Lending data
Who actually lends to farms and agricultural businesses in Idaho?
44 SBA 7(a) loans went to farms and agricultural businesses in Idaho recently, at a median of $55,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
44 SBA 7(a) loans went to farms and agricultural businesses in Idaho in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $55,000 over 10 years. The most active lender was Columbia Bank, with 14 loans.
What lending to farms and agricultural businesses in Idaho actually looks like
Every figure on this page is computed from SBA 7(a) loan-level FOIA data released 2026-06-30. It reflects loans that were actually approved, not rate cards or advertised ranges.
| Measure | Agriculture and farming, Idaho | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 44 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $55,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $50,000 - $175,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 9.88% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 31.8% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 4.3% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to farms and agricultural businesses in Idaho. This is the list worth working from, because a lender that has funded dozens of businesses like yours in your state has seen your file before.
| Lender | Loans | Median loan | Startup share | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Bank | 14 | $50,000 | 14% | 12.50% |
| Banner Bank | 6 | $50,000 | 33% | 9.25% |
| The Bank of Commerce | 6 | $150,000 | 83% | 9.25% |
| D. L. Evans Bank | 3 | $90,000 | 33% | 10.00% |
| U.S. Bank | 2 | $15,500 | 100% | 8.87% |
| RiverBank | 2 | $2,500,000 | 0% | 9.75% |
| Cache Valley Bank | 2 | $185,000 | 0% | 8.03% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loans here run smaller than average. The median of $55,000 is 63% below the $150,000 national median. Smaller loans price higher under the SBA spread caps, so budget for a rate above the headline range.
- Startup share is about average, at 32% against 34% nationally.
- One lender dominates. Columbia Bank alone made 32% of these loans, and the top three made 59%. That concentration usually means a lender with a dedicated program for this sector — worth starting there, but get a second quote so you know the terms are competitive.
- This market has performed well. Its FY2010-2019 charge-off rate of 4.3% is below the 7.1% overall figure, which is part of why lenders compete for it.
Which of them lend to new businesses
Of those loans, 31.8% went to businesses the SBA classes as startups — new, under two years old, or opening with the proceeds. These are the lenders in this market that actually wrote them.
| Lender | Loans | Median loan | Startup share | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bank of Commerce | 5 | $150,000 | 83% | 9.25% |
| Banner Bank | 2 | $50,000 | 33% | 9.25% |
| U.S. Bank | 2 | $15,500 | 100% | 8.87% |
| Columbia Bank | 2 | $50,000 | 14% | 12.50% |
How to use this
- Shortlist three lenders from the table whose median loan is close to what you need.
- Ask each whether they are a Preferred Lender and how many 7(a) loans they closed last year. See choosing an SBA lender.
- Check your coverage first with the affordability calculator so you ask for a number the cash flow supports.
- Assemble the package before you call. The document checklist is the single biggest thing you control.
Compare other markets
- Other sectors in Idaho: construction, retail, healthcare, restaurants and hotels, personal services, professional services
- Agriculture in comparable states: Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Maine, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina