“The Philadelphia Business Builder program provides a pathway for small businesses with higher credit risks to obtain bank financing; typically these requests are denied because of the high risk of loan defaults.  Loans can be used for working capital, inventory, equipment purchase or capital improvements.

 “The goal of the Philadelphia Business Builder program is to address the gap between the readiness of borrowers to obtain bank loans and the willingness of banks to make loans to small businesses with lower credit scores,” said Sharmain Matlock-Turner, president, GPUAC. “I commend the five banks and our three community partners for their willingness to commit resources to small businesses and micro-enterprises which will help to promote economic development in underserved neighborhoods.”