Lending data
Who actually lends to farms and agricultural businesses in Tennessee?
22 SBA 7(a) loans went to farms and agricultural businesses in Tennessee recently, at a median of $806,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
22 SBA 7(a) loans went to farms and agricultural businesses in Tennessee in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $806,000 over 174 months. The most active lender was Live Oak Banking Company, with 8 loans.
What lending to farms and agricultural businesses in Tennessee 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, Tennessee | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 22 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $806,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $150,000 - $1,928,750 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 174 months | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 8.73% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 36.4% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 1.9% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to farms and agricultural businesses in Tennessee. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak Banking Company | 8 | $2,261,000 | 38% | 8.75% |
| First Financial Bank | 6 | $1,645,000 | 50% | 8.07% |
| Wells Fargo Bank | 2 | $25,000 | 100% | 13.62% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loans here run larger than average. The median of $806,000 is 437% above the $150,000 national median. Expect lenders in this market to be geared toward bigger deals, and expect a small request to get less attention.
- Startup share is about average, at 36% against 34% nationally.
- One lender dominates. Live Oak Banking Company alone made 36% of these loans, and the top three made 73%. 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.
- Rates run lower here. The median initial rate of 8.73% is 1.52 points below the 10.25% national median, which usually tracks loan size and perceived sector risk rather than geography.
- This market has performed well. Its FY2010-2019 charge-off rate of 1.9% 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, 36.4% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Financial Bank | 3 | $1,645,000 | 50% | 8.07% |
| Live Oak Banking Company | 3 | $2,261,000 | 38% | 8.75% |
| Wells Fargo Bank | 2 | $25,000 | 100% | 13.62% |
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 Tennessee: restaurants and hotels, construction, personal services, retail, professional services, admin services
- Agriculture in comparable states: New Hampshire, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Arizona, Virginia