Live Oak Bank Review

★ 4.6/5

#1 SBA Lender for Construction

Live Oak is the country's most active SBA lender, and that scale shows for construction firms buying property or refinancing debt. Expect the lowest long-term rates in exchange for a slower, document-heavy SBA process.

Rates: From 9.5% Loan range: $75,000 – $5,000,000 Terms: Up to 25 years (real estate) Min credit: 650 Time in business: Any (strong profile) Funding speed: 30–60 days (SBA)

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Pros

✓Nation's #1 SBA lender by volume
✓Long terms lower monthly payments
✓Strong for ground-up and owner-occupied projects
✓Works with growing construction firms

Cons

✕SBA process takes 30–90 days
✕Requires strong credit (650+ minimum)
✕Not for urgent capital needs

Financing products

SBA 7(a)SBA 504Equipment financingCommercial real estate

Who Live Oak Bank is best for

Live Oak Bank is a strong fit for sba, commercial, equipment. #1 SBA Lender for Construction makes it worth a quote if those describe your business. As always, compare at least two or three offers before committing — terms vary widely based on your credit, revenue, and time in business.

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Compare other lenders

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★ 4.4/5

Best Line of Credit for Cash Flow

Review last updated June 2026. How we rate lenders. Advertising disclosure.