BIA Loan Program Guidelines

• BIA provides loan guaranties for the purpose of financing an economic enterprise, which contributes to the economy of a reservation or its members.
• Congress has not funded the BIA Equity Grant or US Direct Loan Programs since 1997.
• The Guaranty Loan Program offers a guaranty to the lender of up to 90% of the outstanding loan balance, up to $500,000.
• Applicants must be able to document that they cannot obtain funding without the loan guaranty.
• Businesses must be at least 51% owned by a member of a Federally recognized Indian tribe.
• Applicants work directly with the lenders, the lenders will provide the loan application and a comprehensive business plan to the appropriate BIA Agency for processing.
• Processing time varies greatly depending on the availability of funds.
• Technical assistance in completing the business plan is available from the Credit and Finance Department.