Small Business Lending

Small businesses are the heart of a community, creating jobs, providing the services and products it relies on, and a catalyst for additional development and building wealth.

CNI’s small business lending arm – Greenwood Archer Capital (GAC) – is a nonprofit 501(c)3 Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) founded in 2012 to deploy small business loans catalyzing entrepreneurs and nonprofits throughout the metropolitan Chicago area and its adjacent suburbs in Cook, Lake and Will counties.

Building on its record of deploying nearly $19 million in loans to more than 1,600 small businesses, GAC is adding equity investments to the products offered to small businesses. And through a new program “Your Forte, Our Finance,” an innovative lending initiative offering 100% financing and low interest rate loans of up to $200,000 for small businesses seeking to purchase commercial real estate.

In addition to these new financial products, GAC has a portfolio of microenterprise and small business loan products and technical assistance programs designed to help entrepreneurs find the financing and services they need to start and/or grow their operation. This includes offering loans of up to $100,000 for established businesses and start-up businesses, allowing for flexible underwriting options to help entrepreneurs launch and expand their businesses. Its loans support businesses with working capital, assist in purchasing new inventory and much-needed capital to growing new businesses.

GAC’s loans are funded by community partners who share its commitment to creating opportunity for entrepreneurs in low-to-moderate income communities. They include: Associated Bank; Byline Bank; Capital One; Citi; Fifth Third Bank; JPMorgan Chase; PNC Bank; U.S. Bank; Wintrust; Wells Fargo; Fifth-Third; PayPal; Chicago Community Trust; Food Land Opportunity; Robert P. McCormick Foundation; and The Builders Initiative.

Building Strong Communities by Growing Small Businesses

GAC demonstrates it commitment by

  • Deploying $19 million in loans and grants to small business owners
  • The average loan size is $44,000
  • Making sure products and services are accessible to all income levels — 71% of its loans to low-to-moderate income borrowers
  • Creating opportunities for small business owners at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey by making 33% loans to start-up businesses
  • Leveling the playing field for women by making 49% of its loans to women business owners
Visit Greenwood Archer Capital's Website

Million Dollars Deployed

Small Businesses Served

%

of Loans to Low-to-Moderate Income Borrowers

Thousand Average Loan Size

Learn more about GAC’s small business loans, financial services, and technical assistance programs.