LGBTQ LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Tell us about your small business financing needs
Business Loans for LGBTQ-Owned Businesses
The Amegy Bank Small Business Diversity Banking Program provides greater access to business loans for LGBTQ business owners. We know that LGBTQ businesses have been underserved and are underrepresented when it comes to financing. Count on us to provide seasoned guidance and streamline the process for short-term or long-term financing to fuel your future growth.
SMALL BUSINESS DIVERSITY PROGRAM
It’s about the relationship.
Access a Small Business Diversity Banking Program loan and build a stronger foundation for your business:
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Wider access to loans and lines of credit through Special Purpose Credit Program underwriting guidelines can assist minority business owners who might otherwise be denied.
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Equity is promoted for those who have experienced economic disadvantages.
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Definitions of qualifying groups are based on guidance from governmental and regulatory agencies.
Your business may qualify for one or more of these available small business loan options:
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Business Access Lines of Credit up to $100,000
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Business Access Term Loans up to $250,000
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Secured, Unsecured, or Undersecured Lines of Credit
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Secured, Unsecured, or Undersecured Term Loans
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Owner-Occupied Real Estate Loans
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Long-Term Fixed Asset Financing
Who qualifies for a LGBTQ Small Business Loan?
- A small business with more than 50 percent of the ownership or control held by 1 or more LGBTQ individual; and more than 50 percent of the net profit or loss accruing to 1 or more LGBTQ individual.
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The Small Business Diversity Banking Program defines "LGBTQ" as spanning and to be inclusive of the many identities within the LGBTQIA+ community including, but not limited to, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Agender.
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The business is located within Texas.
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Gross Annual Revenue is not to exceed $10 million.
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Types of Business
Sole Proprietor
Partnership
Limited Liability LLC
C Corp
S Corp
Non-profit
What is the process for obtaining a LGBTQ business loan?
First
See the section above 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.
Second
Gather the required information and documents.
Third
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.
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For a Business Line of Credit, borrow up to $100,000, 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.
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Loans and lines of credit are available up to a $1,000,000 maximum loan amount. However, most term loans are under $250,000 and typical lines of credit do not exceed $25,000 to $50,000.
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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.
Why choose Amegy Bank for your Small Business Loan?
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.
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.
Experience 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.
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.
You can contact us today
We’re ready to talk about small business loan opportunities for diverse businesses. Reach out to get the conversation started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eligibility criteria for the Small Business Diversity Banking Program?
To qualify for this program, the applicant must be a Woman-Owned Small Business, a Minority-Owned Small Business, a Veteran-Owned Small Business, or an LGBTQ-owned Small Business.
What is considered a Woman-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.
What is considered a Minority-Owned Small Business?
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.)
What is considered a Veteran-Owned Small Business?
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.)
What is considered an LGBTQ-Owned Small Business?
An LGBTQ-Owned Small Business has more than 50 percent of the ownership or control held by an LGBTQ, and more than 50 percent of the net profit or loss accruing to one or more LGBTQ. (The Small Business Diversity Banking Program defines LGBTQ as spanning and to be inclusive of the many identities within the LGBTQIA+ community including, but not limited to, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Agender.)
What constitutes a 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.
What constitutes a Small Business?
The Bank defines a “Small Business” as one having up to $10 million in Gross Annual Revenue.
Is this a Small Business Administration (SBA) program?
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.
Are nonprofits eligible for the Small Business Diversity Banking Program?
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, more than 50% controlled by LGBTQ individuals, or more than 50% controlled by one or more Veterans.
Can a business qualify for the Small Business Diversity Banking Program if ownership among eligible individuals exceeds 50% but no single eligible owner holds greater than 50% ownership?
Yes, as long as the combined ownership of eligible owners from a single eligible group (women, minority, LGBTQ, or Veteran) exceeds 50%.
Is a business eligible for the Small Business Diversity Banking Program if it is greater than 50% owned by a combination of women, minorities, LGBTQ individuals and/or Veterans, but is not greater than 50% owned by an individual(s) from a single eligible group (women, minorities, LGBTQ individuals, or Veterans)?
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, LGBTQ-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.
Are there any program or product limitations?
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 $250,000 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 $100,000 standard line maximum).