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Lift Local Business Program

Huntington National Bank (Winner) - Columbus, OH

2023 Community Committment Awards Submission

  • Entry Category: Economic Inclusion
  • Asset Size: Large

Recognizing the barriers to banking for some small businesses, Huntington National Bank has committed to supporting minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses through Lift Local Business, a SBA 7(a) loan program that provides access to capital to historically under-resourced small business owners and communities.

Lift Local Business supports small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the business life cycle — from start-up to expansion. The program offers loans, business planning support, free entrepreneurial training delivered through Operation HOPE, and other services to help small business owners achieve their goals.

To be eligible for Huntington's Lift Local Business program, the small business must be owned by individuals identifying as women, veteran, or a minority, or the business address must be within a low-to-moderate or majority minority census tract.

Lift Local Business loan features include:

  • Loan amounts from $1,000 to $150,000
  • Lower business credit score requirements
  • Longer repayment terms
  • Fee Free Business Unlimited Checking account
  • No fees
  • Access to free entrepreneurial training ($1,500 value) powered by Operation HOPE

Since the program launched in October 2020, Huntington has booked more than $70 million in loans, helping over 1,000 minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses. Over 1,000 entrepreneurs are actively using the Operation HOPE Entrepreneurial Training Program.