Helping infuse small businesses with the capital they need to grow and create jobs, Zions First National Bank announced October 15, 2009 its rank as the top lender of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans in Utah for 2009. Zions has ranked as Utah’s No.1 SBA lender for the past 16 consecutive years. It has also ranked as the top SBA lender in Idaho’s Boise District for the past eight consecutive years.

Zions Bank approved 869 SBA 7(a) loans in Utah totaling $58.7 million for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2009. These loans represent 38 percent of the 2,247 SBA-backed loans approved in the state during fiscal year 2009.

“At a time when questions are being raised about banks’ willingness to make loans, Zions Bank is proud to continue to demonstrate our institution-wide commitment to supporting small businesses as they build and drive our economies,” said Zions Bank President and CEO Scott Anderson. “Even in a challenging environment, the fact that we approved just 40 fewer SBA loans than we did in fiscal year 2008 further demonstrates our willingness to lend to small businesses.”

Zions First National Bank, a subsidiary of Zions Bancorporation, was the first financial institution in the nation to receive authorization by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to extend a new America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) loan to a small business client. Zions Bank received approval of an ARC loan application from the SBA on June 15, 2009, the day SBA began offering these loans that provide an immediate infusion of capital to small businesses to assist with making payments of principal and interest on existing debt.

Zions Bank has been honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as First Mortgage Lender of the Year for its excellence in making first mortgage loans in conjunction with SBA 504 projects for commercial owner-occupied real estate. The award was presented May 18 by the SBA at a reception in Washington, D.C. as part of National Small Business Week.

“In the early 1990s, Zions Bank’s National Real Estate Department became a pioneer in originating loans through local banks nationwide. Today, we’re honored to receive this recognition from the SBA, and we’re proud to be the leading nationwide secondary market SBA 504 first mortgage lender for small business commercial real estate loans,” said Zions Bank President and CEO Scott Anderson.

At a time when media reports reflect concern over banks’ ability to lend during the credit crunch, Zions Bank has launched an aggressive advertising campaign to let small business owners know it has funds to help them succeed. The campaign includes radio spots on several stations throughout Utah and Idaho and print advertisements in major daily and weekly publications across the bank’s market area.

“In uncertain economic times, many people choose to go into business for themselves — to finally act on the business plan they’ve been hatching for years and to realize their dreams. These courageous entrepreneurs need not only the support of consumers, but also the help of financial experts at Zions Bank who know the ins and outs of business finance,” said Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Zions Bank.