Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
SBA Lenders for Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Top lenders ranked by real SBA lending data for arts, entertainment & recreation nationwide.
What Borrowers Should Know
Arts and entertainment borrowers are getting better pricing than the national average. The median spread here is P+2.47%, which is 28 basis points lower than the national median of P+2.75%. This suggests lenders view this industry as less risky than typical, or competition among 409 active lenders is driving rates down. If you're in this sector, you have leverage to negotiate—ask your lender to match or beat P+2.47%.
California dominates this lending market with 2,540 of 3,785 total deals (67%)—more than 3.8x the next state (Arizona with 658). This concentration means lenders have deep expertise in CA but borrowers outside CA may face less competition and potentially higher rates. If you're borrowing in CA, you'll find many specialized lenders; if you're in other regions, expect fewer options and possibly stiffer terms.
Deal sizes average $482,711, which is relatively modest and suggests many borrowers in this sector are funding smaller operations—studios, galleries, theaters, or entertainment venues rather than large chains. This size range typically means faster SBA approval timelines (60-90 days vs. 120+ for larger loans), but also less negotiating power on rates. Budget for modest loan amounts and expect efficient processing.
Total SBA Loans
34,794
Active Lenders
2,069
Avg Deal Size
$566K
Total Volume
$19.7B
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation SBA loans average $566K in deal size across 34,794 total loans. The median 7(a) spread in this segment is P + 2.34%.
Top Lenders for Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Ranked by total deal count nationwide.
| # | Lender | Type | Deals | Avg Size | Spread | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank | Bank | 3,174 | $294K | P + 2.50%AVERAGE | |
| 2 | Wells Fargo Bank National Association | Bank | 2,101 | $326K | P + 2.73%AVERAGE | |
| 3 | JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | Bank | 1,091 | $267K | P + 2.35%AVERAGE | |
| 4 | U.S. Bank, National Association | Bank | 1,044 | $393K | P + 2.16%GOOD | |
| 5 | Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company | Bank | 921 | $185K | P + 2.23%GOOD | |
| 6 | TD Bank, National Association | Bank | 725 | $241K | P + 2.48%AVERAGE | |
| 7 | KeyBank National Association | Bank | 520 | $598K | P + 2.27%AVERAGE | |
| 8 | Newtek Bank, National Association | Bank | 464 | $453K | P + 3.19%ABOVE AVG | |
| 9 | Celtic Bank Corporation | Bank | 453 | $572K | P + 2.65%AVERAGE | |
| 10 | Stearns Bank National Association | Bank | 424 | $252K | P + 2.73%AVERAGE | |
| 11 | Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc. | Non-Bank | 424 | $698K | P + 2.87%ABOVE AVG | |
| 12 | Live Oak Banking Company | Bank | 372 | $1.2M | P + 2.20%GOOD | |
| 13 | Northeast Bank | Bank | 357 | $150K | P + 3.09%ABOVE AVG | |
| 14 | Readycap Lending, LLC | Non-Bank | 334 | $410K | P + 3.74%HIGH | |
| 15 | Zions Bank, A Division of | Bank | 307 | $400K | P + 2.15%GOOD |
Top States for Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Where arts, entertainment & recreation SBA lending is most active.