Top SBA Banks for Loans for Doctors

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Last annual update: Apr 15, 2023

Starting or expanding a medical practice is never inexpensive. There are certain costs and expenses that all doctors face, such as office and exam room furniture, office equipment (phone system, computers, copier), rent, and many other fixed and variable monthly costs.

Over time, a new medical practice builds a loyal following from nearby residents because of its convenience, reputation, the insurance it accepts, and the networks it participates in.

An SBA loan can help get your medical practice off the ground or expand an existing practice. In addition, it can be used to buy new equipment, purchase another medical practice, and many other purposes.

 

Benefits of owning a medical practice

Along with the high earning potential, the biggest benefit of owning a medical practice is the satisfaction you experience from helping people. Knowing that people put their trust in you because of your years of training and dedication to helping people feel their best is very gratifying.

Owning a medical practice also means you’ll make a nice living. Owning a thriving medical practice will provide financial security (primary care physician’s average earnings are $260,000, $368,000 for specialists) and allow you to get your benefits through your practice (health, life, disability insurance).

 

How to obtain financing to open, expand, or buy a medical practice

If you’re looking for medical practice financing, consider applying for an SBA loan. The various loan programs offered by the Small Business Administration can help provide the funding you need to set up your business.

The SBA is a government agency that doesn’t lend you the money directly. Instead, it guarantees a significant portion of your loan. That lowers the risk profile for SBA’s lending partners, which include conventional banks and financial institutions, so they’re more willing to approve loan requests.

You also must put significantly less cash or equity down to qualify with an SBA loan. And, with an SBA loan, no covenants or collateral is required.

The most common SBA medical practice loans include the SBA 7(a) and Express loans.

 

SBA 7(a) loan for starting or buying a medical practice

The 7(a) is the preferred SBA loan for medical practices. You can use the funds made available through this program to purchase equipment, expand your current location, or even buy another doctor’s practice.

If you own an existing medical practice and want to buy out a partner, you can also utilize the funds from an SBA 7(a) loan for that purpose.

The maximum SBA loan for a medical practice is $5 million and is generally repaid with monthly payments that include interest.

The payment stays the same for fixed-rate loans since the interest rate is locked in. However, for variable rate loans, it’s up to the lender to request a different payment amount if the interest rate changes.

 

SBA Express Loans for medical practices

SBA Express Loans are a part of the agency’s 7(a) loan program. Up to $500,000 can be borrowed under an Express loan. The approval times are typically much faster for these loans.

Express loans over $25,000 have a collateral requirement. The SBA usually responds to Express loan applications within 36 hours.

The lenders ultimately make all eligibility and credit decisions. The market prime rate plus 4.5-6% interest is applied with repayment terms of up to 10 years.

 

How to apply for an SBA medical practice loan

Access our network of SBA lenders that includes leading nationwide banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. Our lending partners are experienced in handling applications for medical practices, so they will diligently pursue your opportunity.

There are countless SBA approved lenders that are ready to offer you a medical practice SBA loan. These are just some of the top lenders:

RankBank# of LoansRateTerm(mos)Avg Loan
1JPMorgan Chase Bank718.5%125$301,635
2Wells Fargo647.5%210$521,720
3U.S. Bank437.7%110$235,726
4Stearns Bank428.4%115$147,724
5First Home Bank388.1%125$292,605
6Huntington National Bank377.5%151$248,176
7Citizens Bank277.7%130$519,504
8Newtek Small Business Finance248.1%165$978,854
9BBVA USA216.2%218$1,386,343
10TD Bank219.1%119$244,433
11First-Citizens Bank & Trust186.6%202$592,000
12Oriental Bank187.3%109$165,639
13Bank of the West166.1%210$515,444
14United Midwest Savings Bank168.0%132$326,813
15Live Oak146.3%279$2,089,371
16Spirit of Texas Bank147.6%133$278,450
17United Community Bank146.9%194$1,068,929
18BB&T136.5%143$673,792
19PNC Bank126.8%189$373,500
20Bank of America115.7%260$744,891
YearType of Doctor# of LoansRateTerm(mos)Avg Loan
2019Physicians4757.3%154$576,976
2018Physicians5667.2%152$542,031
2017Physicians7276.5%141$461,578
2016Physicians8126.0%144$511,498
2019Chiropractors4847.5%130$229,699
2018Chiropractors4847.2%126$209,243
2017Chiropractors5776.6%121$185,954
2016Chiropractors5306.1%108$160,870
2019Optometrists1127.2%158$479,017
2018Optometrists1266.7%161$501,875
2017Optometrists1676.1%140$429,347
2016Optometrists2385.7%146$409,804
2019Podiatrists497.7%132$423,651
2018Podiatrists447.0%123$261,730
2017Podiatrists616.9%114$262,992
2016Podiatrists546.1%126$207,093

  find me a doctor loan