Lending data
Who actually lends to farms and agricultural businesses in Nebraska?
23 SBA 7(a) loans went to farms and agricultural businesses in Nebraska recently, at a median of $130,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
23 SBA 7(a) loans went to farms and agricultural businesses in Nebraska in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $130,000 over 106 months. The most active lender was Western Nebraska Bank, with 4 loans.
What lending to farms and agricultural businesses in Nebraska 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, Nebraska | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 23 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $130,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $40,000 - $366,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 106 months | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 9.30% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 30.4% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 7.4% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to farms and agricultural businesses in Nebraska. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Nebraska Bank | 4 | $40,000 | 25% | 10.38% |
| The Bank | 4 | $54,250 | 100% | 9.00% |
| First State Bank Nebraska | 3 | $500,000 | 67% | 8.75% |
| Hershey Bank | 2 | $5,000,000 | 0% | 7.62% |
| First Central Bank McCook | 2 | $250,650 | 0% | 8.62% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loans here run smaller than average. The median of $130,000 is 13% 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 30% against 34% nationally.
- No single lender dominates, but the top three made 48% of these loans, so the shortlist below covers most of the active market.
- Rates run lower here. The median initial rate of 9.30% is 0.95 points below the 10.25% national median, which usually tracks loan size and perceived sector risk rather than geography.
Which of them lend to new businesses
Of those loans, 30.4% 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 | 4 | $54,250 | 100% | 9.00% |
| First State Bank Nebraska | 2 | $500,000 | 67% | 8.75% |
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 Nebraska: construction, personal services, restaurants and hotels, healthcare, retail, admin services
- Agriculture in comparable states: Massachusetts, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Colorado, Illinois, Arizona