Next virtual cohort begins Oct 7!

The deadline to enroll is Oct 13.

Ready to start or expand your credit union small business lending program?

Inclusiv’s virtual, instructor-led Small Business Capital Initiative (SBCI) Training supports credit unions to establish and scale impactful business lending programs that expand their lending capacity and better serve their communities. 

Enrollment for our Fall 2026 cohort is open and orientation takes place on Wednesday, September 30. We will accept registrants until October 13.

This course is designed for each participating credit union to enroll a team of 2-3 staff members. Discounted pricing is available for team enrollment, please contact [email protected] for more information.

About This Course

Inclusiv’s Small Business Capital Initiative helps credit unions build and grow effective small business lending programs. Designed for lenders committed to serving their communities, the initiative expands access to safe, affordable capital for entrepreneurs while strengthening local economies. This course equips staff with the tools to position their credit union as a trusted partner and driver of small business growth.



 Gain New Skills 
In this training course, participants will:

  • Learn how CUs can use small business lending to help drive local economic growth. 
  • Identify key opportunities, stakeholders, and actors needed to implement or expand a CU’s small business lending program. 
  • Understand NCUA and SBA Express regulatory frameworks, and the details involved in the implementation of a full cycle of small business lending.  
  • Learn processes and requirements to work with third party loan processors and Inclusiv-selected CUSOs. 
  • Explore guarantee programs and Inclusiv credit enhancements as tools for risk management. 
  • Gain insight into how to integrate Inclusiv’s Loan Participation Marketplace as a buyer and seller
  • Identify the main components to manage small business lending portfolios. 
  • Apply the content of this program to create an Implementation Plan tailored to the needs of their financial institution. 


Additional Support:  

  • Personalized expert feedback via weekly office hours 
  • Access to 1:1 technical assistance on market analysis and community engagement, loan intake and processing, operations, risk management, secondary market, and working with a CUSO.  


Workload:   

  • 3-5 hours per week over seven weeks 
  • Program participants are required to attend Technical Assistance sessions with Inclusiv's Director of Small Business Development and Lending, Azra Samiee.
  • Program participants are required to create an implementation plan that serves as a roadmap for launching or growing small business lending products. This will serve as an internal communication document that students can use to present to their board and leadership. A template for this project will be provided.

Course Details & Eligibility

This is an at-your-own-pace course that features seven units of content, weekly virtual instructor office hours, one-on-one technical assistance, and a final capstone project workshop.

Who Should Register 
The SBCI training is best for credit unions that: 

  • Have a limited or no small business lending program  
  • Or have an existing small business lending program and want to strategically grow or diversify their portfolio.  
  • Can enroll two to three staff members across the following roles: CEO, Chief Lending Officer, Director of Lending, Community Development or Member Services, Loan Officers.  
  • For better outcomes, it’s desirable that each participating CU enroll at least one senior decision-maker with authority over lending strategy, policies, or resource allocation.  
  • Can commit 3-5 hours a week to classwork, assignments, and the development of an implementation plan for their credit union.

Instructor

Azra Samiee

Director of Small Business Lending and Development

Azra Samiee, Inclusiv’s Director of Small Business Lending and Development, supports implementing Inclusiv’s Business Forward program and drives loan participation and scaling small business lending throughout Inclusiv’s network. Azra has over 17 years of experience working in community-based organizations dedicated to addressing inequity through programs that increase accessibility and mobility for under-resourced communities. She began her career in the CDFI space at Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union and Grow Brooklyn, giving her deep insights into the power of engagement strategies in driving an organization’s mission forward. Prior to joining Inclusiv, Azra served as the Senior Director of the Small Business Program at Hot Bread Kitchen, where she led the development and implementation of multiple programs supporting entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses, collaborating closely with a network of CDFI partners including credit union. She also previously led Community and Member Engagement, driving strategic partnerships with community organizations and city agencies.

Alumni Testimonials

To date, over 50 credit unions have participated in this course. Here’s what some graduates have to say:

  • “For me, having no prior experience with small business, this course was very helpful, not only in building my knowledge, but also in creating a stronger internal connection with our commercial team. Thank you.”

  • “As this is a brand-new program for our credit union, this class has been incredibly eye-opening and valuable. The coursework, discussions, and insights shared by the instructors helped us tremendously in formulating our initial framework and shaping the direction of our small business program. The knowledge gained gave us a stronger understanding of how to structure the program in a way that aligns with both member needs and long-term sustainability. We sincerely appreciate the time, expertise, and support provided throughout the course and are excited to continue building upon what we have learned.”

Course Curriculum

    1. Technical Assistance Assignment

    2. Meet Your Instructor & Administrator

    3. Course Waiver

    4. Capstone Project Template & Guide: Implementation Plan

    5. Course Pre-Test

    6. Welcome to Inclusiv's Small Business Capital Initiative Training

    1. Small Business Capital Initiative Training

    2. Defining a Small Business

    3. How Do Small Businesses Shape Our Economy?

    4. Internal & External Stakeholders, Part 1: The Gloria Problem

    5. Internal & External Stakeholders, Part 2: The Gloria Problem

    6. Assignment: Reflecting on the Ecosystem

    7. Intro to Small Business Ecosystem

    8. Assignment: Small Business Profiles

    9. Assignment: Identify Key Stakeholders

    10. Toolbox: Pre-Work

    1. Who Are Our Borrowers? How Do We Work With Them?

    2. Theory of Change

    3. What Motivates Individuals to Become Entrepreneurs?

    4. The Local Multiplier Effect - Part 1

    5. The Local Multiplier Effect - Part 2

    6. Real World Application: The Local Multiplier Effect

    7. Baby Boomers & Gen X

    8. Gen Y & Gen Z

    9. Assignment: Identifying Small Business Owners/Borrowers

    10. Toolbox: Learning About The Borrower

    1. Small Business Lending, Regulatory Framework & Risk Management

    2. Quiz: Knowledge Check (SBA)

    3. Assignment: Small Business Lending Criteria

    1. Small Business Credit & Loan Intake

    2. 5 C's of Credit

    3. The Loan Lifecycle

    4. The Loan Lifecycle

    5. Site Visit Best Practices: Newark Walkthrough

    6. Loan Intake & Document Collection

    7. Credit Report Interpretations: Personal & Business

    8. Small Business Credit & Loan Intake

    9. Quiz: Credit and Business Formation

    10. Quiz: Credit, Loan Processes, and Small Business Scenario

    11. Toolbox: Loan Intake

    1. Business Document Overview - Part 1

    2. Business Document Overview - Part 2

    3. Personal Document Overview

    4. Inclusiv Loan Calculator Tool

    5. Inclusiv Loan Calculator - Part 1

    6. Inclusiv Loan Calculator - Part 2

    7. Inclusiv Loan Calculator - Part 3

Course Tuition

Inclusiv members receive a 40% discount on instructor-led courses. Members with assets under $100M receive additional discounts. For group discounts, reach out to [email protected]. Scholarships are available.

  • Non-member price

    $2,000

  • Inclusiv member price

    $1,200

  • Inclusiv members with <$100m in assets

    $800


Upcoming Cohorts

Small Business Capital Initiative - Sep 2026

Next cohort: September 30 - November 18, 2026

 View Cohort