Banking on Diversity

Minority Business Fund

Four banks have collectively committed up to $1 million in interest-free loans to aid both startup and existing minority-owned small businesses within the sponsoring community bank markets.

The Banking on Diversity program was created through a partnership of community banks in the Northern Virginia / Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia area that understand the importance and benefit of having a diverse business community.

It has been designed to aid both start-up and existing minority owned small businesses within the sponsoring organizations’ markets. Annually, up to $1,000,000 in interest free loans will be made available to businesses that meet certain qualification standards. There are two categories of loan programs, one for start-ups and one for existing businesses.

Program Sponsors:

Bank of Clarke County
BCT-Bank of Charles Town
The Fauquier Bank
First Bank

Program Guidelines-Overall

*Only available to for-profit businesses

Must qualify as a minority-owned business using one of the following two certificates:

MBE Certification. Click here for more information on Minority Business Enterprise.
SBA 8(a) Certification. Click here for more information on Small Business Administration 8(a).

Annual revenues cannot exceed $1MM (business) or $500k (farms)
Business must be located in counties of Frederick (VA), Loudoun (VA), Fauquier (VA), Clarke (VA), Winchester (VA), Warren (VA), Shenandoah (VA), Prince William (VA), Jefferson (WV), Berkeley (WV), or Washington (MD)
Loan amounts up to $50,000 (existing business) or $10,000 (new business)
New business must have been in existence for at least 3 months.
Existing business must have been in existence for more than 2 years.
Ability to provide documentation as described below

Required Documentation:

Loan Application
Complete Minority Owned Business Certification
Full Description of business and website (if applicable)
Current Certificate of Good Standing for the business with Virginia or West Virginia
Prior year tax returns (for existing business)
Current year proforma and 3-year projections (existing business)
Current year proforma and 5-year projections (new business) and any market research completed to create the business

Apply for a Banking on Diversity loan today:

Banking on Diversity Application

Submit Application