Citizens Bank
SBA lender based in Tennessee serving 48 states and 77 industries
Is Citizens Bank the right SBA lender for your deal?
Citizens Bank has funded 2,979 SBA loans across 48 states and 77 industries. Their average loan size is $641K. Whether they are the right SBA lender for your deal depends on size, industry, geography, and credit profile. PeerSense matches your deal against Citizens Bank and 897+ alternatives based on closing probability + pricing.
Citizens Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender (PLP), a designation the SBA grants to lenders with delegated authority to approve 7(a) loans in-house, which speeds underwriting and closing. Citizens Bank has funded 2,979 SBA 7(a) loans across 48 states, averaging $641K per loan. PLP status means the lender does not have to send each file to the SBA for review, a material edge on turnaround for qualified borrowers.
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Book a CallWhy borrowers choose Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank is best suited for borrowers seeking larger institutional acquisitions, CRE, and equipment-heavy deals, with an average SBA loan of $641K. The lender's deepest industry experience is in Limited-Service Restaurants, and their highest-volume state is Texas. With 2,979 SBA loans funded across 48 states, they are one of a small set of true national SBA lenders. Their portfolio default rate is 10.0% (resolved-loan basis). If your deal profile aligns with their underwriting box, this lender is worth a quote. PeerSense matches your specific deal against Citizens Bank and 897+ alternatives.
Recent SBA Activity at Citizens Bank
Franchise lending: Citizens Bank has funded SBA loans for multiple franchise concepts, with the highest volume in Hotworx, The UPS Store  (f/k/a Mail Box, and FASTSIGNS. Lender-franchise familiarity reduces underwriting friction: brands the lender already knows clear faster and re-trade less.
Industry concentration: The lender's highest-volume SBA industries are Limited-Service Restaurants, Amusement & Recreation, and Full-Service Restaurants. Borrowers in these NAICS sectors typically see better terms and faster approvals.
Geographic concentration: Top markets are Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, and North Carolina. Lenders typically underwrite faster in states where they already have closing comps.
Compare Citizens Bank to Similar SBA Lenders
Other SBA lenders headquartered in Tennessee with similar deal-size profiles. Borrowers should always compare 3–5 lenders before committing.
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About Citizens Bank SBA Lending
Citizens Bank is an SBA lender headquartered in Tennessee. PeerSense tracks this lender's SBA lending activity, including approval trends, geographic coverage, and industry specializations.
Citizens Bank serves borrowers across 48 states and 77 industry sectors, making it a national SBA lender with broad geographic coverage. To find out whether Citizens Bank is a good fit for your specific deal, reach out to PeerSense for a free lender match.
PeerSense maintains detailed performance data on hundreds of SBA lenders to help borrowers and brokers identify the right capital source. Rather than spending weeks researching lenders on your own, book a free call and let our team match you with lenders who have a proven track record in your industry and geography.
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See Related Rates by Program
PeerSense covers the full commercial capital stack. Indicative levels that lenders in our network have been pricing across these programs, as of August 1, 2026.
CMBS Conduit
5.60–7.10%10-yr non-recourse fixed, $5M–$500M+, fully assumable
Bridge Loans
9.00–14.00%12–36 mo transitional, SOFR + 470-970 bps, 65-75% LTV
DSCR Investor
5.95–8.50%30-yr fixed rental, qualifies on property cash flow
Equipment Financing
5.50–12.00%Loan, lease, SBA 504, vendor, captive. Section 179 eligible
Hotel Financing
5.85–11.75%CMBS + SBA 504 + bridge + PIP across all flags
Private Credit
7.80–18.00%Non-bank flexibility, unitranche, recap, transitional
Invoice Factoring + ABL
0.5–3.5% / 30dB2B receivables, trucking / staffing / construction / govt
No-Doc CRE
7.50–11.50%Limited-doc commercial, asset-based underwriting
Foreign National
7.50–11.00%Non-US borrower CRE + bridge, no SSN required
Indicative only, as of August 1, 2026. Not a quote, commitment or offer of credit. Final pricing, leverage and terms are determined by the lender at underwriting, after full transaction materials are reviewed. PeerSense does not lend and does not set pricing. What these terms mean.