Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Nature of Operations Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company” or “LOB”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina incorporated under the laws of North Carolina in December 2008. The Company conducts business operations primarily through its commercial bank subsidiary, Live Oak Banking Company (the “Bank”). The Bank was established in May 2008 as a North Carolina-chartered commercial bank. The Bank specializes in providing lending services to small businesses nationwide in targeted industries. The Bank identifies and grows within credit-worthy industries through expertise within those industries. A significant portion of the loans originated by the Bank are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) under the 7(a) program. On July 23, 2015 the Company closed on its initial public offering. In 2010, the Bank formed Live Oak Number One, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, to hold properties foreclosed on by the Bank. During 2011, the Company formed Independence Aviation, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary, for the purpose of purchasing and operating aircraft used for business purposes of the Company. The net assets of Independence Aviation, LLC were transferred to the Company and the Bank effective December 31, 2015 resulting in its dissolution. In addition to the Bank, the Company owns Live Oak Grove, LLC, opened in September 2015 for the purpose of providing Company employees and business visitors an on-site restaurant location, Government Loan Solutions, Inc. (“GLS”), a management and technology consulting firm that specializes in the settlement, accounting, and securitization processes for government guaranteed loans, including loans originated under the SBA 7(a) loan program and USDA-guaranteed loans, and 504 Fund Advisors, LLC (“504FA”), formed to serve as the investment adviser to the 504 Fund, a closed-end mutual fund organized to invest in SBA section 504 loans. The Company acquired control over 504FA, previously carried as an equity method investment, on February 2, 2015 by increasing its ownership from 50.0% to 91.3%. The acquisition of an additional 41.3% of ownership occurred in exchange for contingent consideration estimated to total $170 thousand. Transactions in the third quarter of 2015 and first quarter of 2016 increased the Company’s ownership to 92.9%. With 7.1% of ownership remaining with a third party investor, amounts of earnings and equity in 504FA attributable to the third party investor are now disclosed in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as related to a noncontrolling interest. The Company earns revenue primarily from the sale of SBA-guaranteed loans. This income is comprised of net gains on the sale of loans, revenues on the servicing of sold loans and valuation of loan servicing rights. Net interest income is another contributor to earnings. Offsetting these revenues are the cost of funding sources, provision for loan losses, any costs related to foreclosed assets and other operating costs such as salaries and employee benefits, travel, professional services, advertising and marketing and tax expense. General In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included, and all intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on March 14, 2016 (SEC File No. 001-37497) (the "2015 Annual Report"). A summary description of the significant accounting policies followed by the Company is set forth in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes in the Company's 2015 Annual Report. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Amounts in all tables in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been presented in thousands, except percentage, time period, stock option, share and per share data or where otherwise indicated. Business Segments Management has determined that the Company has one significant operating segment, which is providing a lending platform for small businesses nationwide. In determining the appropriateness of segment definition, the Company considers the materiality of a potential segment, the components of the business about which financial information is available, and components for which management regularly evaluates relative to resource allocation and performance assessment. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period’s consolidated financial statements to place them on a comparable basis with the current year. Net income and shareholders’ equity previously reported were not affected by these reclassifications.

Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations

Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company” or “LOB”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina incorporated under the laws of North Carolina in December 2008. The Company conducts business operations primarily through its commercial bank subsidiary, Live Oak Banking Company (the “Bank”). The Bank was established in May 2008 as a North Carolina-chartered commercial bank. The Bank specializes in providing lending services to small businesses nationwide in targeted industries. The Bank identifies and grows within credit-worthy industries through expertise within those industries. A significant portion of the loans originated by the Bank are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) under the 7(a) program. On July 23, 2015 the Company closed on its initial public offering. In 2010, the Bank formed Live Oak Number One, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, to hold properties foreclosed on by the Bank.

During 2011, the Company formed Independence Aviation, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary, for the purpose of purchasing and operating aircraft used for business purposes of the Company. The net assets of Independence Aviation, LLC were transferred to the Company and the Bank effective December 31, 2015 resulting in its dissolution.

In addition to the Bank, the Company owns Live Oak Grove, LLC, opened in September 2015 for the purpose of providing Company employees and business visitors an on-site restaurant location, Government Loan Solutions, Inc. (“GLS”), a management and technology consulting firm that specializes in the settlement, accounting, and securitization processes for government guaranteed loans, including loans originated under the SBA 7(a) loan program and USDA-guaranteed loans, and 504 Fund Advisors, LLC (“504FA”), formed to serve as the investment adviser to the 504 Fund, a closed-end mutual fund organized to invest in SBA section 504 loans.

The Company acquired control over 504FA, previously carried as an equity method investment, on February 2, 2015 by increasing its ownership from 50.0% to 91.3%. The acquisition of an additional 41.3% of ownership occurred in exchange for contingent consideration estimated to total $170 thousand. Transactions in the third quarter of 2015 and first quarter of 2016 increased the Company’s ownership to 92.9%. With 7.1% of ownership remaining with a third party investor, amounts of earnings and equity in 504FA attributable to the third party investor are now disclosed in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as related to a noncontrolling interest.

The Company earns revenue primarily from the sale of SBA-guaranteed loans. This income is comprised of net gains on the sale of loans, revenues on the servicing of sold loans and valuation of loan servicing rights. Net interest income is another contributor to earnings. Offsetting these revenues are the cost of funding sources, provision for loan losses, any costs related to foreclosed assets and other operating costs such as salaries and employee benefits, travel, professional services, advertising and marketing and tax expense.

General

In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included, and all intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on March 14, 2016 (SEC File No. 001-37497) (the "2015 Annual Report"). A summary description of the significant accounting policies followed by the Company is set forth in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes in the Company's 2015 Annual Report.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Amounts in all tables in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been presented in thousands, except percentage, time period, stock option, share and per share data or where otherwise indicated.

Business Segments

Management has determined that the Company has one significant operating segment, which is providing a lending platform for small businesses nationwide. In determining the appropriateness of segment definition, the Company considers the materiality of a potential segment, the components of the business about which financial information is available, and components for which management regularly evaluates relative to resource allocation and performance assessment.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period’s consolidated financial statements to place them on a comparable basis with the current year. Net income and shareholders’ equity previously reported were not affected by these reclassifications.