USBCI for Small Businesses
The Utah Small Business Credit Initiative (USBCI) partners with lenders to offer loans between $25,000 to $3 million to Utah small businesses.
USBCI includes two programs:
Capital Access Program
The USBCI Capital Access Program is the most accessible of the USBCI lending programs, offering loans with a target size of $25,000 - $250,000. It provides lenders with loss protection that helps them fund projects considered too risky for conventional lending.
- This program is an excellent fit for small businesses currently needing to qualify for lending products on the market.
- This program helps small businesses secure a short-term source of capital and lending experience before transitioning into larger, lower-rate options.
- The average term is three to five years.
The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity is currently enrolling lenders. Once approved, lenders will be posted here. The Economic Opportunity office will actively enroll lenders throughout the program’s first year.
Loan Participation Program
The USBCI Loan Participation Program offers the lowest rates of all USBCI lending programs and offers loans up to $20 million with a state-owned maximum of $1 million. It works by partnering with Community Development Financial Institutions and Revolving Loan Funds (CDFIS/RLFs), which purchase up to half of a small business loan from a primary lender. The state assigns the USBCI-owned portion of the loan a low-interest rate. The lender-owned portion of the loan receives the market interest rate from the lender. The borrower then receives the blended interest rate.
- Growth-stage businesses that need funding to invest in inventory or other business expenses are an excellent fit for this program.
- The average term is three to five years.
- Blended interest rate.
The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity is currently reviewing lender applications. Participating lenders will be posted here as they are approved. The Economic Opportunity office will actively enroll lenders for the program’s first year.
The Application Process
Eligible Borrowers
- Utah-based small businesses
- Utah-based nonprofits
Eligible Loans
- Loans may be used for a business purpose, including but not limited to start-up costs; working capital; franchise fees; and acquisition of equipment, inventory, or services used in the production, manufacturing, or delivery of a business’s goods or services. Funds may also be used for the purchase, construction, renovation, or tenant improvements of an eligible place of business that is not for passive real estate investment purposes.
- Loans may not be used for passive real estate.
How to Apply
- Small businesses reach out to a participating lender.
- The lender evaluates the business and determines which USBCI program is the best fit.
- The lender submits a USBCI program application to the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity along with the required documentation.
- The Economic Opportunity office reviews the application.
- If approved, the lender collects all required forms and signatures from the borrower and finalizes the application.
- The small business is funded.
To learn more about how this program works, visit the USBCI for Lenders webpage.