Lending data
Who actually lends to schools and training businesses in Wisconsin?
42 SBA 7(a) loans went to schools and training businesses in Wisconsin recently, at a median of $150,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
42 SBA 7(a) loans went to schools and training businesses in Wisconsin in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $150,000 over 10 years. The most active lender was U.S. Bank, with 6 loans.
What lending to schools and training businesses in Wisconsin 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, Wisconsin | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 42 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $150,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $68,750 - $392,750 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 9.50% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 38.1% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 7.2% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to schools and training businesses in Wisconsin. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bank | 6 | $42,500 | 17% | 10.44% |
| Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation | 5 | $150,000 | 40% | 12.25% |
| Bank First | 5 | $225,000 | 20% | 8.50% |
| Waukesha State Bank | 3 | $755,000 | 33% | 10.25% |
| Wings Credit Union | 2 | $355,000 | 100% | 7.62% |
| American National Bank-Fox Cities | 2 | $1,529,000 | 100% | 8.25% |
| Northeast Bank | 2 | $117,500 | 0% | 9.88% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loan sizes are typical. The median of $150,000 is within a few percent of the $150,000 national median across all 7(a) borrowers, so nothing about this market is unusual on size.
- Startup share is about average, at 38% against 34% nationally.
- No single lender dominates, but the top three made 38% of these loans, so the shortlist below covers most of the active market.
- Rates run lower here. The median initial rate of 9.50% is 0.75 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, 38.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings Credit Union | 2 | $355,000 | 100% | 7.62% |
| American National Bank-Fox Cities | 2 | $1,529,000 | 100% | 8.25% |
| Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation | 2 | $150,000 | 40% | 12.25% |
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 Wisconsin: restaurants and hotels, construction, retail, personal services, manufacturing, healthcare
- Education in comparable states: Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Connecticut, Missouri, Indiana