Lending data
Who actually lends to media and information businesses in Massachusetts?
46 SBA 7(a) loans went to media and information businesses in Massachusetts recently, at a median of $100,000. Here are the lenders that made them, ranked.
46 SBA 7(a) loans went to media and information businesses in Massachusetts in the most recent fiscal years. The median was $100,000 over 10 years. The most active lender was Eastern Bank, with 13 loans.
What lending to media and information businesses in Massachusetts 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, Massachusetts | All 7(a) borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 46 | 214,102 |
| Median loan | $100,000 | $150,000 |
| 25th - 75th percentile | $48,050 - $250,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Median term | 10 years | 10 years |
| Median initial rate | 10.75% | 10.25% |
| Share to startups | 15.2% | 33.6% |
| Charge-off rate, FY2010-19 cohort | 4.1% | 7.1% |
Which lenders actually funded them
Ranked by loans approved to media and information businesses in Massachusetts. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Bank | 13 | $34,400 | 8% | 12.24% |
| Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank | 4 | $180,200 | 50% | 8.38% |
| TD Bank | 4 | $87,500 | 25% | 11.53% |
| Webster Bank | 3 | $80,000 | 0% | 10.75% |
| Bank of America | 3 | $250,000 | 0% | 11.25% |
| Newtek Bank | 3 | $150,000 | 67% | 10.50% |
| Citizens Bank | 2 | $500,000 | 0% | 10.07% |
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.
- This is a hard market for new businesses. Only 15% of these loans went to startups, against 34% nationally. If you are pre-revenue, work from the startup table below rather than the main list.
- One lender dominates. Eastern Bank alone made 28% of these loans, and the top three made 46%. 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 higher here. The median initial rate of 10.75% is 0.50 points above 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 4.1% 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, 15.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank | 2 | $180,200 | 50% | 8.38% |
| Newtek Bank | 2 | $150,000 | 67% | 10.50% |
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 Massachusetts: construction, professional services, restaurants and hotels, personal services, retail, healthcare
- Media in comparable states: Pennsylvania, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, Maryland, Georgia