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About ATNI-EDC
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The ATNI
Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) is a private, non-profit, community development
fund that provides loans and technical support to Tribal and Native American-owned for-profit enterprises for the purpose of expansion, re-location, or
start-up.
Our Mission
is to help Native American-owned businesses to be successful, thereby strengthening
the economies of Indian communities. We do this by:
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Providing technical
assistance to Native American entrepreneurs in creating and operating
successful businesses
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Providing debt capital
(loans and subordinated loans) to Indian businesses.
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Providing bridge
financing between Indian businesses and commercial financial institutions.
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Partnering with banks
and other financial institutions in providing loans to Tribal Enterprises.
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Providing the educational
assistance and technical support to promote financial capacity building
within the Tribes.
The policy
of the RLF program is to complement, rather than replace, financing from commercial
lenders and other private and public financing programs. Our strategy is to
create a “bridge” between Native businesses who need financing and financial
institutions that want to make loans but for which Trust land, Sovereignty
and the Tribal court system present an obstacle. Our goal is to assist Tribes
in starting and growing successful businesses to bring much-needed
jobs and economic prosperity to distressed Indian communities.
ATNI research
in the early 1990s, funded in part by the Northwest Area Foundation (NWF),
identified the lack of access to credit and capital as a significant impediment
to economic development in Indian Country. Based on this assessment, ATNI
and its member Tribes created the ATNI Economic Development Corporation (EDC),
in part, to address this lack of business investment into Indian Country.
Quick Facts
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Loans are available
for Native entrepreneurs and tribes who wish to start, expand or improve
their business.
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Our maximum loan
amount is generally $125,000; in certain cases more is available.
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Loan interest rates
are fixed, and are generally slightly higher than bank rates.
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The term of our loans
ranges up to ten years.
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Collateral is required,
although our requirements are more flexible than those of a commercial
bank.
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Loan purpose can be for equipment, inventory, building purchase or improvement,
working capital and many other purposes.
Please call us to discuss your specific
business situation.
Certain restrictions
may apply.
Loan Options
Loans are available for Native entrepreneurs and tribes who wish to start,
expand or improve their business. Loan purpose can be for equipment,
inventory, building purchase or improvement, working capital and many other
purposes.
Direct Loans without participation
When a
banking partner cannot be found to participate in the financing of the
project, we may be able to lend the full amount required. The goal is
to fund the project now, and assist the business in becoming profitable,
ultimately earning creditability with financial institutions thereby facilitating
outside bank financing in the future.
Direct Loan with participation
Because
banks are conservative, they are often not willing to lend the
full amount required to complete the project. They may be willing to participate
at a lesser amount with ATNI-RLF lending the remaining amount required.
Subordinated Debt
When additional debt is needed but there is not enough collateral available,
the RLF may take a junior or subordinated position in the collateral,
allowing the bank to have the senior position and a greater margin of
safety.
Patient Debt
If the
project is unable to support the debt repayment at the time the loan is
made, it is sometimes possible to structure interest only payments in
the early years of the loan, with principal repayments beginning after
sufficient cash flow is available.
Loan Restrictions
We are limited by our funders in certain ways. Unfortunately, RLF Loan
funds may not be used for the following. Please call us to discuss your
situation.
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To pay off an existing loan, except under certain circumstances
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For investment or advance to an employee, officer, partner, or
stockholder of the firm or replenishing funds used for such
purposes
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To purchase or finance stock equity in private businesses
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To subsidize interest payments on existing loans
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To provide equity contribution required of borrowers participating
in other federal loan programs
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For speculative activities such as land banking and construction
of speculative buildings
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For relocation to a different commuting area
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For interim financing, except where permanent financing is in
place and no other interim financing available
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For payment of fees to real estate brokers, finder’s fees, fees
for packaging information or closing costs to the RLF operator
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For investment in high interest bearing accounts, certificates of
deposit, or any other investments not related to job creation,
other than loans to business enterprises
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For any projects, which do not comply with applicable federal and
state regulations in regards to civil rights, the environment, flood
protection insurance, and access to the handicapped
Business Plans
A business plan should include, at a minimum, information related to the areas
listed below:
a. Company Overview: Describe the nature of your business
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What is the purpose of the business? What product or service are you
selling?
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What is unique about your business? What are your company's strengths
and weaknesses?
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Who are the key managers? Describe their experience and qualifications.
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What is the legal structure of the business? Please include a copy of
the business license.
b. Business Operations: Describe how your business works
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How is the business organized operationally? How many employees are
there? What are their specific jobs? How much do you pay your employees?
Do you offer other benefits?
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Who are your attorneys, accountants or consultants that assist in
management?
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How do you manage your company financially? Do you use a manual or
computerized accounting system? Who is in charge of this? What areas
need improvement?
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How do you price your product or service? How much price flexibility
do you have?
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Do you extend payment terms to your customers?
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Who are your suppliers? Do they extend terms to you? Do you have alternative
suppliers?
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Where is your business located? How does this help or hurt your business?
Do you rent, lease, or own your business location? Are the facilities
adequate for your business needs?
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What specialized needs does your business have (i.e. special licenses,
equipment, permits)?
c. Business Environment: Describe your customers and competitors
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Who are your target customers? Where are they located?
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How large is the target market for your product or service? Is the
market growing, stable, or shrinking?
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What are your marketing and advertising strategies?
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What contracts or purchase orders do you currently have?
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Who are your competitors? What are your competitor's strengths and
weaknesses?
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Have any competitors failed recently? Why? What are your competitive
advantages?
Please note that these questions are only a guide to some of the topics you
may need to address. Not all of them will apply to all businesses, and just
answering this list of questions will not adequately describe every business.
For assistance in developing a business plan, you can contact
Mike Burton at ATNI-EDC.
Loan Application Information
Thank you for your interest in becoming an ATNI Revolving Loan Fund borrower.
ATNI RLF is a nonprofit community development loan fund dedicated to assisting
Native American owned and tribal enterprises in being successful.
What We Look For
Loan proposals submitted to ATNI RLF are evaluated based on many of the same
criteria that institutional lenders assess, including management capacity,
credit history, historical financial performance and projections, market factors,
collateral and owner-contribution. Nonetheless, as a privately funded non-profit,
ATNI RLF has some flexibility to decide whether the strengths of a business
proposal mitigate the inherent weaknesses that are keeping it from bank financing.
Term and Rate
We can lend up to $125,000 to any one borrower, and in certain circumstances
even more. Our loans have a fixed interest rate, are generally short term
(usually ranging from five to seven years), and require collateral. Rates
vary, depending on the term and risk associated with a particular loan. In
addition, a 2% loan fee is charged for all approved loans. ATNI RLF does not
charge an application fee.
Application Procedure
To apply for a loan from ATNI RLF, please contact
Mike Burton to discuss your
business proposal. If your request meets ATNI RLF’s lending criteria
or community benefit goals, you will be asked to submit a complete application
(download a Loan Application).
Assistance can be obtained in completing the application. Upon receipt
of a complete package, we will call you to discuss your business in more detail.
A subsequent visit to your business will then be scheduled. Assuming the loan
proposal package is complete, a decision on your proposal by ATNI RLF’s Loan
Committee can be expected within 2 to 3 weeks after the visit by the loan officer.
It is recognized that the information required is extensive, however it is
our goal to be able to say yes to each request in a timely manner. Providing
complete information will give your enterprise the best possible opportunity
to be approved in the shortest period of time. We also recognize that
this information is highly confidential. You can be assured that we make every
effort to keep your information private, and that it is not discussed outside
of this organization or with anyone that does not need to know to
make the decision.
Please contact Mike Burton if you have any questions. It is always better to
start the application process sooner, rather than later as unforeseen circumstances
can always arise which may delay the process. We look forward to receiving
your application!
Send all information to:
Mike Burton
ATNI-EDC Revolving Loan Fund
18230 Frost Rd.
Dallas, OR 97338
Phone: 503-917-0550
Fax: 503-623-4714
Email:
mike@atniedc.com
PLEASE NOTE: ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT,
OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER
WASHINGTON LAW. (RCW CHAPTER 19.36)
Other Services
ATNI-EDC can provide classes, workshops, seminars and conferences dealing
with all aspects of debt financing, and business in general. They can be focused
toward tribal council members, department heads, Tribal enterprise staff or
other Tribal entrepreneurs, and will be geared to the needs of the participants.
Training sessions can be implemented covering a wide range of topics such
as developing a business plan, tax-free bond financing, or marketing.
We can also assist your enterprise by providing an independent assessment
of your plans and ideas, or of outside reports such as appraisals or marketing
studies. We are a resource for obtaining a different perspective to aid you
in your operations or decision-making.
Business Plan Review
We can give you an independent opinion on feasibility, suggestions for improvement,
or assistance in creating a plan or updating an existing one. We can also
suggest other professionals that can further assist you with specific issues,
and provide an independent assessment of their reports.
Enterprise Assessment
An independent and unbiased eye is often useful in taking a look at overall
operations, staffing needs, customer perception, financing and accounting
issues and other aspects of your enterprise. If further expertise is needed,
we can assist you in determining which professionals will be most effective.
Industry Comparisons
ATNI-EDC can analyze your enterprise’s financial condition and performance
in relation to other companies in the same industry. These comparisons can
be very useful in identifying problems or areas of potential improvement.
Loan Package Assessment
We can examine your loan package for completeness and offer suggestions for
making the most effective presentation to lenders.
Loan Brokering
Use ATNI-EDC to help you find a commercial bank that meets your needs and
can be responsive. We know what they look for, and can save you time, effort
and frustration in finding a lender by doing much of the legwork. We can also
assist you in negotiating with banks over terms and conditions. This can be
done whether you borrow from us or not.
Deposit Brokering
We can find the best bank to meet your depository, payment and cash management
needs, and also suggest cost effective ways of structuring your account relationships
to maximize the return on your cash.
Bond Financing Assistance
We’re able to discuss how you can use bond financing, the general issues and
procedures, and help you determine if it’s feasible to proceed to the next
level. We can advise you on the steps required to take and what professional
services will be required.
Seminars
Business plan development, marketing, product development, customer service,
finance, accounting, information technology and energy efficiency are some
of the topics that can be presented. If you have a specific need, please call
us and we can probably arrange it for you.
One-on-One Technical Assistance
On-going contact will be maintained with loan recipients to assist them in
pursuit of their success with technical assistance as requested or required.
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