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SBA Lending

Small Business Lending

With Small Business lenders right in your community, we’re focused on your success by helping you choose the best financing options for your needs – and getting it done fast.

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First Merchants Bank works with qualified small businesses to secure financing when they might not be eligible for business loans through conventional lending channels. We offer SBA loans to small business owners nationwide who are looking to make more of their business. Whether you’re looking to grow your business or want to become a referral source, our lenders are here to help.

We are a Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender, which demonstrates SBA’s recognition of our expertise and dedication to serving the small business community. Using our Preferred Lender status makes the loan process* faster and more efficient.

Customized SBA Financing Solutions:

We offer SBA 7(a) term loans, SBA Express term loans and lines of credit, and SBA 504 fixed asset financing. These products may be used together as well as paired with other Conventional financing options.


SBA Loan Program - 7a Graphic
SBA Loan Program - Express Graphic
SBA Loan Program - 504 Program Graphic


Helping You Prosper isn’t just our tagline. We live it and breathe it every day by delivering:


Business Experts

Our team has deep finance and business ownership experience. We enjoy talking business and know the questions to ask to ensure we can develop the best possible financing option.

A Custom Approach

We think about commercial finance differently and apply both innovation and creativity to our process. Nothing we do for our clients is formulaic. We leverage our deep understanding of our clients’ unique situations to develop custom lending solutions.

Unparalleled Service

We are committed to delivering the industry’s best client service experience. We love what we do, and we are a proactive, responsive, transparent partner. We also know how to have fun while we work.

What We Do

At First Merchants, we don’t conduct business with “borrowers.” We ensure we understand our clients’ goals, objectives, and obstacles. With that understanding in place, we work collectively as true partners to help our clients achieve success. This approach ensures our loan solutions make more possible.

Our Small Business Loans range from $500,000 to $5 Million, and are typically used for:

  • Commercial real estate acquisitions and/or improvements
  • Business acquisitions, expansions, and partner buy-outs
  • Machinery and equipment purchases
  • Franchise financing
  • Debt consolidation and refinance

How to get started

First Merchants Small Business Lending helps clients leverage capital to overcome limits to growth. Our approach centers on enhancing cash flow to help companies reach their short-term milestones and long-term aspirations.

Let’s Connect

We’d love to speak with you – no matter how early it may be in your planning process. Our team have business ownership and finance backgrounds. They routinely provide counsel to business owners at all stages of growth – even “imagination and wonder.” Get in touch and allow us to share how we can help you make more possible.

Once we’ve discussed your needs, evaluated your opportunities, and jointly confirmed we are a good fit to serve as your lending partner, we’ll work with you every step of the way.

To get started on your custom loan proposal, we will need:

  • A quick call, or get started here
  • Past 3 years of business tax returns
  • Year-to-date financial statements (P&L and Balance Sheet)
  • Business debt schedule
  • AR/AP aging report, if applicable
  • Past 3 years of personal tax returns
  • Personal Financial Statement
  • Any LOIs applicable to the project

Become a Referral Partner

At First Merchants, we strive to become a seamless, valuable extension of your team. Get in touch with a Business Development Officer, and let’s discuss how we can help you and your clients make more possible. Our referral partners include:

  • Commercial Real Estate Firms
  • Design / Build Contractors
  • Architect Firms
  • Commercial Loan Brokers
  • CPAs and Accounting Firms
  • Business Brokers
  • Money Managers
  • Attorneys

Resources

  • Securely Submit Documents
  • Become a Referrer
  • Approved Referrer Agent Agreement
  • Get the Loan Application Process Started
  • Loan Calculator
  • SBA 7(a) Commercial Business Loan for Large Cap Program
  • Approved Loan Application Packet
  • ACH Form for Electronic Payment
  • W-9
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