SouthState Bank
SBA Preferred Lender bank (FL HQ, 8 states): SBA 7(a) up to $5M, 9.5% median rate (last 12 months), no published credit minimum, collateral required. Best for established owners.
Rates & Cost
What the financing costs, normalized so lenders can be compared.
Repayment Terms
How and how fast you pay it back, and how flexible it is.
Eligibility & Access
Who qualifies and what you have to put on the line.
Speed & Service
How fast you get funded and how the lender treats you.
Company Verification
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: Established businesses, franchisees and buyers in the Southeast, Texas, Colorado or Virginia who want an SBA 7(a) loan of about $150K to $5M from a large regional bank.
Not for: Borrowers who want posted rates, an unsecured loan, or a small Express-style loan under $100K.
Lender List verdict: SouthState Bank approved 109 SBA 7(a) loans worth $63.4 million in the 12 months to June 2026, nearly all as a Preferred Lender, at a 9.5% median starting rate. Every one was collateralized, and the bank publishes no rates, so pricing comes from a banker.
SouthState Bank SBA loans at a glance
| SouthState Bank | |
|---|---|
| Lender type | National bank (FDIC cert 33555); SBA Preferred Lender |
| Founded | 1992 charter (as First National Bank of Polk County; later CenterState Bank) |
| HQ | Winter Haven, Florida |
| Parent / owner | SouthState Bank Corporation (NYSE: SSB) |
| Products | SBA 7(a), including a few SBA Express loans and lines |
| Amounts | $50,000 to $4,530,000 in the last 12 months; median $350,000 |
| Cost | 9.5% median starting rate (last 12 months) |
| Term | 120 to 300 months (120 on most loans) |
| Funding speed | Often 60 to 90 days for a standard 7(a) |
| Status | Active |
What is SouthState Bank?
SouthState Bank is a Winter Haven, Florida national bank with $68.8 billion in assets and 373 offices at June 30, 2026, owned by SouthState Bank Corporation. It serves eight states: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
Today's bank runs on a charter opened in 1992 as First National Bank of Polk County and renamed CenterState in 2006. CenterState merged with South State Bank in June 2020 and took its name, then absorbed Atlantic Capital Bank in 2022 and Texas-based Independent Bank on January 1, 2025.
How SouthState Bank's SBA loans work
SouthState Bank makes SBA 7(a) loans across its footprint, with Florida (26), Georgia (22), Texas (12) and Colorado (12) leading the last 12 months.
- Size: typically $350,000; 17 of 109 topped $1 million
- Rate type: 104 of 109 variable, tied to Prime
- Terms: 120 to 300 months; 120 on 77 loans, 300 on 15 (real estate)
- Collateral: taken on all 109
- Common borrowers: restaurants, HVAC and plumbing contractors, auto repair shops, salons; 21 franchise loans
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA data, FY2020–present, as of June 30, 2026 (data.sba.gov)
SouthState Bank's SBA programs
SouthState Bank processed 102 of its 109 recent SBA loans (average $581,644) under the Preferred Lenders Program, which lets it approve 7(a) loans without waiting on SBA review.
- Preferred Lender 7(a): $50,000 to $4,530,000, median $350,000, average $602,041
- SBA Express: 6 loans, $50,000 to $400,000, median $125,000
- Lines of credit: 6 revolving loans
Volume has cooled: 531 approvals in FY2024, 229 in FY2025 and 78 in the first nine months of FY2026.
SouthState Bank SBA rates and fees
SouthState Bank's median SBA starting rate was 9.5% on loans approved July 2025 to June 2026, with a range of 6.95% to 10.25%; Prime is 7.00% today. Loans over $350,000 ran lower, at an 8.75% median. Add the SBA guaranty fee: 3% of the guaranteed share on loans of $150,001 to $700,000.
Worked example: a $350,000, 120-month 7(a) at 9.5% costs $4,528.91 a month, or $193,469.74 in interest. The 9.5% rate is under the SBA's 11.5% ceiling for this size; with the $7,875 guaranty fee the APR is about 10.04%. Above $350,000 the ceiling is Prime plus 3%, or 10.0%.
SouthState Bank SBA loan requirements
SouthState Bank publishes no credit score, revenue or time-in-business minimum for SBA loans.
| Requirement | SouthState Bank minimum |
|---|---|
| Size | Small under SBA size standards |
| Personal credit score | Lender does not publish |
| Time in business | None stated; 35 of 109 recent loans went to startups or firms 2 years old or younger |
| Equity injection | 10%+ for startups and business purchases |
| Collateral / guarantee | Collateral on all 109 recent loans; guarantee from 20%+ owners |
| Time to close | Often 60 to 90 days (standard 7(a)) |
Pros and cons
SouthState Bank's main strengths are Preferred Lender speed and large loans; its main drawbacks are collateral on every loan and no published pricing.
Pros
- Preferred Lender: 102 of 109 recent loans approved in-house
- Big tickets: 17 loans over $1 million in the last year, up to $4.53 million
- No recent rate above 10.25% (last 12 months)
- 300-month terms when real estate is involved
- Finances business purchases (14 recent loans) and franchises
- 30 charge-offs among 2,139 approvals since FY2020 (1.4%)
Cons
- No rates, fees or minimums published
- Collateral taken on every recent loan
- Few small loans: only 19 of 109 were $150,000 or less
- Almost all variable-rate, so payments move with Prime
- SBA volume down sharply since FY2024
SouthState Bank vs. Busey Bank vs. Lendistry
SouthState Bank's 9.5% median rate compares with Busey Bank's 9.01% FY2026 average; Lendistry is the only one of the three that publishes rates and credit minimums.
| SouthState Bank | Busey Bank | Lendistry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max amount | $4,530,000 largest recent loan; SBA cap $5M | Not published; SBA cap $5M | $5,000,000 SBA 7(a) |
| Pricing | 9.5% median (last 12 months) | 9.01% average (FY2026) | Variable from 7.75% (over $350K) or 8.25% ($350K or less) |
| Min FICO | Lender does not publish | Lender does not publish | 620 |
| Min time in business | Lender does not publish | Lender does not publish | 2 years |
| Min annual revenue | Lender does not publish | Lender does not publish | No dollar minimum |
| Repayment | Monthly; 120 to 300 months | Up to 300 months | 120 to 300 months |
| Early payoff | SBA fee only on 15+ year loans prepaid early | Same SBA rule | Same SBA rule |
Choose SouthState Bank if you are in its eight states and need a larger, collateralized loan. Choose Busey Bank if you want a Preferred Lender that advertises down payments as low as 10%. Choose Lendistry if you want published rates and minimums and a faster small-loan track.
SouthState Bank alternatives on Lender List
The closest SouthState Bank alternatives on Lender List are Busey Bank, Lendistry and iBusiness Funding.
- Busey Bank — Preferred Lender with SBA terms up to 25 years
- Lendistry — SBA lender that posts rates and a 620 credit floor
- iBusiness Funding — national SBA platform with a 640 credit floor
- Browse all SBA 7(a) lenders on Lender List
Frequently asked questions about SouthState Bank
Is South State Bank a Good Bank? For SBA borrowers, yes. SouthState Bank is FDIC-insured, held $68.8 billion in assets at June 2026, and recorded 30 charge-offs among 2,139 SBA 7(a) approvals since FY2020 (1.4%). A class action over its February 2024 cyber incident settled, with court approval in June 2026.
Who Owns South State Bank? SouthState Bank Corporation, a publicly traded financial holding company (NYSE: SSB) based in Winter Haven, Florida, owns 100% of SouthState Bank, N.A. The company has used the SouthState name since its 2020 merger with CenterState and added Independent Bank Group of Texas in January 2025.
Where Is South State Bank Headquarters? SouthState Bank is headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida; its parent company lists 1101 First Street South as its address. It operates 373 offices across Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia, and its SBA borrowers since FY2020 are spread across 40 states.
Is CenterState Bank the Same as SouthState Bank? Yes. SouthState Bank operates on the national charter CenterState used, first opened in 1992 as First National Bank of Polk County. CenterState absorbed South State Bank on June 8, 2020, and took the South State name that day, then restyled it as SouthState Bank, N.A. in November 2021.
How Long Does SouthState Bank Take to Close an SBA Loan? Plan on 60 to 90 days to funding for a standard 7(a), or about 30 days for SBA Express. As a Preferred Lender, SouthState approves in-house and skips the 5 to 10 business-day SBA review, but appraisals and collateral work still take time.
Does SouthState Bank Lend to Startups? Yes. In the year to June 2026, 12 of its 109 SBA loans funded businesses not yet open and 23 more went to firms two years old or younger. Expect to bring a business plan, at least 10% equity, collateral and a personal guarantee.
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: Established businesses, franchisees and buyers in the Southeast, Texas, Colorado or Virginia who want an SBA 7(a) loan of about $150K to $5M from a large regional bank.
Not for: Borrowers who want posted rates, an unsecured loan, or a small Express-style loan under $100K.
Lender List verdict: SouthState Bank approved 109 SBA 7(a) loans worth $63.4 million in the 12 months to June 2026, nearly all as a Preferred Lender, at a 9.5% median starting rate. Every one was collateralized, and the bank publishes no rates, so pricing comes from a banker.
SouthState Bank SBA loans at a glance
| SouthState Bank | |
|---|---|
| Lender type | National bank (FDIC cert 33555); SBA Preferred Lender |
| Founded | 1992 charter (as First National Bank of Polk County; later CenterState Bank) |
| HQ | Winter Haven, Florida |
| Parent / owner | SouthState Bank Corporation (NYSE: SSB) |
| Products | SBA 7(a), including a few SBA Express loans and lines |
| Amounts | $50,000 to $4,530,000 in the last 12 months; median $350,000 |
| Cost | 9.5% median starting rate (last 12 months) |
| Term | 120 to 300 months (120 on most loans) |
| Funding speed | Often 60 to 90 days for a standard 7(a) |
| Status | Active |
What is SouthState Bank?
SouthState Bank is a Winter Haven, Florida national bank with $68.8 billion in assets and 373 offices at June 30, 2026, owned by SouthState Bank Corporation. It serves eight states: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
Today's bank runs on a charter opened in 1992 as First National Bank of Polk County and renamed CenterState in 2006. CenterState merged with South State Bank in June 2020 and took its name, then absorbed Atlantic Capital Bank in 2022 and Texas-based Independent Bank on January 1, 2025.
How SouthState Bank's SBA loans work
SouthState Bank makes SBA 7(a) loans across its footprint, with Florida (26), Georgia (22), Texas (12) and Colorado (12) leading the last 12 months.
- Size: typically $350,000; 17 of 109 topped $1 million
- Rate type: 104 of 109 variable, tied to Prime
- Terms: 120 to 300 months; 120 on 77 loans, 300 on 15 (real estate)
- Collateral: taken on all 109
- Common borrowers: restaurants, HVAC and plumbing contractors, auto repair shops, salons; 21 franchise loans
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA data, FY2020–present, as of June 30, 2026 (data.sba.gov)
SouthState Bank's SBA programs
SouthState Bank processed 102 of its 109 recent SBA loans (average $581,644) under the Preferred Lenders Program, which lets it approve 7(a) loans without waiting on SBA review.
- Preferred Lender 7(a): $50,000 to $4,530,000, median $350,000, average $602,041
- SBA Express: 6 loans, $50,000 to $400,000, median $125,000
- Lines of credit: 6 revolving loans
Volume has cooled: 531 approvals in FY2024, 229 in FY2025 and 78 in the first nine months of FY2026.
SouthState Bank SBA rates and fees
SouthState Bank's median SBA starting rate was 9.5% on loans approved July 2025 to June 2026, with a range of 6.95% to 10.25%; Prime is 7.00% today. Loans over $350,000 ran lower, at an 8.75% median. Add the SBA guaranty fee: 3% of the guaranteed share on loans of $150,001 to $700,000.
Worked example: a $350,000, 120-month 7(a) at 9.5% costs $4,528.91 a month, or $193,469.74 in interest. The 9.5% rate is under the SBA's 11.5% ceiling for this size; with the $7,875 guaranty fee the APR is about 10.04%. Above $350,000 the ceiling is Prime plus 3%, or 10.0%.
SouthState Bank SBA loan requirements
SouthState Bank publishes no credit score, revenue or time-in-business minimum for SBA loans.
| Requirement | SouthState Bank minimum |
|---|---|
| Size | Small under SBA size standards |
| Personal credit score | Lender does not publish |
| Time in business | None stated; 35 of 109 recent loans went to startups or firms 2 years old or younger |
| Equity injection | 10%+ for startups and business purchases |
| Collateral / guarantee | Collateral on all 109 recent loans; guarantee from 20%+ owners |
| Time to close | Often 60 to 90 days (standard 7(a)) |
Pros and cons
SouthState Bank's main strengths are Preferred Lender speed and large loans; its main drawbacks are collateral on every loan and no published pricing.
Pros
- Preferred Lender: 102 of 109 recent loans approved in-house
- Big tickets: 17 loans over $1 million in the last year, up to $4.53 million
- No recent rate above 10.25% (last 12 months)
- 300-month terms when real estate is involved
- Finances business purchases (14 recent loans) and franchises
- 30 charge-offs among 2,139 approvals since FY2020 (1.4%)
Cons
- No rates, fees or minimums published
- Collateral taken on every recent loan
- Few small loans: only 19 of 109 were $150,000 or less
- Almost all variable-rate, so payments move with Prime
- SBA volume down sharply since FY2024
SouthState Bank vs. Busey Bank vs. Lendistry
SouthState Bank's 9.5% median rate compares with Busey Bank's 9.01% FY2026 average; Lendistry is the only one of the three that publishes rates and credit minimums.
| SouthState Bank | Busey Bank | Lendistry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max amount | $4,530,000 largest recent loan; SBA cap $5M | Not published; SBA cap $5M | $5,000,000 SBA 7(a) |
| Pricing | 9.5% median (last 12 months) | 9.01% average (FY2026) | Variable from 7.75% (over $350K) or 8.25% ($350K or less) |
| Min FICO | Lender does not publish | Lender does not publish | 620 |
| Min time in business | Lender does not publish | Lender does not publish | 2 years |
| Min annual revenue | Lender does not publish | Lender does not publish | No dollar minimum |
| Repayment | Monthly; 120 to 300 months | Up to 300 months | 120 to 300 months |
| Early payoff | SBA fee only on 15+ year loans prepaid early | Same SBA rule | Same SBA rule |
Choose SouthState Bank if you are in its eight states and need a larger, collateralized loan. Choose Busey Bank if you want a Preferred Lender that advertises down payments as low as 10%. Choose Lendistry if you want published rates and minimums and a faster small-loan track.
SouthState Bank alternatives on Lender List
The closest SouthState Bank alternatives on Lender List are Busey Bank, Lendistry and iBusiness Funding.
- Busey Bank — Preferred Lender with SBA terms up to 25 years
- Lendistry — SBA lender that posts rates and a 620 credit floor
- iBusiness Funding — national SBA platform with a 640 credit floor
- Browse all SBA 7(a) lenders on Lender List
Frequently asked questions about SouthState Bank
Is South State Bank a Good Bank? For SBA borrowers, yes. SouthState Bank is FDIC-insured, held $68.8 billion in assets at June 2026, and recorded 30 charge-offs among 2,139 SBA 7(a) approvals since FY2020 (1.4%). A class action over its February 2024 cyber incident settled, with court approval in June 2026.
Who Owns South State Bank? SouthState Bank Corporation, a publicly traded financial holding company (NYSE: SSB) based in Winter Haven, Florida, owns 100% of SouthState Bank, N.A. The company has used the SouthState name since its 2020 merger with CenterState and added Independent Bank Group of Texas in January 2025.
Where Is South State Bank Headquarters? SouthState Bank is headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida; its parent company lists 1101 First Street South as its address. It operates 373 offices across Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia, and its SBA borrowers since FY2020 are spread across 40 states.
Is CenterState Bank the Same as SouthState Bank? Yes. SouthState Bank operates on the national charter CenterState used, first opened in 1992 as First National Bank of Polk County. CenterState absorbed South State Bank on June 8, 2020, and took the South State name that day, then restyled it as SouthState Bank, N.A. in November 2021.
How Long Does SouthState Bank Take to Close an SBA Loan? Plan on 60 to 90 days to funding for a standard 7(a), or about 30 days for SBA Express. As a Preferred Lender, SouthState approves in-house and skips the 5 to 10 business-day SBA review, but appraisals and collateral work still take time.
Does SouthState Bank Lend to Startups? Yes. In the year to June 2026, 12 of its 109 SBA loans funded businesses not yet open and 23 more went to firms two years old or younger. Expect to bring a business plan, at least 10% equity, collateral and a personal guarantee.
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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