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SBA 504 Loans in Charleston, SC

Find lenders offering sba 504 loans in the Charleston, including Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville, and surrounding areas. Compare rates, terms, and programs from 17 lenders.

Lenders
17
Typical Rate
Below market (CDC portion ~5-6%)
Down Payment
10%
Term
10-25 years
Closing Time
45-90 days

Which SBA 504 lenders serve Charleston?

17 lenders offering sba 504 loans in the Charleston, SC area.

Certified Development Corporation of South Carolina

Local SBA

Columbia, SC

4 SBA loans
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Provident Business Financial Services, Inc.

Local SBA

West Columbia, SC

6 SBA loans
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Appalachian Development Corporation

Local SBA

Greenville, SC

6 SBA loans
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Live Oak Banking Company

SBA

WILMINGTON, NC

One of the nation's top SBA 7(a) lenders, specializing in lending to small businesses across healthcare, veterinary, beverage, self-storage, and other industries. Offers SBA loans, USDA loans, conventional business loans, and commercial real estate financing.

628 SBA loans
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The Huntington National Bank

SBA

COLUMBUS, OH

Major regional bank and consistently one of the top SBA lenders in the country by number of loans. Offers SBA 7(a) and 504 loans alongside conventional business lending, commercial real estate, and treasury management services.

1337 SBA loans
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U.S. Bank, National Association

SBA

Cincinnati, OH

Fifth-largest commercial bank in the U.S. and a top SBA preferred lender. Offers SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, conventional commercial lending, commercial real estate, and a full suite of business banking products.

846 SBA loans
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Readycap Lending, LLC

SBA

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ

Non-bank SBA preferred lender offering SBA 7(a) and 504 loans nationwide. Specializes in commercial real estate, business acquisition, and expansion financing for small businesses. Known for fast closings and flexible underwriting.

563 SBA loans
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Bank of Hope

SBA

LOS ANGELES, CA

One of the largest Korean-American banks in the U.S. and a top SBA 7(a) lender. Offers commercial real estate loans, SBA lending, trade finance, and full-service commercial banking with branches across major metro areas.

134 SBA loans
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Wells Fargo Bank National Association

SBA

Sioux Falls, SD

One of the largest banks in the U.S. and a major SBA preferred lender. Offers the full range of SBA programs including 7(a) and 504 loans, alongside conventional commercial lending, commercial real estate, and equipment financing.

220 SBA loans
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Fifth Third Bank

SBA

CINCINNATI, OH

Major regional bank and SBA preferred lender with operations across the Midwest and Southeast. Offers SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, conventional commercial lending, equipment financing, and commercial real estate loans.

117 SBA loans
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Enterprise Bank & Trust

SBA

CLAYTON, MO

Midwest-based bank and top SBA preferred lender. Offers SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, conventional commercial lending, commercial real estate financing, and specialty lending for industries like healthcare and professional services.

63 SBA loans
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KeyBank National Association

SBA

CLEVELAND, OH

Major regional bank and SBA preferred lender with nationwide commercial banking operations. Offers SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, conventional business lending, commercial real estate, equipment finance, and capital markets services.

150 SBA loans
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First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company

SBA

RALEIGH, NC

One of the largest family-controlled banks in the U.S., headquartered in Raleigh, NC. Offers SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, commercial real estate, equipment financing, and lines of credit for businesses nationwide.

44 SBA loans
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East West Bank

SBA

PASADENA, CA

One of the largest independent banks focused on the U.S. and Greater China markets. Offers SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, commercial real estate, trade finance, and international banking for businesses with cross-border needs.

47 SBA loans
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Grasshopper Bank National Association

SBA

New York, NY

New York-based digital business bank offering SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, commercial lending, and innovative banking solutions. Combines fintech convenience with traditional banking for small business owners and startups.

36 SBA loans
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What does the Charleston commercial real estate market look like?

Charleston is one of the fastest-growing CRE markets in the Southeast, propelled by Boeing's 787 Dreamliner final assembly facility, a booming port, and a tourism economy that generates over $8 billion annually. The Mount Pleasant and Daniel Island submarkets attract affluent residential and Class A office demand, while North Charleston's Intermodal Container Transfer Facility links the Port of Charleston to national rail networks, driving industrial and logistics development. The Upper Peninsula neighborhood in downtown Charleston's Neck area has emerged as a development frontier, with large-scale mixed-use and tech-oriented projects reshaping the formerly industrial corridor. The historic district's strict preservation requirements create a constrained supply environment for hospitality and retail properties, supporting premium rents.

Key Economic Drivers

  • Boeing South Carolina's 787 Dreamliner campus employing thousands and anchoring an aerospace supplier cluster
  • Port of Charleston, one of the deepest harbors on the East Coast, driving warehouse and logistics demand
  • Tourism industry generating over $8 billion annually and sustaining high hospitality occupancy rates
  • Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Roper St. Francis healthcare system expansions

Market Insight

The Port of Charleston's harbor deepening project to 52 feet is enabling it to handle the largest post-Panamax container vessels, positioning the metro for significant growth in port-adjacent industrial and cold storage CRE demand.

How do sba 504 loans work in Charleston, South Carolina?

SBA 504 loans provide long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets like commercial real estate and heavy equipment. The loan is split between a bank (50%), a Certified Development Company (40%), and your down payment (10%), resulting in below-market rates on the CDC portion. In the Charleston metro area, borrowers can access 17 lenders offering SBA 504 financing, including Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville, and surrounding areas. Loan amounts typically range from $125K to $17M with rates from Below market (CDC portion ~5-6%).

Who should consider sba 504 loans?

  • Owner-occupied commercial real estate
  • Heavy equipment purchase
  • Business expansion
  • New construction

What are the key requirements?

  • For-profit business
  • Net worth under $15M
  • Average net income under $5M (after taxes) for prior 2 years
  • 51%+ owner occupancy
  • Create or retain jobs (1 per $90,000 CDC)

Advantages

  • Only 10% down payment
  • Below-market fixed rate on CDC portion
  • Long terms (20-25 years for RE)
  • No balloon payments

Considerations

  • Must be owner-occupied (51%+ for existing, 60%+ for new construction)
  • Cannot be used for working capital
  • Longer closing timeline
  • Two closings (bank + CDC)

SBA 504 Loans in Charleston FAQ

How many SBA 504 lenders serve Charleston, SC?
There are 17 lenders offering sba 504 loans in the Charleston metro area. Of these, 3 are headquartered in South Carolina, including Certified Development Corporation of South Carolina, Provident Business Financial Services, Inc., Appalachian Development Corporation. Loan amounts typically range from 125K to 17M with rates from Below market (CDC portion ~5-6%).
What are SBA 504 loan rates in Charleston?
SBA 504 loan rates in Charleston typically range from Below market (CDC portion ~5-6%), though exact rates depend on factors like your credit score, the property's cash flow, and loan-to-value ratio. Down payments usually run 10%, and closing can take 45-90 days. Compare multiple Charleston-area lenders to find the best terms for your deal.
What is a Certified Development Company (CDC)?
CDCs are SBA-certified nonprofit organizations that partner with banks to provide the 504 loan. They handle the SBA-backed 40% portion of the financing.
Can I use SBA 504 for a rental property?
No. SBA 504 requires 51%+ owner occupancy for existing buildings. It's designed for businesses that will operate from the property.
How is the SBA 504 loan structured?
50% from a bank or lender (first lien), 40% from a CDC backed by SBA (second lien), and 10% from the borrower as down payment.

Where else can I find sba 504 loans in South Carolina?

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