SBA lending by metro area
SBA lenders in Helena, MT
Which lenders fund Helena-area businesses, how much, and how the market compares with Montana: SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, FY2010–2026.
By Mario Bailey · SBA FOIA data as of 2026-03-31
Top SBA lenders in the Helena area
Ranked by SBA volume funded to businesses located in the Helena metropolitan area, wherever the lender is headquartered. National SBA lenders that fund here are included.
| # | Lender | Loans | Total funded | Average loan | 7(a) charge-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glacier Bank | 207 | $27.4M | $132K | 1.45% |
| 2 | First Interstate Bank | 52 | $12.8M | $247K | 5.77% |
| 3 | Opportunity Bank of Montana | 19 | $12.8M | $671K | not reported |
| 4 | Live Oak Banking Company | 8 | $12.6M | $1.6M | not reported |
| 5 | Ascent Bank | 40 | $11.1M | $279K | 5.00% |
| 6 | Big Sky Economic Development Corporation | 30 | $11.0M | $368K | not reported |
| 7 | Bank of the Rockies | 19 | $8.3M | $437K | not reported |
| 8 | Wells Fargo Bank National Association | 26 | $5.2M | $202K | 0.00% |
| 9 | First Montana Bank, Inc. | 6 | $5.0M | $825K | not reported |
| 10 | The Yellowstone Bank | 5 | $4.5M | $904K | not reported |
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, FY2010–2026, as of 2026-03-31, from the SBA's public record.
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How Helena compares
Median funded SBA loan and 504 share of loans, FY2010–2026.
| Median loan | 504 share | |
|---|---|---|
| Helena area | $101K ▼ 32.7% | 7.4% ▼ 3.9 pts |
| Montana | $150K | 11.3% |
| United States | $179K | 11.2% |
What gets funded in Helena
| Industry | Loans | Total funded |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 69 | $24.4M |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 60 | $20.2M |
| Retail Trade | 57 | $18.6M |
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation | 17 | $14.6M |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 61 | $13.9M |
| Other Services | 38 | $11.2M |
| Real Estate | 22 | $8.7M |
| Educational Services | 10 | $8.3M |
SBA lending in Helena by year
Geography, precisely
"Helena area" here means the Helena, MT metropolitan statistical area as delineated by OMB (July 2023), which is exactly these counties: Broadwater County, MT; Jefferson County, MT; Lewis and Clark County, MT. Loans are placed by the SBA's recorded project county, which can differ from a borrower's mailing address. Counts are SBA 7(a) and 504 funded loans, FY2010–2026, as of 2026-03-31. See the methodology.