Lending data
Who actually lends to schools and training businesses in Idaho?
41 SBA 7(a) loans went to schools and training businesses in Idaho recently, at a median of $100,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
41 SBA 7(a) loans went to schools and training businesses in Idaho in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $100,000 over 10 years. The most active lender was Zions Bank, with 9 loans.
What lending to schools and training 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 | Educational services, Idaho | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 41 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $38,750 - $251,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 10.50% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 36.6% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 6.2% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to schools and training 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zions Bank | 9 | $50,000 | 44% | 10.00% |
| Idaho Central CU | 7 | $252,000 | 43% | 10.50% |
| U.S. Bank | 5 | $188,600 | 40% | 8.60% |
| Columbia Bank | 4 | $40,000 | 0% | 12.62% |
| Readycap Lending, LLC | 3 | $50,000 | 0% | 14.00% |
| Newtek Bank | 2 | $105,000 | 0% | 11.12% |
| KeyBank | 2 | $23,700 | 100% | 12.68% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loans here run smaller than average. The median of $100,000 is 33% 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 37% against 34% nationally.
- No single lender dominates, but the top three made 51% of these loans, so the shortlist below covers most of the active market.
Which of them lend to new businesses
Of those loans, 36.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zions Bank | 4 | $50,000 | 44% | 10.00% |
| Idaho Central CU | 3 | $252,000 | 43% | 10.50% |
| KeyBank | 2 | $23,700 | 100% | 12.68% |
| U.S. Bank | 2 | $188,600 | 40% | 8.60% |
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
- Education in comparable states: Wisconsin, Oregon, Connecticut, Nevada, Missouri, Indiana