SmartBiz Bank, N.A. (smartbizbank.com) has a 4.4 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 200 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Money & Insurance and its reputation is good. 86% of reviews are 4 stars or higher and 12% are 1 star; The business has replied to 37% of negative reviews; 31 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-08-10.
This is by far the very worst experience I've ever had with a financial institution. Applied for an SBA (7a) loan and was strung along for 3 months and then was held up at the finish line by questions and things that should have been asked very early on in the process. These people could care less about anything in the process and should be happily working at Wal-Mart when the bank dissolves itself.
Working with the team was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The process was seamless, efficient, and far quicker than I expected. Communication was clear every step of the way, and I always knew where we stood. As a business owner, I appreciated working with a team that understood how important timely access to capital is for growth. I would absolutely recommend them to other entrepreneurs looking for a knowledgeable, responsive lending partner. As a leader of a Fractional CFO firm, I also know that securing financing is only one piece of the puzzle, having the right financial strategy to deploy that capital effectively is what ultimately drives long-term growth.
Loan process took entirely too long. Underwriting was too slow responding and very rarely received a response on Friday or Monday I assumed these were their off days. Seemed unknowledgeable and biase towards us with their decisions. Very nit- picky and underwriting had poor communication and did things without informing us. You really need to review you underwriting department and do some retraining. The SBA manager (Desiree Escalante) was awesome to work with and very knowledgeable.
The loan service was excellent from start to finish. The entire process was fast, clear, and very professional. Dessire Escalante was magnificent: she was always attentive, answered all my questions patiently, and guided me through every step with kindness and expertise. I highly recommend her services to anyone who needs assistance with a loan.
I had an excellent experience with SmartBiz. From the moment I submitted my application to the day I received funding, the entire process was smooth and efficient.
My contact person was very responsive and kept me informed throughout the entire process.
I was especially impressed that I received my funds in less than a month!
I highly recommend SmartBiz to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient lending partner.
Even though the 2025 government shut down in the middle of the process with the SBA, these folks worked tireless to get my loan as packaged as it could be so it could be submitted back to the SBA as soon as the government reopened. They kept me informed every step of the way. Closing and funding were done in hardly no time once the SBA blessed it.
Amount of time, intrusion into non-relevant information. Then broker cost.
Reply from SmartBiz Bank, N.A.2025-10-23
Hi Douglas,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We appreciate your patience throughout the loan process.
We understand that the timeline felt lengthy, and apologize for any frustration this caused. To provide some context, your loan involved a number of unique factors that required additional care and verification, which likely contributed to the extended timeline.
Additionally, we understand concerns about cost, especially for a growing business. Our team clearly outlined all fees up front and ensured that the broker did not charge any additional or hidden fees beyond those you discussed and agreed upon.
Please know that our intent is never to ask for non-relevant information. The additional requests were made to help verify your business information. Our goal is always to ensure compliance, accuracy, and a smooth experience that protects your business and helps secure the right financing.
We appreciate the trust you placed in SmartBiz, and we sincerely wish you continued success.
Warm Regards,
The SmartBiz Team
Professional and Knowledgeable Team. Clear guidance through the process and effective timeline.
Thank you Smartbiz for the experience and exceptional customer service
Smartbiz was constantly keeping me updated about where we were in the process and the documents that they needed. I didn’t have to follow up with them because they were following up with me. That is the way businesses should run.