What do lenders typically ask for?

Lenders typically ask for: established credit history, typically 2+ years in business, two years of personal and/or business tax returns, and recent business financial statements. Each lender sets its own underwriting standards and requirements vary by institution and loan type.

What can CPCFA LPP funds be used for?

Funds must support an eligible business purpose carried out in California. Common uses include: working capital (payroll, inventory, cash flow), equipment (machinery, vehicles, furniture), real estate (owner-occupied purchase or build), business expansion, franchise fees, and lines of credit. Some uses and business types are not eligible including gambling, cannabis, lobbying, and passive real estate.

How do I get started with CPCFA LPP?

The CPCFA LPP is available through participating California lenders. Steps include: 1) Check basic eligibility requirements, 2) Understand how the program works, 3) Prepare financial documents for lender conversation (business financial statements, tax returns, debt information, ownership details), and 4) Contact a participating lender. CCA and CPCFA do not make loans, set loan terms, or make credit decisions.

FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Increased access to capital. Competitive rates. Backed by California.

Q: What are the program requirements for CPCFA LPP?

CPCFA LPP requires: 1 to 750 employees, headquartered in California (51%+ of operations and staff in-state), registered and in good standing with the California Secretary of State, meets SBA size standards for your industry (NAICS code), loan between $100K and $20M used in California, and no conflict of interest with an officer or principal of the lending bank.

A federally funded SSBCI program that participates in your loan and may help lower your borrowing cost. Designed to expand access to capital — including for underserved California small businesses.

Loan size range

For established California small businesses

Borrowing cost

May help lower your rate

Program fees

No fees to borrower or lender

ELIGIBILITY

See if your business qualifies

Many California small businesses qualify. Here's what's required by the program — and what lenders typically ask for.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

What CPCFA LPP requires

1 to 750 employees

Headquartered in California (51%+ of operations and staff in-state)

Registered and in good standing with the California Secretary of State

Meets SBA size standards for your industry (NAICS code)

Loan between $100K and $20M, used in California

No conflict of interest with an officer or principal of the lending bank

WHAT LENDERS TYPICALLY ASK

What lenders typically ask

Established credit history

Typically 2+ years in business

Two years of personal and/or business tax returns

Recent business financial statements

Each lender sets its own underwriting standards. Requirements vary by institution and loan type.

ELIGIBLE USES OF FUNDS

What you can use the funds for

Funds must support an eligible business purpose carried out in California. Below are the most common uses CPCFA LPP loans cover.

Lines of credit

Flexible short-term capital.

Equipment

Machinery, vehicles, furniture.

Working capital

Payroll, inventory, cash flow.

Real estate

Owner-occupied purchase or build.

Franchise fees

Franchise startup or expansion costs.

Business Expansion

Scale up for larger projects.

PROCESS

How to get started

The CPCFA LPP is available through participating California lenders. CCA and CPCFA do not make loans, set loan terms, or make credit decisions. The steps below can help your business understand the program, prepare for a lender conversation, and connect with the right point of contact.

STEP

Check basic eligibility

Before contacting a participating lender, review the program's general eligibility guidelines. Your business should be located in California, meet applicable small business size standards, and be seeking financing of $100,000 or more for an eligible business purpose in California.

Businesses with smaller capital needs may find a better fit with other California SSBCI programs.

QUICK CHECK

Review eligibility

~ 3 minutes. Reviews program-side requirements, not lender underwriting.

STEP

Understand how the program works

The CPCFA LPP helps participating lenders extend more accessible financing to eligible California small businesses — including potentially lower rates, more flexible terms, or larger loan sizes. If a loan is approved by a participating lender, CPCFA can purchase a portion of the loan, advancing the SSBCI mission of expanding access to capital.

LEARN

Learn how the program works

A short overview of risk-sharing and how SSBCI participation increases access to capital.

STEP

Prepare for a lender conversation

Participating lenders will make their own loan decisions and may ask for business financial statements, tax returns, debt information, ownership details, use of proceeds, and a description of the loan request.

Helpful items to prepare may include:

Recent business tax returns

Year-to-date financial statements

Current debt schedule

Business plan or project summary

Requested loan amount and intended use of funds

Ownership and business registration information

PREPARE

Lenders may ask for additional documents based on industry and loan type. Gather these in advance to move faster through underwriting.

STEP

Contact a participating lender

Your business may contact a participating lender directly to discuss financing options. Each lender has its own review process, documentation requirements, and loan approval standards.

If you already work with a California-headquartered community depository bank or minority depository institution that isn't currently listed, they can enroll in the program to support your loan. Have them contact CCA at connect@teamcca.com to begin the enrollment conversation.

CONNECT

View participating lenders

Statewide consortium of California community lenders.

If the CPCFA LPP isn't the right fit

California offers other SSBCI-funded programs — smaller loans, loan guarantees, and free business advising.

View California SSBCI partner programs →

IMPORTANT

Contacting CCA or CPCFA does not constitute a loan application, loan approval, or commitment to provide financing. Loan decisions are made solely by participating financial institutions.