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10 Best SBA 504 Lenders in Honolulu

This ranking identifies the top 10 SBA 504 lenders serving Honolulu, evaluated for their 504 specialization, local Hawaii market presence, and relevance to owner-user commercial real estate borrowers. It is designed for small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking long-term, fixed-rate financing for property acquisition or major fixed assets. Use it to identify the right lending partner for your specific project structure and banking needs.

LoanWise Editorial Team

Isometric view of a Honolulu commercial street with small business owners meeting outside a lending office near downtown buildings and a distant volcanic ridge.

Honolulu occupies a unique position in the U.S. small business lending landscape. As the economic and commercial hub of Hawaii, it hosts a mix of locally rooted community institutions, nationally recognized SBA specialists, and full-service banks — all operating within one of the most geographically distinct real estate markets in the country. For owner-users looking to acquire or improve commercial property, the SBA 504 program is often the most powerful financing tool available in this market.

The SBA 504 loan program is structured to help small businesses purchase owner-occupied commercial real estate, heavy equipment, and other long-term fixed assets with below-market, fixed interest rates and down payments as low as 10%. The program works through a three-party structure: a conventional first mortgage from a bank or credit union, a second mortgage funded through a Certified Development Company (CDC), and the borrower's equity contribution. This structure allows businesses to preserve working capital while securing long-term real estate at competitive terms — a meaningful advantage in a high-cost market like Honolulu.

For Hawaii small business owners, choosing the right SBA 504 partner matters. Some lenders bring deep CDC specialization and a singular focus on 504 execution. Others offer the 504 program as one component of a broader commercial banking relationship. The right fit depends on factors including:

  • 504 program depth: Whether the lender or CDC focuses exclusively on SBA 504 or offers it alongside other products
  • Local Hawaii knowledge: Familiarity with Honolulu's commercial real estate dynamics, property types, and regulatory environment
  • Financing structure: Ability to navigate the bank-plus-CDC stack effectively and coordinate closing
  • Business banking needs: Whether the borrower wants a standalone 504 transaction or an integrated bank relationship
  • Property type experience: Track record with office, industrial, warehouse, retail, or special-use assets in Hawaii

This ranking evaluates lenders across these dimensions using available SBA production data, program positioning, local presence, and institutional track record. The result is a practical guide for Honolulu business owners, real estate investors, and loan officers comparing SBA 504 options in the Hawaii market.

#1

HEDCO Local Development Corporation

Honolulu CDC with deep SBA 504 specialization

Founded

1981

Headquarters

Honolulu, HI

FY2026 YTD 504 Volume

$2.8M

FY2026 YTD 504 Loans

6

FY2026 Avg Loan Size

$470K

FY2022-FY2026 504 Volume

$54.0M

HEDCO is the most SBA 504-focused option in Honolulu, as an SBA-certified Community Development Company dedicated to long-term owner-occupied commercial real estate financing. Its long operating history and Hawaii-rooted execution make it highly relevant for borrowers pairing a bank first mortgage with 504 financing.
#2

TMC Financing

National SBA 504 specialist now serving Hawaii

Honolulu Contact ZIP

96813

Honolulu Office Address Number

500 Ala Moana Boulevard

Suite

7400 - #3409

Local Contact Phone

808.223.8098

Maximum SBA 504 Financing

Up to 90%

State Expansion

Hawaii approved

TMC Financing is a nationally recognized SBA 504 specialist with an on-the-ground Honolulu contact and formal Hawaii expansion. It is attractive for borrowers who want deep 504 execution experience and a lender partner highly focused on owner-user commercial real estate financing.
#3

Central Pacific Bank

Leading Hawaii bank for SBA-backed business real estate

Top SBA Hawaii Honors Year

2025

2025 504 Approvals Referenced

3

Business Days to Contact

2

SBA Programs Highlighted

2

Regions Referenced

2

Headquarters State

HI

Central Pacific Bank combines strong SBA 504 visibility with broader business banking and commercial lending capabilities in Honolulu. It stands out for borrowers who want an established bank relationship alongside SBA 504 and 7(a) financing options.
4
#4

First Hawaiian Bank

Large Honolulu bank with recognized SBA 504 activity

Award Announcement Date

03/21/2023

Honolulu Address Number

999 Bishop Street

ZIP Code

96813

SBA Award Count Referenced

Multiple

State Presence

Hawaii

Country

US

First Hawaiian Bank is a major Hawaii lender with repeated SBA lending recognition and meaningful SBA 504 relevance in the Honolulu market. It is well suited to established borrowers seeking a trusted bank franchise for owner-occupied commercial property financing.
5
#5

Hawaii National Bank

Local business bank with dedicated SBA 504 program

SBA Programs Highlighted

2

SBA PLP Status

7(a) PLP

Maturity Range

10-25 years

Owner-Occupied Requirement

51%+

Location State

HI

Country

US

Hawaii National Bank offers a clearly identified SBA 504 program for owner-occupied property, equipment, and other fixed assets. Its local business-lending orientation makes it a practical choice for Honolulu borrowers seeking direct access to 504-capable financing through a Hawaii bank.
6
#6

Hawaii Lending Specialists, LLC

Honolulu-based advisor for SBA 504 loan structuring

SBA Programs Highlighted

2

Financing Use Cases Listed

4+

State Coverage

Hawaii

Owner-User Focus

Yes

Property Types Mentioned

Warehouses, industrial, office, special-use

Country

US

Hawaii Lending Specialists emphasizes SBA 504 commercial real estate financing for owner-users across Hawaii, including warehouses, industrial, office, and special-use properties. It appeals to borrowers who value hands-on structuring guidance and flexible SBA-backed solutions.
7
#7

Finance Factors

Hawaii lender promoting SBA 504 owner-user financing

Oahu Phone

522-2000

Toll-Free Phone

1-800-648-7136

Down Payment Benefit

Low

Rate Type

Fixed

Program Type

SBA 504

Country

US

Finance Factors markets SBA 504 financing with low down payment and fixed-rate benefits for Hawaii small businesses. It is relevant for Honolulu owner-users seeking a local lender familiar with commercial property financing under the SBA 504 structure.
8
#8

Bank of Hawaii

Established Hawaii bank with active SBA lending presence

2025 Hawaii 504 Loans Referenced

3

Headquarters State

HI

Country

US

Market

Hawaii

Program Relevance

SBA lending

Regional Presence

Hawaii and Guam

Bank of Hawaii is a major Hawaii commercial bank with reported SBA 504 activity in the Hawaii district and a strong business banking footprint. It is best for borrowers who want a well-known institution capable of handling broader commercial banking needs alongside SBA-backed financing.
9
#9

American Savings Bank

Relationship-driven Hawaii bank for business real estate lending

Headquarters State

HI

Country

US

Market

Hawaii

Lender Type

Bank

Business Lending Presence

Yes

Honolulu Relevance

Yes

American Savings Bank is a long-standing Hawaii institution with business lending relevance in Honolulu and potential fit for owner-occupied commercial real estate borrowers. While not as visibly 504-specialized as top-ranked peers, it remains a credible local banking option for SBA-oriented business finance conversations.
10
#10

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union

Local credit union with business lending capabilities

Headquarters State

HI

Country

US

Institution Type

Credit Union

Business Lending Presence

Yes

Market Relevance

Honolulu

Membership Basis

Yes

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union offers business lending capabilities and local market relevance for Honolulu borrowers. It ranks lower for SBA 504 specifically because the research pack shows less direct 504 specialization, but it may still be a useful relationship lender for select owner-user business financing needs.

●Conclusion

Selecting the right SBA 504 lender in Honolulu is not simply a matter of finding the lowest rate or the fastest close — it requires matching your financing structure, property type, and business profile to the institution best equipped to execute your transaction. The lenders ranked here span a meaningful range: from dedicated CDCs with decades of 504 specialization and measurable Hawaii production volume, to full-service banks that bring broad commercial banking depth alongside SBA program access.

When evaluating your options, consider the following key factors:

  • Program specialization: A lender or CDC focused exclusively on SBA 504 will often provide more structured guidance through the bank-plus-CDC financing stack than a generalist institution.
  • Local market knowledge: Hawaii's commercial real estate market — including its property values, permitting environment, and limited inventory — benefits from lenders with genuine on-the-ground Honolulu experience.
  • Loan sizing and fit: SBA 504 loan sizes can vary significantly by project. Review each lender's typical transaction profile and ensure your deal size aligns with their operational sweet spot.
  • Rate and term structure: SBA 504 debenture rates are set through the bond market and are generally fixed for 10 or 25 years, but first-mortgage terms from the participating bank vary. Compare the full blended cost of financing, not just the CDC portion.
  • Closing coordination: The 504 structure involves multiple parties and regulatory steps. Lenders with strong execution infrastructure and experienced processors can meaningfully reduce timeline friction.
  • Banking relationship value: If you anticipate needing deposit accounts, lines of credit, or treasury services alongside your 504 loan, a full-service bank may offer meaningful relationship advantages over a standalone CDC.

No single lender will be the right fit for every borrower in Honolulu. The most effective approach is to engage two or three institutions from this list — ideally including at least one CDC specialist and one bank-based 504 provider — and compare their proposed structures side by side. Ask each lender about their recent Hawaii 504 experience, typical closing timelines, and first-mortgage partner relationships. The more clearly you can articulate your property type, intended use, and business financials, the faster a qualified lender can structure a competitive proposal for your project.

Keywords:Small Business Loans