Byline Bank and Celtic Bank are both specialty SBA lenders with PLP status and national reach, but they sit at opposite ends of the loan-size spectrum — Byline runs $250K–$5M standard 7(a) with healthcare and franchise depth, Celtic runs a highly automated $150K–$500K SBA Express-focused process. Pick by loan size and whether industry specialization or digital speed matters more. Confirm current program terms directly at sba.gov.
Byline Bank
Chicago-HQ specialty SBA bank with national 7(a) platform
Pros
Celtic Bank
Top SBA 7(a) lender by loan count, efficient smaller-loan platform
Pros
| Spec | Byline Bank | Celtic Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Midwestern borrowers, specialty SBA depth without national-bank overhead | SBA 7(a) $150K–$500K, SBA Express, efficient digital process |
◈ marks the stronger option for that row.
Pick Byline Bank if: Midwestern borrowers, specialty SBA depth without national-bank overhead
Pick Celtic Bank if: SBA 7(a) $150K–$500K, SBA Express, efficient digital process
See all picks, methodology, and side-by-side comparison in Best SBA Preferred Lender Banks.
Both are specialty SBA banks — SBA is a core product line for each, not a side offering at a generalist bank — and both hold PLP status with national reach. Byline Bank (Chicago HQ) runs $250,000–$5M standard 7(a) loans with particular healthcare and franchise activity and Midwest regional depth. Celtic Bank (Salt Lake City HQ) is a digital-first, top-by-loan-count lender focused on the $150,000–$500,000 bracket and SBA Express. If your loan is larger or in healthcare/franchise, look at Byline; if it's smaller and speed matters most, Celtic. (ClearValue Lending is a platform, not the lender — we route applications to lender partners.)
Byline Bank names healthcare and franchise as active specialty areas across its $250K–$5M standard 7(a) range, with dedicated SBA bankers as a core business line. Celtic Bank also serves franchise borrowers but its platform is built around a highly automated, fast intake for the smaller $150K–$500K bracket rather than sector-specific underwriting depth. For a healthcare acquisition or a franchise loan above $500K, Byline's specialty range fits better; for a smaller franchise SBA Express loan, Celtic's speed may win out.
Byline Bank's standard 7(a) range runs $250,000–$5,000,000 — it's positioned for mid-size to larger SBA files. Celtic Bank's sweet spot is $150,000–$500,000, with a highly automated workflow built for SBA Express and smaller standard 7(a) loans. If your financing need is above $500K, Byline's range fits directly; below that threshold, Celtic's digital-first process is built for exactly that size.
Both banks generally target a minimum personal FICO of 680+ for the borrower and any guarantors, at least 2 years in business, and a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) of 1.15 or higher — meaning the business generates $1.15 of cash flow for every $1.00 of annual debt service. The business must also meet SBA size standards, which vary by industry (see the NAICS-based standards at sba.gov). See the full SBA loan requirements breakdown for the complete eligibility picture.
Yes — both hold SBA Preferred Lender Program (PLP) status, meaning each bank's SBA team can approve, close, and service most 7(a) loans in-house without routing the file back to the SBA for line-by-line review. PLP status typically shortens a clean file's timeline to roughly 45–90 days versus 60–120+ days at a non-PLP lender. Verify current PLP status at sba.gov.
No. ClearValue Lending is a small business funding platform — not a bank, lender, or financial advisor. Byline Bank and Celtic Bank are independent, FDIC-insured commercial banks and SBA PLP lenders. All loan terms, approvals, and eligibility determinations are made solely by each respective bank. Verify current terms at bylinebank.com, celticbank.com, and sba.gov.
Independent editorial comparison. ClearValue Lending is not the issuer of any product compared here; affiliate links may pay a referral commission at no cost to you — selection is independent of compensation.