The Native American Collateral Support Program addresses the lack of access to capital for Native American-owned businesses. This program was developed from the feedback of a diverse set of stakeholders that prioritized the development of a financial product and pathway for Native businesses to access financing and capitalize the launch and growth of their businesses.
NACS addresses access to capital issues by providing collateral support security for lenders who make loans to Native American-owned businesses. These businesses lack only sufficient collateral/equity for a business loan, according to their loan risk profiles. All other aspects of the credit analysis should be satisfactory including cash flow, climate, character and credit-worthiness.
NACS works with participating lenders to reinforce commercial and agricultural loans by providing a portion of the required collateral in the form of a certificate of deposit that can be held by the bank for five years. As the borrower's equity grows and loan payments are made, funds are released back to Commerce.
The current cash balance is $61,235.07 as of Feb. 13, 2026.
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BORROWER ELIGIBILITY
- An eligible borrower is a Native American-owned business that is a recognized entity under Montana or Tribal law and is registered with the Montana Secretary of State or under respective Tribal ordinances.
- Borrower has a gap in collateral for a bank loan.
- The business needs to apply and be accepted for a business loan at a bank and talk to the lender about NACS. The Lender will contact the Office of Indian Country Economic Development to discuss borrower eligibility.
- If eligible, the borrowers shall complete a Native American Business Owner Certification Form and submit it with their application.
- Ineligible borrowers are:
- Board members, loan committee members, officers or employees of participating lenders
- Entities owned more than 20% or controlled by board members, loan committee members, officers or employees of participating lenders or immediate family (parents, siblings, children, spouses or equivalent) of board members, loan committee members, officers or employees of participating lenders
- Borrowers who have had a past Commerce loan balance written off
CURRENT PARTICIPATING LENDERS
HOW TO BECOME A PARTICIPATING LENDER
- Eligible lenders are any bank, community development financial institution, Tribal revolving loan institution, certified regional development corporation, micro-business development corporation, credit union or local development corporation authorized to conduct business in the State of Montana.
- Request to execute a Lender Participation Agreement with Commerce.
- Familiarize yourself with the Native American Collateral Support Program process by reading the Lender Checklist.
There is no origination fee to lenders to access these funds from Commerce.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Participating Lenders may submit a CSA on an open-cycle basis as funds are available. Applications must be submitted online through the State of Montana Grant and Loan Portal – ServiceNow, located at: Funding Opportunity Details - MT Grants + Loans.
Users will be required to create an Okta profile, which requires a valid email account. Okta is located at: https://okta.loginmt.com.
The Program will make an initial determination of a ‘fully and properly completed’ CSA and notify the Lender of this determination. If additional information is needed to complete the CSA, the Program will notify the Lender of the missing items. It is the responsibility of the Lender to obtain and submit the requested information to the Program.