SHANE PIERSON · SBA DATA
SBA by Industry · Book Stores

SBA Loans for Book Stores

SBA has approved 1,950 7(a) loans worth $231M to Book Stores businesses, and annual approvals have fallen 59% versus the prior decade.

1,950
7(a) loans
$231M
Approved dollars
$118,360
Average loan size
#167
Rank among industries
-59%
Annualized vs prior decade
10.9%
Active-loan distress
3%
Franchise-branded

Book Stores is the #167 most-funded business type in the SBA 7(a) record. Since 1991 the program has approved 1,950 such loans worth $231M, averaging $118,360 each. Annual approval volume has fallen 59% between the FY2013-2019 period and FY2020-2026. 10.9% of the active book is delinquent, past due, or in liquidation.

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7(a) loans only, approved and not cancelled, gross basis, classified by borrower NAICS. Distress is the current share of the active book in delinquent, past-due, or liquidation status. Approval is not funding. FOIA record as of March 31, 2026.