Small Business

City First Bank has helped thousands of businesses just like yours access small business loans every day.  It is our mission to help make financing more accessible for start up and small companies. We specialize in working with companies that have limited financial strength and need a bank to work with them, as a partner, to arrange financing and to grow with them as their business grows.

A significant part of our community development strategy is to finance small retail and commercial businesses. Our focus is on companies generating less than $10 million per year in revenues. City First Bank offers a full range of products for your small company:

• Lines of credit for working capital purposes
• Term loans for inventory or equipment
• Real estate loans for leasehold improvements
• Commercial mortgages to purchase, construct or renovate real estate

City First offers a means for your small business to access reasonable financing with more favorable terms, including guarantees through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) lending programs.  More small businesses get financing from SBA Loans than any other source of capital in the United States.

How does the SBA Loan process work?
We make the process as simple as possible, providing applicants with an SBA Loan Kit.
City First then analyzes the application against the following factors to determine eligibility:

• management experience;
• experience in the industry in which the business operates;
• credit worthiness;
• investment in the business;
• ability to repay the loan based on the business’ projected cash flow and profits.

We can even determine if you are “pre-qualified” for an SBA Loan in just five business days.
SBA Loans, for up to $3 million, boast competitive interest rates and help businesses finance everything from:

• the purchase of commercial real estate;
• to construction and renovation;
• to the acquisition of furniture, fixtures or machinery

SBA Loans are generally divided into two categories:

• 7(a) General Loan Program – The 7(a) General Loan Program is the most common type of SBA financing available. Proceeds from a 7(a) loan can be used for almost any business need including: the purchase of commercial real estate; construction, renovation or leasehold improvements; acquisition of furniture, fixtures, machinery or equipment; inventory purchase; and working capital.
• SBA 504 Loan Program – The SBA 504 Loan Program is geared toward businesses requiring long-term, fixed-rate financing to purchase major fixed assets including: land; buildings; machinery; and equipment. The benefits of the 504 Loan Program include lower required equity, longer repayment periods, and lower effective interest rates.

Financing Ideas and Building Businesses. One Opportunity at a Time