SBA 7(a) loans $350K to $5M via Venturus, median 10.25% variable (Prime-based). SBA Preferred Lender in Burlington, KY lending in 49 states. Best for buyouts and franchises.
What the financing costs, normalized so lenders can be compared.
How and how fast you pay it back, and how flexible it is.
Who qualifies and what you have to put on the line.
How fast you get funded and how the lender treats you.
Who actually stands behind the lender: legal entity, registration, and how long the business and its website have existed. Checked against public registries.

Best for: Owners buying a business, franchise or building who need an SBA 7(a) loan of $350K to $5M and can inject 10% on a startup or buyout.
Not for: Borrowers wanting a posted rate, fast funding or a fixed-rate 7(a) loan.
Lender List verdict: Heritage Bank, a Kentucky SBA Preferred Lender, approved 107 SBA 7(a) loans worth $89.2M in the 12 months to June 30, 2026, and has lent in 49 states since FY2020. Recent loans started near 10.25% variable.
| Heritage Bank | |
|---|---|
| Lender type | FDIC-insured bank; SBA Preferred Lender |
| Founded / HQ | 1990 / Burlington, Kentucky |
| Amounts | $350K to $5M (7(a), via Venturus); 504 up to $5M |
| Cost (headline) | Median 10.25% variable, last 12 months |
| Term | Median 120 months |
| Status | Active; last SBA approval June 18, 2026 |
Heritage Bank KY is a $1.99 billion independent Burlington bank founded in 1990. It has approved 608 SBA 7(a) loans since FY2020, mostly out of state, led by California, Florida and Texas.
Heritage Bank makes 7(a) loans of $350K to $5M nationwide through Venturus, its in-house SBA division (SBA data also shows smaller loans, from $25,000).
Heritage Bank's SBA 7(a) loans had a median 10.25% starting rate in the 12 months to June 30, 2026. With Prime at 6.75% to 7.50%, the implied spread was 2.75 to 3.5 points; the bank does not publish it. At today's 7.00% Prime, loans over $350K are capped at 10.0%, so 10.25% fits only the $250,001 to $350K tier (cap 11.5%).
Worked example: $350,000 over 10 years at 10.25% costs $4,673.87 a month. Interest totals $210,863.81; add the $7,875 SBA guaranty fee ($350,000 × 75% × 3%) and total cost is $218,738.81, about 10.8% APR.
Heritage Bank follows SBA 7(a) rules and publishes no credit score or time-in-business minimum.
| Requirement (SBA rule unless noted) | Heritage Bank |
|---|---|
| Business size | Within the SBA size standard |
| Equity injection | 10% for startups and buyouts |
| Personal guarantee | Owners of 20% or more |
| Credit score / time in business | Lender does not publish |
| Typical time to close | Lender does not publish; 60 to 90 days typical for 7(a) |
Where Is Heritage Bank Located? Heritage Bank is headquartered in Burlington, Kentucky, with 19 branches across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, including Williamstown, Kentucky, and branches in Ohio. You need not live nearby to borrow: its SBA 7(a) borrowers since FY2020 span 49 states.
Is Heritage Bank an SBA Preferred Lender? Yes. Heritage Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender, so it approves 7(a) loans in-house without waiting on SBA review. It made 107 SBA 7(a) loans in the 12 months to June 30, 2026, and has 14 charge-offs on 608 loans since FY2020.
How Long Does Heritage Bank Take to Close an SBA Loan? Heritage Bank does not publish a timeline. Standard 7(a) loans often take 60 to 90 days, and Preferred Lenders save 5 to 10 business days by skipping SBA review. Expect full credit underwriting on Venturus loans, which start at $350K.
Does Heritage Bank Lend to Startups? Yes, for franchises. Heritage Bank lists franchise start-ups for select brands as an eligible 7(a) use, with Venturus loans of $350K to $5M. Startups must inject at least 10% of project cost, and owners of 20% or more must guarantee the loan.
Compare more SBA 7(a) lenders, or see Colony Bank and Newtek Bank.
SBA figures: SBA 7(a) FOIA data, FY2020–present, as of June 30, 2026 (data.sba.gov).
Last verified 2026-10-27. Pricing and terms are provider-stated or third-party-reported and vary by offer; confirm with the lender before applying.
Best for: Owners buying a business, franchise or building who need an SBA 7(a) loan of $350K to $5M and can inject 10% on a startup or buyout.
Not for: Borrowers wanting a posted rate, fast funding or a fixed-rate 7(a) loan.
Lender List verdict: Heritage Bank, a Kentucky SBA Preferred Lender, approved 107 SBA 7(a) loans worth $89.2M in the 12 months to June 30, 2026, and has lent in 49 states since FY2020. Recent loans started near 10.25% variable.
| Heritage Bank | |
|---|---|
| Lender type | FDIC-insured bank; SBA Preferred Lender |
| Founded / HQ | 1990 / Burlington, Kentucky |
| Amounts | $350K to $5M (7(a), via Venturus); 504 up to $5M |
| Cost (headline) | Median 10.25% variable, last 12 months |
| Term | Median 120 months |
| Status | Active; last SBA approval June 18, 2026 |
Heritage Bank KY is a $1.99 billion independent Burlington bank founded in 1990. It has approved 608 SBA 7(a) loans since FY2020, mostly out of state, led by California, Florida and Texas.
Heritage Bank makes 7(a) loans of $350K to $5M nationwide through Venturus, its in-house SBA division (SBA data also shows smaller loans, from $25,000).
Heritage Bank's SBA 7(a) loans had a median 10.25% starting rate in the 12 months to June 30, 2026. With Prime at 6.75% to 7.50%, the implied spread was 2.75 to 3.5 points; the bank does not publish it. At today's 7.00% Prime, loans over $350K are capped at 10.0%, so 10.25% fits only the $250,001 to $350K tier (cap 11.5%).
Worked example: $350,000 over 10 years at 10.25% costs $4,673.87 a month. Interest totals $210,863.81; add the $7,875 SBA guaranty fee ($350,000 × 75% × 3%) and total cost is $218,738.81, about 10.8% APR.
Heritage Bank follows SBA 7(a) rules and publishes no credit score or time-in-business minimum.
| Requirement (SBA rule unless noted) | Heritage Bank |
|---|---|
| Business size | Within the SBA size standard |
| Equity injection | 10% for startups and buyouts |
| Personal guarantee | Owners of 20% or more |
| Credit score / time in business | Lender does not publish |
| Typical time to close | Lender does not publish; 60 to 90 days typical for 7(a) |
Where Is Heritage Bank Located? Heritage Bank is headquartered in Burlington, Kentucky, with 19 branches across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, including Williamstown, Kentucky, and branches in Ohio. You need not live nearby to borrow: its SBA 7(a) borrowers since FY2020 span 49 states.
Is Heritage Bank an SBA Preferred Lender? Yes. Heritage Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender, so it approves 7(a) loans in-house without waiting on SBA review. It made 107 SBA 7(a) loans in the 12 months to June 30, 2026, and has 14 charge-offs on 608 loans since FY2020.
How Long Does Heritage Bank Take to Close an SBA Loan? Heritage Bank does not publish a timeline. Standard 7(a) loans often take 60 to 90 days, and Preferred Lenders save 5 to 10 business days by skipping SBA review. Expect full credit underwriting on Venturus loans, which start at $350K.
Does Heritage Bank Lend to Startups? Yes, for franchises. Heritage Bank lists franchise start-ups for select brands as an eligible 7(a) use, with Venturus loans of $350K to $5M. Startups must inject at least 10% of project cost, and owners of 20% or more must guarantee the loan.
Compare more SBA 7(a) lenders, or see Colony Bank and Newtek Bank.
SBA figures: SBA 7(a) FOIA data, FY2020–present, as of June 30, 2026 (data.sba.gov).
Last verified 2026-10-27. Pricing and terms are provider-stated or third-party-reported and vary by offer; confirm with the lender before applying.
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