Cadence Bank
Cadence Bank Review 2026
Updated September 3, 2026
Merged into Huntington National Bank, effective February 2026
Quick answer
Cadence Bank completed its merger into Huntington National Bank on February 1, 2026 (a $7.4B, 100%-stock deal announced October 2025). Cadence Bank no longer exists as an independent bank — cadencebank.com now redirects to a Huntington transition page, and new SBA 7(a) and 504 applications for the former Cadence footprint (Southeast, Texas, Mississippi) go through Huntington's SBA team. If you had an existing Cadence SBA relationship, Huntington's own transition materials are the authoritative source on next steps.
Who Cadence Bank is best for
Former Cadence Southeast/Texas relationships — SBA now handled through Huntington
At a glance
- PLP status
- Yes
- Programs
- 7(a), 504
- Geographic strength
- SE + Texas
- 504 focus
- Commercial RE
Delegated SBA authority
SBA program suite
Regional bank, PLP-designated
Strong on real-estate-backed 504
Pros
- +Southeast and Texas commercial-banking depth carries over under Huntington's ownership
- +SBA 504 paired with commercial real-estate banking remains a strong combination post-merger
- +PLP designation carries over — delegated SBA authority and a 45-60 day close target under Huntington
- +Existing Cadence relationship managers and account teams transitioned to Huntington per the banks' own transition materials
Cons
- −Cadence Bank no longer operates as an independent bank — its merger into Huntington National Bank completed February 1, 2026, per Huntington's SEC filings and investor announcements
- −cadencebank.com now redirects to a Huntington transition page; new SBA applications go through Huntington's SBA team, not a standalone Cadence application
Cadence Bank requirements
- 680+ FICO typical
- 2+ years TIB
- DSCR 1.15+
- SBA size-standard eligible
◆ ClearValue platform data
SBA lending hit a record in FY2025
The SBA guaranteed 85,000 small business loans (7(a) and 504 combined) for $45 billion in loans in FY2025 — the highest level on record and a 59% increase over the FY2020 pandemic low — per the SBA's FY2025 Annual Report. Cadence Bank's SBA Preferred Lender authority — delegated approval to underwrite and close 7(a) loans in-house rather than routing every file through SBA for sign-off — carried over to Huntington National Bank when the merger closed February 1, 2026, inside that expanding program.
Primary sources: SBA — FY2025 Annual Report
National SBA lending-program aggregate data, not a quote from Cadence Bank specifically.
Cadence Bank alternatives
Top alternatives worth comparing from Best SBA Preferred Lender Banks 2026.
Live Oak Bank
Live Oak Bank
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Newtek Bank
Newtek Bank
Technology, professional services, digital-native businesses
Huntington
Huntington National Bank
Smaller 7(a) loans $150K–$500K, franchise SBA, SBA Express
Ready to apply?
Application takes minutes. Pre-qualification (where available) uses a soft credit pull with no impact to your credit score.
See if you qualify→Last verified at the issuer on 2026-09-03
Compare Cadence Bank head-to-head
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Read the full guide →Bottom line
Cadence Bank scores 4.0 / 5 on the ClearValue Rating — a deterministic editorial composite from the product's own published fees, terms, and eligibility. Best for: Former Cadence Southeast/Texas relationships — SBA now handled through Huntington
◆ How we scored it
The ClearValue Rating, broken down.
- Cost
- 35%
- Fit & approval odds
- 30%
- Speed & terms
- 20%
- Transparency
- 15%
Cost (35%), Fit & approval odds (30%), Speed & terms (20%), Transparency (15%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation. Full methodology →
Frequently asked
Questions about Cadence Bank
What is the SBA 504 loan and how does it work with commercial real estate?+
The SBA 504 is a two-lender structure designed for the acquisition, construction, or renovation of owner-occupied commercial real estate. The borrower contributes ~10% down; a Certified Development Company (CDC) provides 40% in a fixed-rate SBA debenture; and the bank (in this case Cadence) provides the remaining 50%. The CDC's portion has a fixed rate set at the time of approval — providing rate certainty on 40% of the debt load. This structure allows businesses to acquire commercial property with as little as 10% down, preserving working capital. The SBA publishes current 504 debenture rates at sba.gov.
What geographic areas does Cadence Bank SBA serve best?+
Cadence Bank's Southeast and Texas commercial-banking footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Florida, and several other states) now operates under Huntington National Bank, following the two banks' merger completed February 1, 2026. Borrowers in those regions get the same regional relationship-banking approach, now backed by Huntington's larger national SBA platform. For SBA applications, use Huntington's SBA page rather than cadencebank.com, which now redirects to a Huntington account-transition page.
How is Cadence Bank's SBA 7(a) loan different from its SBA 504?+
Cadence Bank offers both SBA 7(a) and SBA 504. The 7(a) is a general-purpose loan — it can fund working capital, equipment, inventory, business acquisition, or real estate. The 504 is specifically structured for fixed assets (primarily commercial real estate) using the two-lender structure with the CDC. If you're buying real estate, the 504 typically offers lower down payment and a fixed rate on the CDC portion. If you need working capital or equipment alongside real estate, or if the real estate is investment rather than owner-occupied, a 7(a) may be the right tool. SBA published guidelines at sba.gov cover both programs.
Is ClearValue Lending affiliated with Cadence Bank or Huntington National Bank?+
No. ClearValue Lending is a small business funding platform — not a bank, lender, or financial advisor. Cadence Bank merged into Huntington National Bank, an independent FDIC-insured commercial bank and SBA PLP lender, effective February 1, 2026. All loan terms, approvals, and eligibility determinations for the former Cadence SBA book are now made solely by Huntington National Bank. Verify current terms at huntington.com and sba.gov.
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Independent editorial review. ClearValue Lending is a business & personal financing platform — not a lender, broker, or financial advisor. Some links are affiliate links; the issuer may pay a referral commission at no cost to you, which never changes the score. Specific product terms vary; verify with the issuer before applying. See privacy policy.