Loans totaling more than $19.3 million leading to the creation of 218 new jobs and retention of 591 existing jobs put one regional bank in the top spot for Small Business Administration lending.

Zions Bank was ranked No. 1 for SBA 7(a) loan approvals in the Boise District for 2024. The bank reported it “more than doubled its volume” of the loans that it approved in 2023.

The bank approved 101 loans throughout the fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30.

The 7(a) loan program is the primary means by which the SBA provides financial assistance to small businesses, offering guarantees of up to $5 million.

“Local businesses are vital to the fabric of our community,” said Deneen May, president of Zions Bank Western Idaho Region. “We’re proud to support them as they create jobs and build our economy.”

One such recipient of an approved SBA 7(a) loan through Zions was Anime ID, a convention focused on the artistic areas of anime and manga comics and entertainment. The company is owned and operated by Jacob and Justin Carpenter, brothers who launched the business with its first convention in the summer of 2024.

At the inaugural event, more than 2,200 people from Idaho and neighboring states attended. The reception of the event has led to the planning of a subsequent annually held convention and smaller quarterly events.

“In addition to bringing in special industry guests, the convention supported dozens of small businesses that had a presence in the vendor hall,” Zions reported.

According to SBA data, the loans approved by Zions in 2024 represent more than 19% of the 530 7(a) approved in the Boise District in the 2024 fiscal year.