522291 — Consumer Lending
Description
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in making unsecured cash loans to consumers.
Illustrative Examples
- Finance companies (i.e., unsecured cash loans)
- Personal credit institutions (i.e., unsecured cash loans)
- Loan companies (i.e., consumer, personal, student, small)
- Student loan companies
Exclusions & Cross-References
- Accepting deposits and lending funds from these deposits--are classified in Industry Group 5221,
- Depository Credit Intermediation;
- Arranging loans for others on a commission or fee basis--are classified in Industry 522310, Mortgage and
- Nonmortgage Loan Brokers;
- Servicing loans or providing check cashing services--are classified in Industry 522390, Other Activities
- Related to Credit Intermediation;
- Providing credit sales by issuing credit cards--are classified in Industry 522210, Credit Card Issuing; and
- Factoring accounts receivables--are classified in U.S. Industry 522299, International, Secondary Market,
- and All Other Depository Credit Intermediation.
Overview Facts
| NAICS Code | 522291 |
|---|---|
| Industry Title | Consumer Lending |
| SBA Size Standard | $47,000,000 |
| U.S. Establishments | 12,106 (Census CBP, 2023) |
| IRS PBA Code | 522291 (exact match) |
| Sectors Hierarchy | Sector 52 → 522 → 5222 |
| Source / Verified | US Census 2022 NAICS Manual, Census CBP / 2026-06-28 |
Legacy SIC Concordance
Trace the historical mapping chain from the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) to the modern 2022 NAICS code format.
- SIC 6141 - Personal Credit Institutions (via SIC1987:6141→NAICS1997:522291→2002:522291→2007:522291→2012:522291→2017:522291→2022:522291)
Suggested Product Service Codes (Advisory)
The following Product Service Codes (PSCs) are advisory suggestions aligned with this NAICS code. Note: NAICS and PSC codes map to different dimensions of procurement (industry vs. product/service). There is no official binding 1:1 crosswalk.
- PSC R711 — Banking Services(includes accepting and cashing government checks and other payment instruments, accepting direct deposits, accepting payments to the government from the public)
Source: DoD DPCAP PSC Selection Tool (Ingested: 2026-06-29)
Related Resources & Compliance Guides
Further regulatory reference links for NAICS code 522291:
- Sector 52 Directory Hub — List of related industries in the Finance and Insurance sector.
- SIC ↔ NAICS Crosswalk Tool — Look up mappings between legacy SIC codes and modern classifications.
- SBA Size Standards Guide — Complete rules and averaging periods for small business classifications.
- Calculating Annual Receipts Guide — Detailed worked example of revenue calculation rules.
- IRS Principal Business Activity Guide — How NAICS codes map to corporate and entity tax filings.
Related Industries in 5222
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is 522291 a valid 2022 NAICS code?
NAICS 522291 is 'Consumer Lending', a 2022 U.S. national industry under Sector 52 (Finance and Insurance); the SBA small-business size standard is $47,000,000.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 522291?
The SBA small business size standard for NAICS 522291 is $47,000,000 (based on receipts).
What is the legacy SIC code mapping for 522291?
NAICS code 522291 maps to the legacy 1987 SIC codes: 6141 - Personal Credit Institutions.