Updated SBA 7a data available in data library

Which businesses in your community have loans backed by the Small Business Administration? Find out using NICAR's recently updated SBA 7(a) loan data, which includes loans from 1953 through September, 2012.

WHAT'S IN IT?
The 7(a) program is the SBA's most common loan program. It provides loans to small business owners who can't obtain financing through traditional channels. The program operates through private-sector lenders who provide loans that are, in turn, guaranteed by the SBA. The SBA 7(a) program itself has no funds for direct lending or grants.

The data contain information on the business getting the loan including address and industry code, the bank lending the money, the amount loaned, the interest rate, and (where applicable) whether the loan was paid in full or charged off.

WHAT FORMAT?
SBA 7a data come in .dbf format, easily imported or linked in Access and other database managers. If you'd like something different, we'll do our best to help you out.  Email datalib@ire.org or call (573) 884-7711.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT?
You can identify the businesses in your area with loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and find out which financial institutions are making those loans.

Journalists can use 7(a) data to explore repayment of SBA loans by businesses in their communities, find out which financial institutions are major SBA lenders and find out what types of businesses are getting the loans. The data can also help you investigate how the SBA works with state and local agencies to lend money to small businesses.

For more information on the data go to https://www.ire.org/nicar/database-library/databases/sba-7a-business-loans/ or contact the Database Library at 573-884-7711 or datalib@ire.org.

If you have any questions, or want to discuss the merits of linking over importing in Access, call or email us.