BUSINESS LOANS FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES
Businesses today need options, not excuses.
Securing financing for your small business should be based on what’s fair and equitable.
The California Bank & Trust Small Business Diversity Banking Program was designed to increase access to capital for women business owners. We know that women have been underserved and are underrepresented when it comes to financing their businesses. At California Bank & Trust, you can get access to the vital funds your business needs to grow. Because we are thoroughly committed to our role as a community bank, you’ll have the support of a knowledgeable, helpful local banker who will be there to serve your funding needs today and beyond.
It’s about the relationship.
Being a community bank isn’t a slogan. It’s a role that brings people and their businesses together. Our Small Business Diversity Banking Program is about breaking down barriers and putting our relationship bankers to work on a plan that matches the needs of your business.
When you do the right thing, people notice. We’re proud to have received high satisfaction ratings from business owners. It comes from long-standing relationships with business bankers within the community who understand local businesses and the local market. The bottom line is this: working with you to arrive at a financing solution that will work for you.
The Small Business Diversity Banking Program can be the opportunity you’ve been looking for:
- Wider access to loans and lines of credit through Special Purpose Credit Program underwriting guidelines can assist women business owners who might otherwise be denied.
- Equity is promoted for those who have experienced economic disadvantages.
- Definitions of qualifying groups are based on established standards from governmental and regulatory agencies.
Your business may qualify for one or more of these available small business loan options:
- Business Access Lines of Credit up to $25,000
- Business Access Term Loans up to $175,000
- Secured, Unsecured or Undersecured Lines of Credit
- Secured, Unsecured or Undersecured Term Loans
- Owner-Occupied Real Estate Loans
- Long-Term Fixed Asset Financing
Who Qualifies for a Women's Small Business Loan?
- A small business with more than 50 percent of the ownership or control held by 1 or more woman; and more than 50 percent of the net profit or loss accruing to 1 or more woman.
- The business is located within California.
- Gross Annual Revenue is not to exceed $10 million.
- Types of business
- Sole Proprietor
- Partnership
- Limited Liability LLC
- C Corp
- S Corp
- Non-profit
What is the process for obtaining a women's business loan?
See the section below to fill out the contact form, call us or schedule an appointment to meet with a knowledgeable business banker who can guide you in helping to secure the financing that’s right for you.
Gather the required information and documents.
Submit an application. Once your application is received, we’ll give you a timely decision made locally.
Payments and Loan Terms:
Lines of credit offer the flexibility of revolving credit while term loans range from 12 to 84 months and offer a fixed rate with predictable monthly payments.
- For a Business Line of Credit, borrow up to $50,000, get a same-day decision and next-day business funding. Your credit line is restored as you pay down the amount of capital you have used.
- Loans and lines of credit are available up to a $1,000,000 maximum loan amount. However, most term loans are under $175,000 and typical lines of credit do not exceed $25,000 to $50,000.
- Our experienced small business bankers can help you determine the right loan to expand your business, refinance debt, purchase assets or meet other short- or long-term needs. Contact us using the form below, call us or schedule an appointment at your nearest branch.
Short-Term Financing
Fund immediate needs for working capital, payroll and accounts receivable. Or use it for inventory purchases, taking trade discounts or marketing activities. It also can help with seasonal shortfalls or provide overdraft protection for your business deposit account.
Local Decision-Making
We’re a relationship-based community bank and are specialists in small business lending. Our seasoned bankers offer knowledge of local markets, flexible terms, a variety of options and decisions made locally. Because we focus on relationships, it’s no surprise that we get high marks for customer satisfaction.
Long-Term Financing
Finance commercial real estate, refinance existing debt or fund future growth and business acquisitions. Also use the security of a term loan to finance permanent working capital or purchase fixed assets including equipment, vehicles, fixtures and furniture.
A Commitment to Equity
One of our goals as a community bank is to provide access to capital for minority, women and veteran-owned small businesses that traditionally have been underrepresented in the credit market.
Experts in a Variety of Industries
Our experienced business bankers sit down with you to discuss your needs, your market and how to best capitalize on your growth opportunities. We are proud to have received numerous awards for excellence in small business banking and have been designated a Preferred SBA Lender.
Fast and Efficient
Get fast-tracked access to funds for borrowing needs under $50,000. Additionally, our lending professionals can provide solutions for long-term financing needs over $175,000.
Fill in a few details and we’ll call to discuss your business financing needs.
If you prefer, contact us today.
We’re ready to talk about small business loan opportunities for women-owned businesses.
(800) 400-6080
Frequently Asked Questions
To qualify for this program, the applicant must be a Woman-owned Small Business, a Minority-owned Small Business or a Veteran-owned Small Business.
A Woman-owned Small Business has more than 50 percent of the ownership or control held by one or more women; and more than 50 percent of the net profit or loss accruing to one or more women.
A Minority-owned Small Business has more than 50 percent of the ownership or control held by one or more minority; and more than 50 percent of the net profit or loss accruing to one or more minority. (The Small Business Diversity Banking Program defines minorities as Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and/or Hispanic or Latino.)
A Veteran-owned Small Business has more than 50 percent of the ownership or control held by one or more veteran; and more than 50 percent of the net profit or loss accruing to one or more veteran. (A "veteran" is defined as any person who (1) served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard or National Guard, including any member of a reserve component of the foregoing services, and (2) was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable.)
The Small Business Diversity Banking Program defines minorities as Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and/or Hispanic or Latino.
The Bank defines a “Small Business” as one having up to $10 million in Gross Annual Revenue.
No, the Small Business Diversity Banking Program is not an SBA program. It utilizes the Bank’s existing small business products and application processes and is fulfilled by the Bank’s Business Banking Loan Center. The Small Business Diversity Banking Program does not have a unique SBA Credit Policy with expanded criteria for Program applicants.
However, SBA loans are an important part of the Program. In many cases, an SBA loan may be the best solution for a Woman-owned, Minority-owned or Veteran-owned Small Business and a banker may recommend SBA loan applications and counteroffers where appropriate.
Yes, a non-profit organization may be eligible for the program, provided the entity is more than 50% controlled by one or more women, more than 50% controlled by one or more minorities or more than 50% controlled by one or more veterans.
Yes, as long as the combined ownership of eligible owners from a single eligible group (women, minority or veteran) exceeds 50%.
No. An example of this scenario would be a business with 33% ownership held by a woman, 33% ownership held by a minority, and 34% held by a non-veteran, non-minority, male.
In this scenario, the business is 66% owned by “eligible” individuals, but is not more than 50% Woman-owned, Minority-owned or Veteran-owned. So, the business ownership example described would not be eligible for the Small Business Diversity Banking Program because it does not meet the definition of a Woman-owned, Minority-owned or Veteran-owned Small Business.
Notwithstanding, we would be delighted to consider your lending needs and would encourage you to reach out to one of our Bankers to explore lending options with us.
The Small Business Diversity Banking Program uses the Bank’s existing small business loan products, processes and requirements:
- The applicant must have been in business for at least 2 years. Applicants not meeting this requirement likely will be reviewed for a counteroffer using Small Business Administration (SBA) underwriting criteria that differ from the Bank’s Small Business Diversity Banking Program.
- Small Business Diversity Banking Program loans have a $1,000,000 maximum loan amount for “full application” underwriting and maintain the $175,000 cap for Business Access term loans.
- Business Access Line of Credit applications that rely on relaxed credit criteria for approval are capped at a line size of $25,000 (as opposed to the Business Access $50,000 standard line maximum).
