Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI)

The TSBCI Program supports small business growth and helps create new jobs by increasing access to capital for eligible Texas small businesses. The program is designed to expand financing opportunities for small businesses that may otherwise face challenges accessing capital. TSBCI is administered by the Economic Development Finance Division within the Office of the Governor's Economic Development & Tourism Office on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI) Program web portal is open for applications from financial institutions interested in participating. As financial institutions are accepted into the program, they will be added to the list of approved financial institutions that eligible small businesses should contact for loan application details.

Type of Financing

Through participating financial institutions, Texas administers three TSBCI Programs: the Capital Access Program (CAP), the Loan Guarantee Program (LGP), and the Loan Participation Program (LPP).

The CAP provides matching portfolio insurance premium payments to a loan loss reserve (LLR) account created for each participating financial institution. The more loans a lender makes, the more coverage the lender has in the LLR. If a loan is charged-off, the lender can recover up to 100% of the charged-off principal. By reducing the lender’s portfolio risk, the program provides financial institutions the additional assurance needed to extend loans to small business that otherwise face challenges in accessing capital. Loans of $5,000 up to $5 million may be enrolled in the CAP.

The LGP provides guarantees of up to 80% of unpaid principal on enrolled loans. By reducing lender risk, the program encourages participating financial institutions to make loans to eligible small businesses that might not otherwise qualify for conventional financing. Loans of $5,000 to $20 million may be enrolled in the LGP.

The Loan Participation Program (LPP) expands access to capital for Texas small businesses through two complementary financing components:

Loan Purchase Participation Program (LPPP): Purchases up to 50% participation interests in qualified loans originated by participating financial institutions, increasing lenders' capacity to extend credit while sharing risk.
Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Direct Lending Program (CDLP): Provides low-cost capital directly to participating CDFIs, enabling them to expand lending to eligible Texas small businesses. Under the CDLP, participating CDFIs may receive a direct loan with a fixed 1% interest rate and terms of up to nine years. CDFIs are required to provide a minimum 1:1 capital match, effectively doubling the lending resources available to support Texas small businesses.

Who can Apply?

Financial institutions interested in participating in the TSBCI Programs may apply through the TSBCI Portal linked below. Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI), Very Small Businesses (VSB) and other small business owners should contact their preferred lender to encourage enrollment in TSBCI Programs as a participating financial institution.

Eligibility for Small Businesses

Financial institutions may enroll loans from borrowers that meet the following criteria: Very Small Businesses (fewer than 10 employees) and Small Businesses (fewer than 500 employees). These eligible small businesses must also be for-profit organizations, domiciled in Texas, and have a minimum of 51% of their employees currently located in Texas. Eligible small businesses should contact an approved financial institution for loan application details or contact their preferred lender to encourage enrollment in TSBCI Programs as a participating financial institution.

Resources

Application for Financial Institutions

Applying is simple.

Capital Access Program (CAP) and Loan Participation Program (LPP)

Financial institutions interested in participating in the TSBCI Capital Access Program (CAP) or Loan Participation Program (LPP) can begin the application process by accessing the TSBCI Portal below.

Launch the TSBCI Portal

CDFI Direct Lending Program (CDLP)

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) interested in participating in the CDFI Direct Lending Program (CDLP) should download the application package and submit the completed application and supporting documentation to tsbci@gov.texas.gov.

CDFI Direct Lending Program (CDLP) Application

For more information about the federal SSBCI program, please visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s website. Additional guidance, forms and other resources related to Texas' TSBCI Programs will be posted to this webpage as details become available.