Industry Data · Updated Q1 2026
Loan Approval Index by Industry — 2026
Industry-specific approval data lets borrowers self-select the right product before applying. Sectors with consistent DSCR strength (medical, professional services) see higher SBA approval rates; volatile sectors (hospitality, retail) more commonly close via term or bridge.
The data
Approval rates by NAICS sector across SBA, term, and bridge product lines.
| Industry | SBA approval | Best product |
|---|---|---|
| Medical & Dental Practices | 78% | SBA 7(a) |
| Professional Services (Legal, Accounting) | 74% | SBA 7(a) |
| Manufacturing | 71% | SBA 504 / Equipment |
| Construction | 62% | Term + Equipment |
| Auto Repair & Services | 68% | SBA 7(a) |
| HVAC & Trades | 70% | SBA 7(a) + Working Capital |
| Restaurants & Food Service | 54% | Term Loan |
| Retail (Brick & Mortar) | 51% | Term + Working Capital |
| E-Commerce / Online Retail | 58% | Working Capital |
| Hospitality & Lodging | 47% | Bridge + SBA 504 |
| Trucking & Logistics | 64% | Equipment + SBA |
| Daycare & Child Services | 72% | SBA 7(a) |
Methodology
Approval rates from Inflection Financing in-house underwriting over trailing 18 months, grouped by 2-digit NAICS.
Key takeaways
- →Cash-flow-stable sectors (medical, professional, daycare) approve at 70%+ on SBA 7(a).
- →Volatile sectors (hospitality, restaurants) approve more reliably on term or bridge products underwritten to asset coverage rather than EBITDA.
- →Trucking and HVAC consistently outperform their public perception due to predictable equipment collateral.
Citation: Inflection Financing Commercial Lending Data, "Loan Approval Index by Industry — 2026" (Q1 2026). Available at inflection-financing.com/data/loan-approval-by-industry-2026.
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