TheLOSDirectory

SPARK

SBA Loan Origination Platform

SPARK is an SBA-specific loan origination platform covering intake through disbursement with direct E-Tran submission, used by banks, lender service providers, and mission-driven lenders.

SBA lenders and LSPs that want the program mechanics automated end to end, from eligibility and packaging through E-Tran submission, closing, and disbursement

BanksCredit UnionsPrivate Lenders
SBA Small Business Commercial Cloud

Quick Facts

Company
Arcadea Group
Founded
HQ
Minneapolis, MN
Best Fit
Small to Midsize
Pricing
SaaS subscription
Market
Named clients include The Bancorp, Bank of Idaho, American Bank & Trust, and NDC's Grow America Fund
Visit Arcadea Group →

Overview

SPARK is loan origination software built specifically around the SBA process rather than adapted to it. It covers intake, underwriting, packaging, closing, and disbursement, and integrates directly with the SBA's E-Tran API so lenders submit deals and receive SBA loan numbers and authorization dates without leaving the system, including delegated processing for PLP lenders. That direct program integration is the difference from a general commercial LOS with an SBA module bolted on: the eligibility logic, forms, and submission path are the product. SPARK was incubated inside Community Reinvestment Fund, USA, the Minneapolis CDFI, which shows in its fit for mission-driven lenders and lender service providers as well as banks, and it was acquired in June 2023 by Arcadea Group, a Toronto long-hold software investor. The scope is deliberately narrow: this is an SBA system, so commercial, consumer, and mortgage lending run elsewhere.

Key Features

  • ▸ Direct SBA E-Tran API integration for submission and loan-number assignment
  • ▸ Delegated (PLP) processing support
  • ▸ SBA eligibility logic and automated form generation
  • ▸ Intake, underwriting, packaging, closing, and disbursement in one workflow
  • ▸ Document management with automatic file naming and digital signature
  • ▸ Built for lender service providers as well as banks

Pricing

What we know about SPARK pricing:

SPARK does not publish pricing. Expect subscription quotes scaled to SBA volume and whether you operate as a bank or a lender service provider.

Like most enterprise LOS vendors, Arcadea Group doesn't publish standard pricing. Quotes are customized based on institution size, loan volume, and module selection. We recommend requesting all-in three-year TCO quotes that include implementation, training, and ongoing fees.

Key Integrations

Publicly documented integrations or connectivity options for SPARK include the following:

SBA E-Tran APIDocument management and e-signature providersCredit bureaus

Ideal Customer Profile

Asset Size
Community and regional banks, credit unions, LSPs, and mission-driven lenders with real SBA volume
Loan Volume
Recurring SBA 7(a) and Express origination rather than occasional guaranteed deals
Staff Size
Dedicated SBA lending and closing teams, or an LSP operating on behalf of lenders
Best When
SBA program mechanics, not general credit analysis, are what slow your file down

Pros & Cons

Strengths

  • ✓ Purpose-built for the SBA program rather than an SBA module inside a general LOS
  • ✓ Direct E-Tran submission removes the most error-prone manual step in 7(a) origination
  • ✓ Fits lender service providers and mission-driven lenders, not only banks

Limitations

  • ✗ SBA only: commercial, consumer, and mortgage lending need a separate system
  • ✗ No published pricing
  • ✗ The 30% processing-time reduction is the vendor's figure, not an independent measurement

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SPARK submit directly to SBA E-Tran?
Yes. SPARK integrates with the E-Tran API so lenders and LSPs submit deals directly, with SBA loan numbers and authorization dates assigned automatically for PLP lenders. That direct path is the core of the product.
Is SPARK a full commercial LOS?
No. It is built around the SBA process specifically. Banks that also originate conventional commercial, consumer, or mortgage loans run SPARK alongside a broader origination system rather than replacing it.

Last updated: August 9, 2026

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