WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Small Business Administration said it will close fiscal year 2025 with the highest volume of small business lending in its history, fueled by what officials called a surge in confidence under President Donald J. Trump’s economic agenda.
The agency guaranteed 84,400 loans totaling $44.8 billion through its flagship 7(a) and 504 programs — including $37 billion in 7(a) loans and $7.8 billion in 504 loans. Most were approved after Trump took office in January, according to the SBA.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, small business investment and confidence is soaring,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “With record loan volume, both borrowers and lenders are sending a clear signal that America First means America is growing again.”
On average, the SBA backed 1,600 loans per week — about 320 per business day — worth $860 million weekly. The agency said the lending boom coincided with broader economic gains, including over 500,000 new private-sector jobs and rising real wages in 2025.
Since January, the SBA has approved more than 58,000 loans totaling $32 billion, including $2.6 billion to small manufacturers and $5.6 billion to startups. It also issued 27,000 disaster loans worth $4 billion.
The record lending comes despite the agency cutting its workforce by 43 percent and tightening underwriting rules to curb defaults. Officials said the streamlined operation has delivered more capital with fewer resources, emphasizing efficiency and fiscal discipline.
Small business optimism has climbed to its highest point since 2017, according to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey, marking what Loeffler called “a historic comeback for Main Street.”
The SBA’s flagship programs are designed to operate at zero cost to taxpayers, ensuring that the record-breaking capital flow supports economic expansion without increasing federal spending.
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