Huntington
Huntington National Bank Review 2026
Updated August 24, 2026
Top SBA 7(a) lender by loan count, Midwest/Mid-Atlantic strength
Quick answer
Huntington National Bank is one of the top SBA 7(a) lenders by loan count, with PLP delegated authority and strength on smaller $150K–$500K loans, SBA Express, and franchise SBA. Its branch network is concentrated in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, making it less dominant for jumbo $1M+ 7(a) loans or borrowers in the South and West.
Who Huntington National Bank is best for
Smaller 7(a) loans $150K–$500K, franchise SBA, SBA Express
At a glance
- PLP status
- Yes
- 7(a) volume tier
- Top by count
- Loan-size sweet spot
- $150K–$500K
- Footprint
- Midwest/Mid-Atlantic
Delegated SBA authority
High loan-count volume
Strong on smaller 7(a)
National reach
Pros
- +One of the highest SBA 7(a) loan-count lenders nationally
- +Efficient processing for smaller 7(a) and SBA Express
- +Strong franchise SBA expertise
- +Local branch network across Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
Cons
- −Less dominant on jumbo $1M+ 7(a) than volume-by-dollar lenders
- −Geographic strength is Midwest/Mid-Atlantic; weaker in South and West
Huntington National Bank requirements
- 680+ FICO typical
- 2+ years TIB
- DSCR 1.15+
- SBA size-standard eligible
◆ ClearValue platform data
How SBA-seeking businesses fared in our data
This review is lender-specific, but ClearValue's own platform data adds real context on the SBA borrower pool. Of the 1,465 applications that reached underwriting on our legacy platform, 82.6% matched to at least one funding option — and the strongest-qualifying structures were C-corps (86%) and S-corps (76%), the entity types most SBA 7(a) files take.
Our data shows the number-one decline reason across 433 recorded declines was insufficient revenue (126 declines), not credit score — a reminder that an SBA lender like this one underwrites cash flow and 2+ years of clean financials first. Bring a use-of-funds memo and a debt schedule to match the SBA 7(a) documentation bar.
Primary sources: SBA — 7(a) loans · Federal Reserve — Small Business Credit Survey
Figures are PII-safe aggregates (every group n≥20) from ClearValue's legacy loan-application platform (Feb 2025–Jul 2026). Applicants were actively seeking alternative business financing, so the sample skews toward businesses with weaker traditional-bank access — directional, not a representative survey of all U.S. small businesses.
Huntington National Bank alternatives
Top alternatives worth comparing from Best SBA Preferred Lender Banks 2026.
Live Oak Bank
Live Oak Bank
Practice acquisitions, self-storage, hotels, breweries
Newtek Bank
Newtek Bank
Technology, professional services, digital-native businesses
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo SBA
Existing Wells customers, SBA 504 real-estate deals
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 2026-08-24
Compare Huntington National Bank head-to-head
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Editorial methodology + complete ranking criteria + side-by-side comparison of all picks.
Read the full guide →Bottom line
Huntington National 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: Smaller 7(a) loans $150K–$500K, franchise SBA, SBA Express
◆ 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 Huntington National Bank
Why is Huntington Bank ranked highly by SBA 7(a) loan count?+
Huntington consistently places at the top of SBA 7(a) lenders by number of loans originated — not just by dollar volume. High loan counts reflect efficient processing on smaller and mid-range 7(a) loans, strong franchise SBA activity, and broad reach across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic footprint. Borrowers in those regions benefit from both local branch presence and an experienced SBA team.
What is SBA Express and how does it differ from a standard 7(a) loan?+
SBA Express is a streamlined version of the 7(a) program for loans up to $500K. It offers a faster turnaround because the lender holds delegated credit-decision authority, approving using its own underwriting rather than waiting on SBA review, versus a longer timeline for standard 7(a). The tradeoff is a lower SBA guarantee percentage. Huntington offers SBA Express as part of its 7(a) lineup. The SBA describes Express details at sba.gov.
Does Huntington Bank have SBA lending outside the Midwest?+
Yes — Huntington holds national PLP status, which means it can originate SBA loans beyond its branch footprint. That said, its operational depth and relationship infrastructure are strongest in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, where it has the densest branch presence for local business banking support.
What are the typical credit and financial requirements for a Huntington SBA loan?+
Huntington's SBA underwriting generally targets 680+ FICO, 2+ years in business, and a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) of at least 1.15 — the SBA's standard threshold meaning the business generates $1.15 for every $1.00 of annual debt service. Franchise borrowers may find Huntington's franchise-specific SBA experience particularly useful. Exact requirements vary by loan size and borrower profile; the SBA's published eligibility standards are available at 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.