- SmartBiz Bank specializes in SBA 7(a) loans and both originates them directly and matches borrowers with partner banks from one application.
- It also offers non-SBA bank term loans and lines of credit for borrowers who don't qualify for SBA financing or want faster funding.
- It best fits established, well-qualified businesses willing to trade speed for the lower cost and longer terms of an SBA loan, which can take weeks to months to fund.
SmartBiz at a glance
SmartBiz has operated a digital SBA loan platform since 2013, helping business owners navigate the SBA 7(a) process with less friction. In 2025 it became a chartered bank — SmartBiz Bank, N.A. — after acquiring Centrust Bank, N.A., adding direct SBA origination to its long-running marketplace. Today it pairs qualified applicants with funding from SmartBiz Bank itself and from a network of partner banks. For borrowers who don’t fit SBA criteria, it also offers conventional bank term loans and lines of credit through that network.
What SmartBiz offers
- SBA 7(a) loans — government-guaranteed loans with long repayment terms and competitive, SBA-capped rates, used for working capital, debt refinancing, and real estate. Because they’re guaranteed by the SBA, they require more paperwork and longer timelines than online loans.
- Bank term loans (non-SBA) — fixed-rate term loans for borrowers who don’t qualify for SBA or want faster funding.
- Business lines of credit — revolving funds for shorter-term, flexible cash-flow needs.
Who it’s best for
SmartBiz fits established, well-qualified businesses that want the lower cost and longer terms of an SBA 7(a) loan and are willing to trade speed for value. Owners who don’t quite qualify for SBA financing may still be matched with a bank term loan or line of credit. It’s less suited to brand-new businesses or anyone who needs cash within a day or two.
How to decide
SBA loans reward patience with strong terms, but the application is more involved and rates and fees vary by lender and loan size — and can change — so confirm current numbers before committing. If speed matters more than cost, a bank term loan or another working-capital product may fit better. The simplest way to compare is to apply once through Hoss Capital, and we’ll match you with SmartBiz and comparable lenders so you can weigh real offers side by side.
- Specializes in SBA 7(a) loans, which offer long terms and competitive rates
- One application can reach both SmartBiz Bank and partner banks
- Guided process with help assembling SBA paperwork
- Non-SBA bank term loans and lines of credit for borrowers who don't qualify
- – SBA loans are government-guaranteed and can take weeks to months to fund
- – Strong credit, revenue, and time in business generally required
- – Not a fit for very new businesses or urgent same-day funding needs
SmartBiz Bank FAQs
Does SmartBiz make the loans itself? +
Both. SmartBiz Bank, N.A. directly originates SBA loans, and the SmartBiz marketplace also connects borrowers with partner banks. Depending on your application, funding may come from SmartBiz Bank or a bank in its network, and the process is the same either way.
How long do SBA loans through SmartBiz take? +
SBA 7(a) loans are government-guaranteed and involve more documentation, so they typically take weeks to a few months from application to funding. SmartBiz's non-SBA bank term loans are usually faster. Exact timelines vary by lender and your file's completeness.
What's a good alternative to SmartBiz? +
Other SBA-focused banks and online lenders offer 7(a) loans and working-capital products. The fastest way to compare is to apply once through Hoss Capital and get matched with SmartBiz and comparable lenders.
Last updated: June 2026