Our Story

The authority in SBA & USDA lending — rebuilt for 2026

SBALoansToday was founded in 2011 by a former banker and entrepreneur who had lived the SBA and USDA loan process from both sides of the desk. We knew the system was broken for borrowers — and we built something to fix it.

2011

Built by someone who knew the system was broken

In 2011, a former banker and entrepreneur in Denver, Colorado identified a persistent problem: small business owners were being left behind by the SBA and USDA loan process — not because they didn't qualify, but because nobody was helping them understand it.

Banks had no incentive to educate borrowers. The SBA's own resources were dense and bureaucratic. Business owners would spend months gathering the wrong documents, approaching the wrong lenders, and making avoidable mistakes that cost them their shot at funding.

SBALoansToday was the answer. A single platform where any business owner could learn exactly which SBA or USDA program fit their situation, understand what lenders were actually looking for, and get connected to the right financing partner — without wading through government jargon or paying broker fees.

Within its first year, SBALoansToday.com achieved something most financial sites never do: the #1 non-government Google ranking for "SBA loans" — appearing directly below sba.gov and above Wells Fargo, then the nation's leading SBA lender. That ranking wasn't bought with advertising. It was earned through depth of content, genuine expertise, and a commitment to being the most useful SBA and USDA resource on the internet.

The platform's original title tag said it all: "SBA Loans Today | Learn How to Get Your SBA, USDA B&I and..." — USDA lending was part of the mission from day one, recognizing that rural and agricultural business owners deserved the same clear guidance as their urban counterparts.

Today, SBALoansToday returns — rebuilt, refined, and more focused than ever. The mission hasn't changed. The tools available to execute it have transformed dramatically. And the need has never been greater.

Timeline
2011
Founded in Denver, Colorado
Launched by a former banker and entrepreneur to simplify SBA and USDA financing for small business owners nationwide.
2012
#1 non-government Google ranking achieved
Ranked as the top non-government result for "SBA loans" — directly below sba.gov and above Wells Fargo, then the nation's #1 SBA lender. Verified. Earned through content depth, not paid placement.
2012
USDA B&I program coverage added
Expanded beyond SBA to cover USDA Business & Industry loans for rural borrowers — broadening the platform's reach and keyword footprint significantly.
2026
SBALoansToday rebuilt & relaunched
Returning with a sharper focus: education-first lead generation, SMS-verified borrower matching, full SBA and USDA program coverage, and a nationwide lender network — powered by 15 years of hard-won expertise.
What We Believe
Three principles that
haven't changed since 2011

The tools have evolved. The market has shifted. These values are identical to the ones we launched with.

📖
Education first

A borrower who understands the process is a better borrower. We lead with information, not sales pressure. Our guides, tools, and quiz exist to make you smarter — not to push you toward a decision you're not ready to make.

🎯
Right match, not any match

A restaurant loan and a rural USDA loan need completely different lenders. We match borrowers to specialists — not just whoever bids highest. Your situation is unique. Your lender should understand it.

🤝
Free for borrowers, always

Business owners never pay us a cent. Our service is funded by lenders who pay to access qualified, pre-screened applicants. That alignment keeps our incentives honest: we only succeed when borrowers get funded.

MC
Matthew Clanton
Founder & President, SBALoansToday

Matthew Clanton is a licensed insurance and financial services professional with decades of experience in banking, lending, and small business development. As the original founder of SBALoansToday.com in 2011, Matthew built one of the first dedicated SBA and USDA education and lender-matching platforms in the country — achieving the #1 non-government Google ranking for "SBA loans" in the platform's first year.

Today Matthew returns to the mission that defined his early career: making the SBA and USDA loan process transparent, accessible, and fair for every small business owner in America — regardless of their size, credit history, or familiarity with the banking system.

Based in Grand Junction, Colorado, Matthew currently serves as Head of Sales for Farmers Insurance District 50, covering the Rocky Mountains and Western Slope region.

"The SBA and USDA loan process hasn't gotten simpler since 2011. If anything, the rule changes in 2025 made it harder to navigate. That's exactly why we're back."
The Market Today
The opportunity has never been larger — or more urgent

SBA lending hit near-record highs in 2025. USDA rural loan demand is surging. Rule changes created confusion. The need for clear, honest guidance has never been greater.

$35B+
SBA 7(a) loans approved in 2025
$25M
Max USDA B&I loan guarantee
7
Major SBA rule changes in 2025 alone
15yr
Of SBA & USDA expertise behind this platform

Ready to find your loan?

Take our 60-second eligibility quiz — built on 15 years of SBA and USDA expertise — and see exactly which programs you qualify for.

Check My Eligibility — Free