Lenders approved 1,913 SBA 7(a) loans worth $723M for Idaho businesses in fiscal years 2024 through 2026, net of cancellations. That ranks 27th of 52 by number of loans and 31st by dollars. The median loan was $125K at a median starting rate of 10.00%. In FY2026 alone, lenders approved 648 Idaho loans for $283M before cancellations.
What stands out in Idaho
Construction stands out
Construction accounted for 21.1% of Idaho's 7(a) loans (404 loans), 1.5 times its 13.8% national share. The median construction loan in Idaho was $100K at a median rate of 10.50%.
Lower charge-offs on older loans
Of the 710 Idaho 7(a) loans approved in FY2020 and FY2021, 2.1% had been charged off by September 2026, against 3.7% nationally. Measured in dollars, 0.5% of the amount approved was charged off (1.0% nationally).
A milder FY2026 drop than the country
Idaho approvals went from 813 in FY2025 to 648 in FY2026 (−20.3%), against −28.1% nationally. Dollar volume went from $291M to $283M (−2.5%).
Smaller loans than average
The median 7(a) loan in Idaho was $125K, below the national median of $175K. 59.9% of Idaho loans were $150,000 or less (49.0% nationally) and 9.5% were $1 million or more (13.6% nationally).
SBA Express is the main channel
45.2% of Idaho's 7(a) loans were made through SBA Express, against 35.8% nationally. Express loans are capped at $500,000 and the lender makes the credit decision itself, so they move faster but are smaller. The median Idaho loan was $125K (national median $175K).
Industries that borrow most in Idaho
| Sector | Loans | Share | Median loan | Median rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 404 | 21.1% | $100K | 10.50% |
| Retail | 198 | 10.4% | $150K | 10.00% |
| Health care | 192 | 10.0% | $147K | 9.62% |
| Other services (repair, personal care) | 179 | 9.4% | $100K | 10.25% |
| Restaurants and hotels | 172 | 9.0% | $171K | 10.00% |
| Professional services | 148 | 7.7% | $125K | 9.87% |
| Administrative and support services | 132 | 6.9% | $120K | 10.05% |
| Manufacturing | 126 | 6.6% | $200K | 9.75% |
How older loans performed
Of the 710 SBA 7(a) loans approved for Idaho businesses in FY2020 and FY2021 (not cancelled), 15 had been charged off by September 30, 2026: 2.1% by count and 0.5% of dollars approved. The national figures are 3.7% and 1.0%. Loans from these years have had five to seven years to season, so they say more about losses than recent loans do.
Idaho SBA 7(a) loans by fiscal year
SBA fiscal years run October to September, so FY2026 covers October 2025 through September 2026. "Approved" counts every loan SBA guaranteed, the basis of SBA's own published totals; "not cancelled" drops loans that were later cancelled before or after funding. FY2026 loans are recent, so some of them may still be cancelled.
| FY2024 | FY2025 | FY2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loans approved | 644 | 813 | 648 |
| Dollars approved | $219M | $291M | $283M |
| Loans not cancelled | 588 | 737 | 588 |
| Median loan | $100K | $123K | $150K |
| Median rate | 11.00% | 10.00% | 9.25% |
| Loans of $150K or less | 62.8% | 62.6% | 53.6% |
| SBA Express share | 46.4% | 43.6% | 46.1% |
FY2026 approvals in Idaho changed by −20.3% from FY2025; nationally the change was −28.1%. See why SBA lending fell in FY2026.
What a typical Idaho SBA loan looks like
| FY2024-FY2026, not cancelled | Idaho | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median loan | $125K | $175K |
| Average loan | $378K | $508K |
| Median starting rate | 10.00% | 10.25% |
| Variable-rate loans | 88.8% | 86.4% |
| Median term | 120 months | 120 months |
| Loans of $150K or less | 59.9% | 49.0% |
| Loans of $500K or less | 82.5% | 76.9% |
| Loans of $1M or more | 9.5% | 13.6% |
| Startups (loan opens the business) | 17.3% | 16.1% |
| Startups and businesses 2 years old or less | 37.7% | 32.0% |
| Change of ownership (buying a business) | 8.8% | 10.9% |
| Franchise businesses | 9.0% | 11.0% |
| SBA Express loans | 45.2% | 35.8% |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 15,163 | 1,733,816 |
Top SBA 7(a) lenders in Idaho
| Lender | Loans | Share of state |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Zions Bancorporation, National Association | 376 | 19.7% |
| 2. Idaho Central CU | 189 | 9.9% |
| 3. U.S. Bank, National Association | 163 | 8.5% |
| 4. Columbia Bank | 162 | 8.5% |
| 5. Glacier Bank | 83 | 4.3% |
| 6. Mountain America FCU | 63 | 3.3% |
| 7. D. L. Evans Bank | 61 | 3.2% |
| 8. The Huntington National Bank | 58 | 3.0% |
| 9. Wells Fargo Bank National Association | 40 | 2.1% |
| 10. Washington Trust Bank | 40 | 2.1% |
Where in Idaho the loans go
| County | Loans |
|---|---|
| Ada | 651 |
| Kootenai | 202 |
| Canyon | 189 |
| Bonneville | 149 |
| Bannock | 69 |
| Bonner | 66 |
| Bingham | 53 |
| Twin Falls | 51 |
| City | Loans |
|---|---|
| Boise | 316 |
| Meridian | 191 |
| Idaho Falls | 129 |
| Nampa | 121 |
| Coeur D Alene | 74 |
| Pocatello | 58 |
| Post Falls | 50 |
| Eagle | 48 |
Counts only, and only places with at least 10 loans. No individual businesses are listed.
SBA 504 loans in Idaho
The SBA 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-life equipment. A certified development company (CDC) lends up to 40% of the project with an SBA-backed debenture, a bank typically lends about 50%, and the business puts in the rest. The amounts below are the CDC portion.
| Idaho | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 504 loans, FY2024-FY2026 (not cancelled) | 247 | 18,076 |
| 504 dollars | $207M | $20.82B |
| Median 504 loan | $544K | $742K |
| Jobs supported (reported at approval) | 1,938 | 190,338 |
| Most active CDCs | 504 loans |
|---|---|
| Capital Matrix, Inc. | 122 |
| Mountain West Small Business Finance | 60 |
| Panhandle Area Council, Inc. | 20 |
| East-central Idaho Development Company | 13 |
| Intermountain Business Lending, Inc. | 12 |
SBA district office for Idaho
Idaho loans are split between the Boise District Office (80% of loans) and the Seattle District Office (20% of loans). District offices do not make loans; they support lenders and borrowers and point businesses to local resource partners. Contact details are on SBA's local assistance page.
Comparing SBA and other funding in Idaho
An SBA loan is often the cheapest long-term money a small business can get, but approval takes weeks and the 2025 and 2026 rule changes narrowed who qualifies. FSE (Funding Solutions Experts) is an independent commercial finance brokerage. We are not an SBA lender and are not affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration; one application lets us compare SBA and non-SBA options from our funding partners side by side.
- No fee to your business: we are paid a commission by the funding partner.
- No credit check to apply.
- To be considered, a business generally needs at least 1 year in business and $10,000 or more in monthly revenue.
Read what an SBA loan is and how the programs work or our SBA and term loans guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many SBA loans were made in Idaho?
Lenders approved 644 SBA 7(a) loans for Idaho businesses in FY2024, 813 in FY2025 and 648 in FY2026, before cancellations. Net of cancelled loans, the three years total 1,913 loans worth $723M, plus 247 SBA 504 loans worth $207M.
Which banks make the most SBA loans in Idaho?
In FY2024 to FY2026 the most active 7(a) lenders in Idaho were Zions Bancorporation, National Association (376 loans, 19.7%), Idaho Central CU (189 loans, 9.9%), U.S. Bank, National Association (163 loans, 8.5%).
What is the typical SBA loan size and rate in Idaho?
The median 7(a) loan in Idaho was $125K and the average was $378K. The median starting interest rate was 10.00%, 88.8% of loans had a variable rate, and the median term was 120 months.
Source and method
Figures come from the U.S. Small Business Administration's 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan files (as of September 30, 2026), aggregated by FSE. Loans are assigned to Idaho by project state. Profile figures cover FY2024-FY2026 loans that were not cancelled. We publish aggregates only: no borrower names or addresses, and no figure based on fewer than 10 loans. Full details are in the methodology, and every state's figures can be downloaded as CSV.
Compare nearby states by volume: Tennessee, South Carolina, Nevada, Puerto Rico, or see all states.