Lending data
Who actually lends to media and information businesses in Iowa?
26 SBA 7(a) loans went to media and information businesses in Iowa recently, at a median of $50,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
26 SBA 7(a) loans went to media and information businesses in Iowa in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $50,000 over 10 years. The most active lender was Nicolet National Bank, with 6 loans.
What lending to media and information businesses in Iowa 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 | Information and media, Iowa | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 26 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $50,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $30,000 - $372,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 9.75% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 42.3% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | not enough history | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to media and information businesses in Iowa. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolet National Bank | 6 | $66,000 | 33% | 9.75% |
| U.S. Bank | 6 | $50,000 | 83% | 12.12% |
| Bank Iowa | 3 | $30,000 | 0% | 9.00% |
| Farmers State Bank | 2 | $167,500 | 100% | 9.25% |
| Raccoon Valley Bank | 2 | $712,600 | 0% | 7.75% |
| City State Bank | 2 | $82,500 | 0% | 8.75% |
What stands out in this market
Reading the figures above against the national picture:
- Loans here run smaller than average. The median of $50,000 is 67% below the $150,000 national median. Smaller loans price higher under the SBA spread caps, so budget for a rate above the headline range.
- New businesses do well here. 42% of these loans went to startups or businesses under two years old, against 34% nationally — an unusually open market if you have no trading history.
- No single lender dominates, but the top three made 58% of these loans, so the shortlist below covers most of the active market.
- Rates run lower here. The median initial rate of 9.75% is 0.50 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, 42.3% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bank | 5 | $50,000 | 83% | 12.12% |
| Farmers State Bank | 2 | $167,500 | 100% | 9.25% |
| Nicolet National Bank | 2 | $66,000 | 33% | 9.75% |
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 Iowa: restaurants and hotels, construction, personal services, retail, healthcare, arts and recreation
- Media in comparable states: Nevada, Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee