Huntington Bank was named the nation’s largest lender in the number of 7(a) loans for the Small Business Administration (SBA) fiscal year that ended September 30, 2014. Huntington made 4,183 SBA loans in its six-state footprint, an increase of 37% over last year when the bank was the third largest lender in the country.

“Small businesses create more than 60% of all new jobs, making our communities healthier and more vibrant,” said Huntington Business Banking director Deborah Stein. “Huntington has long been committed to supporting business growth as a key way to strengthen our local economies in our markets. Huntington has moved from the 11th largest SBA lender in 2008 to the largest today.”

The number of businesses Huntington’s SBA lending has helped in each state during fiscal year 2014 includes:

• Ohio: 2,368 loans totaling $286 million
• Michigan: 1,098 loans totaling $163 million
• Indiana: 316 loans totaling $46 million
• Western Pennsylvania: 234 loans totaling $35 million
• West Virginia: 78 loans totaling $12 million
• Kentucky: 80 loans totaling $7 million