Gulf Coast

What Gulf Coast does

Gulf Coast Small Business Lending is a division of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company and operates as a nationwide, direct SBA Preferred Lender headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 2012, the company originates SBA 7(a) loans up to $5 million, SBA 504 loans for real estate and equipment, USDA Business & Industry loans for rural borrowers, SBA lines of credit, conventional term loans, and specialty franchise finance through Gulf Coast Franchise Finance. It does not operate a proprietary technology platform and does not accept online applications; all loans flow through relationship-based origination. The company's revenue model is centered on interest income from SBA and USDA loans (priced at spreads over WSJ Prime with 10-25 year fully-amortizing terms) plus referral fees paid to its broker and intermediary network at up to 2.0% with a tiered plan.

The go-to-market is enterprise field sales executed by 12+ Business Development Officers covering major US markets, supplemented by a formal referral partner network of business brokers, real estate brokers, investment bankers, banks, lawyers, and accountants. Customer segments are deliberately diversified across the small-business long tail: business acquisitions, franchise start-ups and multi-unit expansion, senior housing and adult foster care, RV parks and campgrounds, manufacturing, and rural businesses, with deal sizes typically ranging from $500,000 to $3 million. Underwriting is positioned as "common-sense" and cash-flow-based rather than collateral-focused, and the company markets itself on SBA Preferred Lender processing speed (3-4 weeks faster than non-PLP lenders, with credit decisions within 7-10 days of completed packages and closings within 45-60 days).

The company is privately held with no external venture funding, ownership rests with Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co., and cross-sell into sister-company products (factoring, purchase order financing, equipment finance, asset-based lending) extends the relationship beyond term lending. Approximately 60 team members support the operation, with combined SBA industry experience of over 100 years. There are no disclosed revenue figures, no public ratings or awards, and no patents or trademarks; growth is funded organically from parent-bank capital and loan-portfolio economics.

Name

Gulf Coast

Legal name

Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co.

Website

https://gulfcoastsba.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gulf Coast Small Business Lending is a nationwide SBA Preferred Lender (division of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co., Dallas) originating SBA 7(a), SBA 504, USDA B&I, and franchise loans for small businesses via 12+ Business Development Officers and a paid referral network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

SBA Small Business Lending

NAICS

Commercial Banking (522110), Nondepository Credit Intermediation (5222)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

SME Business Lending (Term Loans, Lines of Credit, Overdrafts) (FSABABAB), SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI), SME Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Lending (FSABABAG)

Keywords

• SBA loan programs
• Small business lending
• USDA B&I loans
• Business acquisition financing
• Franchise lending services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. SBA 7(a) Loan Interest: Interest income from SBA 7(a) term loans used for business acquisitions, real estate purchases, expansions, franchise financing, and working capital. Loans priced at a spread over prime rate with terms of 10-25 years, fully amortizing with no balloon payments.
2. SBA 504 Loans: Loan program for real estate and equipment purchases, sold to CDC partners with SBA guarantee.
3. USDA B&I Loans: Rural development loans for businesses in designated rural areas, with USDA guarantee.
4. SBA Lines of Credit: Revolving credit facilities for working capital needs, complementing term loan products.
5. Referral Fees: Pays referral fees to business brokers, sell-side agents, real estate brokers, investment bankers, and other referral sources for closed loans - up to 2.0% with escalating tiered plan.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gulf Coast Small Business Lending is a division of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co. that provides SBA 7(a), SBA 504, and USDA Business & Industry loans directly to small business owners nationwide. The company specializes in business acquisition financing, commercial real estate, franchise lending, expansions, equipment purchases, and working capital, with loans up to $5 million and terms of 10-25 years. Complementary products include revolving SBA lines of credit and conventional term loans, with sister-company offerings in factoring and trade finance.

Product overview

Gulf Coast Small Business Lending operates as a diversified financial services company offering a portfolio of loan products primarily centered on SBA 7(a) loans as its flagship offering. The company provides SBA 7(a) term loans (up to $5 million), SBA 504 loans for real estate and equipment, and USDA B&I loans for rural businesses. Complementary products include revolving lines of credit and conventional term loans. Through sister companies, the organization also offers factoring, purchase order finance, and trade finance services. The company's specialty lending areas include franchise financing, business acquisitions, senior housing, RV parks/campgrounds, and agricultural operations. The products work together to provide full-spectrum capital access from acquisition financing through working capital and growth capital needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gulf Coast SBA: Brand name used for the company's SBA lending division website and marketing materials (gulfcoastsba.com).
• Gulf Coast SBA Preferred Lender

Products and services

• SBA 7(a) Loans The flagship SBA loan program providing term loans up to $5 million for business acquisition, real estate, expansion, franchise financing, equipment, and working capital. Loans are fully amortizing over 10-25 years with advance rates of 80-90% LTV and as little as 10% down payment. Targeted at small business owner-operators across the U.S.
• SBA 504 Loans SBA 504 loans for real estate and equipment purchases, offered in conjunction with the SBA's Certified Development Company (CDC) program. Provides long-term fixed-rate financing for owner-occupied commercial real estate and major equipment purchases. Targeted at small businesses acquiring facilities or capital equipment.
• USDA Business & Industry (B&I) Loans USDA-backed loans for businesses located in USDA-designated rural areas, supporting land acquisition, building development, equipment installation, working capital, and business acquisitions with job creation or retention requirements. Maximum term of 40 years on real estate; amounts can exceed $5 million with additional USDA approval. Eligible borrowers include for-profits, non-profits, and tribal entities.
• SBA Lines of Credit Revolving lines of credit providing flexible financing for day-to-day working capital needs, complementary to the company's term loan products. Targeted at small businesses needing ongoing liquidity alongside acquisition or expansion financing.
• Conventional Term Loans Conventional term debt products offered alongside SBA and USDA loans for borrowers who may not qualify for government-guaranteed programs. Targeted at small businesses needing term capital where SBA or USDA eligibility is unavailable.
• Franchise Lending Specialized SBA and conventional loans for franchise start-ups and acquisitions, offered through a dedicated franchise finance division at Gulf Coast Franchise Finance. Targeted at franchisees and multi-unit franchise operators seeking capital for new locations or acquisitions.
• Factoring Services Accounts receivable factoring services provided through a sister company under Gulf Coast Bank & Trust, allowing businesses to sell unpaid invoices at a discount for immediate cash flow. Targeted at small businesses needing working capital liquidity beyond SBA term loans.
• Purchase Order / Trade Finance Trade finance services for distributors importing goods, bridging payment needs until goods convert to invoices, provided through sister company Trade Cap. Targeted at small business distributors needing working capital to fulfill purchase orders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3-4 weeks faster loan processing than non-PLP lenders
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Referral Partners NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFormal referral network including business brokers, sell-side agents, real estate brokers, investment bankers, banks, lawyers, and accountants. Company pays referral fees up to 2.0% with escalating tiered plan and no annual reset when referred loans close.
• USDA (Rural Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating lender in USDA Business & Industry (B&I) loan program. Company originates USDA B&I loans for rural businesses under the public/private partnership where USDA provides loan guarantees to encourage investment in underserved rural communities.
• SBA (Small Business Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBA Preferred Lender (PLP) with delegated authority to underwrite, process, and close SBA 7(a) and 504 loans on behalf of the SBA. Company also participates in SBA International Trade Loans and offers special programs for veterans.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Byline Bank: Byline Bank is a Chicago-based commercial bank with one of the largest SBA lending franchises in the US, operating a similar SBA Preferred Lender model serving small business borrowers nationwide.
• Stearns Bank: Stearns Bank is a Minnesota-based bank that operates a large SBA Preferred Lender program nationwide, directly competing with Gulf Coast in SBA 7(a) and USDA B&I lending to small businesses.
• Celtic Bank: Celtic Bank is a leading nationwide SBA 7(a) Preferred Lender based in Salt Lake City, with deep SBA lending volumes and a similar model of nationwide origination through BDOs and referral partners.
• Live Oak Bank: Live Oak Bank is the largest SBA lender in the US by volume and a direct competitor offering SBA 7(a) loans nationwide. It shares Gulf Coast's focus on small business lending with strong digital infrastructure and nationwide origination.
• NewtekOne (Newtek Business Services): NewtekOne is a publicly-traded business services and SBA lender providing SBA 7(a) loans alongside payment processing, lending, and insurance products. Closely comparable in product mix and SMB focus.

Broad incumbents

• Wells Fargo SBA Lending: Wells Fargo operates one of the largest SBA lending programs among major US banks, providing SBA 7(a) and 504 loans as part of a broader commercial banking franchise. A large incumbent competitor.
• Citizens Bank SBA Lending: Citizens Bank operates an SBA Preferred Lender program as part of its commercial and small business banking franchise across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. A regional commercial bank with overlapping SBA capabilities.
• Huntington National Bank SBA: Huntington National Bank offers SBA lending as part of its commercial banking portfolio serving the Midwest, with growing nationwide SBA capabilities. Represents a large regional bank competitor with broader product set.

Emerging players

• SmartBiz Loans: SmartBiz is a fintech-driven SBA loan marketplace and technology-enabled lender that streamlines SBA loan origination. Represents the digital-first competitive threat to Gulf Coast's high-touch BDO model.
• Lendio: Lendio operates an SBA and small business loan marketplace connecting borrowers to multiple lenders, including SBA lenders. Adjacent to Gulf Coast's direct lending model but represents the alternative fintech distribution channel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/nimi-natan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gulf Coast