| Landscaping Services | 26 | $332,000 | n/a |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers | 26 | $350,000 | n/a |
| Hotels and Motels | 26 | $2,998,400 | 0.0% |
| Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | 24 | $610,000 | n/a |
| General Automotive Repair | 22 | $529,500 | n/a |
| Pharmacies and Drug Retailers | 21 | $1,500,000 | n/a |
| Nail Salons | 18 | $225,000 | n/a |
| Home Health Care Services | 17 | $815,000 | n/a |
| Drycleaning and Laundry Services | 17 | $292,500 | n/a |
| Beauty Salons | 16 | $412,500 | n/a |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages | 16 | $1,307,500 | n/a |
| Automotive Body, Paint, and Interior Repair and Maintenance | 15 | $850,000 | n/a |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars | 14 | $302,500 | n/a |
| Car Washes | 13 | $1,450,000 | n/a |
| Convenience Retailers | 12 | $530,000 | n/a |
Questions buyers ask
How much do buyers borrow to buy a business in New Jersey?
The median SBA 7(a) acquisition loan in New Jersey was $719,500 across 1,130 loans (FY2018 to FY2026), 12% higher than the $645,250 national median. The middle half of loans ran from $340,550 to $1,584,000. 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 New Jersey?
Live Oak Banking Company (142), Peapack Private Bank and Trust (61), Beacon Bank and Trust (52), Provident Bank (51), Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB (41). Live Oak Banking Company alone accounts for 13% of New Jersey acquisition loans. See each lender page for industries and states served.
What kinds of businesses are bought with SBA loans in New Jersey?
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (92), Full-Service Restaurants (85), Limited-Service Restaurants (48), Child Care Services (44), Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (26). The top three industries make up 20% of the state's acquisition loans.
How often do SBA acquisition loans fail in New Jersey?
In the seasoned cohort (FY2018 to FY2021), among 449 New Jersey acquisition loans: 2.0% charged off, 43% lower than the 3.5% national acquisition average.
How does New Jersey compare with other states?
New Jersey ranks number 16 of 54 states and territories by acquisition loan count, with 2.3% of national volume (1,130 of 48,902 loans) and $1.3B approved. Browse the full state ranking.
How much do you need down for an SBA loan to buy a business in New Jersey?
The SBA requires the buyer to make an equity injection, commonly 10% of total project cost, and a lender may ask for more. The SBA file does not record injections, so the figures here are the financed portion: the median for New Jersey acquisition loans was $719,500, and the middle half ran $340,550 to $1,584,000.
How long does an SBA acquisition loan take?
For a change-of-ownership 7(a) loan, 45 to 90 days from application to close is typical. It varies by lender and by how quickly third-party reports, such as the business valuation and appraisal, come back. The SBA file records approval dates, not application dates, so this site cannot measure it. Lenders approved 345 New Jersey acquisition loans in FY2025 and FY2026.
Which banks make SBA loans for a business in New Jersey?
By loan count, FY2018 to FY2026: Live Oak Banking Company (142), Peapack Private Bank and Trust (61), Beacon Bank and Trust (52), Provident Bank (51), Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB (41). Live Oak Banking Company made 13% of New Jersey acquisition loans. Counts show past approvals only and do not predict whether a lender will approve a particular deal.
Terms signed in the LOI shape the purchase agreement that follows.
Request Engagement AssessmentAlex Lubyansky leads every engagement.
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Related
- Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers nationally
- Full-Service Restaurants nationally
- Limited-Service Restaurants nationally
- Live Oak Banking Company
- Peapack Private Bank and Trust
- Beacon Bank and Trust
- All states
- SBA lenders by state
- 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.
Cite this data
SBA Acquisition Data, "New Jersey: SBA acquisition loan data", https://sbaacquisitiondata.com/state/nj (data as of September 30, 2026). Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loan file, data.sba.gov. Aggregated by SBA Acquisition Data.
The figures on this page are also published as JSON at https://sbaacquisitiondata.com/data/state/nj.json.