# Buying a Business in Rhode Island: SBA Lending

Change-of-ownership SBA 7(a) approvals in Rhode Island, FY2020 through FY2025. Every figure is read from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan-level dataset (as of June 30, 2026).

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Also on this site: https://searchspheresource.com/data/acquisition-lending
Source: https://searchspheresource.com/data/acquisition-lending/rhode-island
Last checked: 2026-10-02

## The Numbers

- Loans since FY2020: 106, $93,939,100 approved in total
- FY2025 loans: 29, $25,736,300 approved
- Median loan: $500,000
- Share of national acquisition lending: 0.3%

## The Most Active Lenders in Rhode Island

Ranked by change-of-ownership loans written in the covered years. A bank high here is a bank that has already said yes to this kind of deal in this state.

1. Beacon Bank and Trust: 15 loans
2. Eastern Bank: 11 loans
3. Live Oak Banking Company: 10 loans
4. Navigant CU: 9 loans
5. Citizens Bank, National Association: 6 loans

## What Gets Financed in Rhode Island

- Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers: 11 loans
- Full-Service Restaurants: 8 loans
- Child Care Services: 4 loans
- Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers: 4 loans
- Offices of Certified Public Accountants: 3 loans

## Method and Source

- SBA 7(a) FOIA loan-level dataset (as of June 30, 2026): https://data.sba.gov/dataset/7a-504-foia
- Coverage: FY2020 through FY2025
- Segment: SBA 7(a) approvals with BusinessAge "Change of Ownership"

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