Business financing in Washtenaw County.
County-by-county financing guides. No paperwork. No social. No ID.
1 institutions are headquartered inside the Washtenaw County line, Ann Arbor included, and 10 more keep a branch here. Below, we say which is which.
Not this lane? Home FinancingPersonal Financing
The doors in Washtenaw County.
The CDFIs, credit unions, and microlenders that actually say yes — county by county, in two languages. We are not a lender. Nobody paid to be listed. And where a county has no good doors, we say so.
- 11
- DOORS HERE
- 1
- BASED HERE
- 76
- MI COUNTIES WITH DOORS
- Lane
- Business Financing
- People
- 372Kresidents of Washtenaw County
- Covers
- Ann Arbor
- Elsewhere in MI
- Wayne County →43 doors — the biggest list of any other county in Michigan
- State
- Michigan →76 of 83 counties hold a door in this lane
Certified by the U.S. Treasury to lend where a bank will not. Nonprofit, patient, and used to a file that is not clean.
American 1 Credit Union · Michigan First Credit UnionOwned by their members, not by shareholders. They look at your whole story rather than a score, and that is the difference when a bank says no.
American 1 Credit Union · Communityamerica Credit Union- University of Michigan Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
Based elsewhere, with a member-facing office inside the Washtenaw County line. You can walk in.
- American 1 Credit UnionCDFI-certifiedPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Communityamerica Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Credit Union OnePersonal · Home · Business capital
- Dfcu Financial Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Lake Michigan Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- IN THIS LIST
2 of the 11 doors inside the county line are CDFI-certified.
The U.S. Treasury certifies them to lend to the people banks pass over. It is a loan, not a favour.
- Lake Trust Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
Show the other 4Show fewer
- Michigan First Credit UnionCDFI-certifiedPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Parda Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- People Driven Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- True Community Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Accion Opportunity FundAccepts ITIN
Nonprofit small-business lender. Accepts ITIN in place of SSN. Serves most states, in English and Spanish.
Business capital - Grameen AmericaAccepts ITIN
Microloans for women entrepreneurs. Requires photo ID and proof of address — no SSN requirement. Branches in major metro areas.
Business capital - Mission Asset FundAccepts ITIN
Zero-interest lending circles and credit building. SSN or ITIN accepted. Works through nonprofit partners across the country.
Personal
How to read this list.
We do not ask for your name, your email, or your number. Nothing on this page changes based on who you are.
A door is headquartered here when its head office sits inside the county line. The rest are based elsewhere and keep a branch you can walk into. We list both, and we label which is which.
Every institution on this page comes from public federal data — the CDFI Fund certified list (Aug 2026), NCUA credit union data (Mar 2026), and the SBA microloan intermediary list (Sep 2026) — plus a short national tier we verified by hand. We refresh each list as its agency publishes. No listing is paid.
This guide helps solo contractors, small business owners, and real estate investors in Washtenaw County, Michigan understand their financing options. It focuses on local lenders, CDFIs, and community resources that actually serve this region — not just national programs. Whether you have a Social Security Number or an ITIN, there are real paths forward. Take your time, compare your options, and work with people who know your community.
It's a process, not a rejection.
Business financing is money you borrow or receive to start, run, or grow a business.
It can come as a loan you repay over time, a line of credit you draw from as needed, or a grant you do not repay at all.
In Washtenaw County, financing options range from small microloans under $10,000 — ideal for solo contractors buying tools or covering a slow month — to larger SBA-backed loans for established businesses looking to expand or purchase real estate.
The key idea in Washtenaw County is the local intermediary layer. Instead of going directly to a national bank, many small business owners here are better served by a local CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution), a credit union, or a nonprofit lending program. These organizations understand the regional economy — from Ann Arbor's tech and university ecosystem to the agricultural businesses in the county's rural townships — and they often work with borrowers who wouldn't qualify at a traditional bank.
Forget what the banks say.
Qualification requirements vary by lender and program, but here is what matters most in the local context:
Solo contractors and tradespeople: If you work in construction, landscaping, cleaning, or another trade — with or without employees — you likely qualify for microloans or small business loans. A business license, proof of income, and a few months of bank statements are often enough to start.
Small real estate investors: Washtenaw County has a strong rental market driven by the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University student populations, as well as young professionals in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Small landlords with one to four units often qualify for community development loans, especially if the property is in a lower-income census tract.
Immigrant entrepreneurs and ITIN holders: Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti have growing immigrant business communities. Several local lenders and CDFIs in this county accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in place of a Social Security Number. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply for many of these programs.
Startups and early-stage businesses: The University of Michigan's presence creates a strong startup culture, and some programs specifically target businesses less than two years old. Revenue requirements are often flexible at the CDFI level.
Credit history: Don't let imperfect credit stop you from asking. Many local CDFIs use alternative underwriting — looking at cash flow, character, and business potential, not just your credit score.
Get your papers in order.
Every lender is different, but gathering these documents before you apply will save you time at nearly every institution in Washtenaw County:
- 01**Government-issued ID** (driver's license, passport, or consular ID)
- 02**SSN or ITIN**
Either is accepted by most community lenders here
- 03**Business license or DBA registration** (filed with Washtenaw County Clerk or the State of Michigan)
- 04**Last 2
3 years of personal tax returns** (or 1 year if the business is newer)
- 05**Business tax returns** (if you have them — not required for all programs)
- 06**3
6 months of bank statements** (personal and/or business)
- 07**Profit and loss statement**
Even a simple one you create yourself is a good start
- 08**Business plan or one-page description** of what you do and how the funds will be used
- 09**Proof of address** in Washtenaw County (utility bill, lease, etc.)
- 10**Accounts receivable or contracts** if you are a contractor — showing future income strengthens your application
- MISSING ONE?Ask Iris which one you're missing.ASK A QUESTION ↓
The doors worth knowing.
These are organizations with an actual presence or lending history in Washtenaw County.
ALL 11 DOORS, BY NAME AND BY TOWN- 11
- DOORS HERE
- 119
- ACROSS MI
Based in Jackson, Michigan. A credit union — owned by its members rather than by shareholders, which is exactly what changes the conversation after a bank has said no. It is CDFI-certified.
BEST FORA personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing, and buying, repairing or refinancing a home.Based in Lathrup Village, Michigan. A member-owned credit union, which means the people deciding on your file answer to depositors in the same towns you work in. It is CDFI-certified.
BEST FORBuying, repairing or refinancing a home, and working capital, equipment and payroll for a small business.Based in Lenexa, Kansas. A credit union: no shareholders to satisfy, and a habit of reading a whole story rather than a single score.
BEST FORWorking capital, equipment and payroll for a small business, and a personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing.Based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. A credit union — owned by its members rather than by shareholders, which is exactly what changes the conversation after a bank has said no.
BEST FORA personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing, and buying, repairing or refinancing a home.
Don't fall into these traps.
Not every lender has your best interest in mind. Here are specific patterns to watch for in Washtenaw County and throughout Michigan:
These are not loans — they are advances on your future sales, often carrying effective APRs of 40–150% or higher. They are common online and sometimes marketed aggressively to contractors and small restaurant owners. Avoid them if you have any community lending option available.
Some online lenders include a clause that lets them seize your assets without a court hearing if you miss a payment. Michigan has some consumer protections, but commercial borrowers have fewer. Read every contract.
A legitimate lender does not ask you to pay significant fees before your loan is approved or funded. If someone asks for $300–$500 upfront to "process" or "secure" your loan, walk away.
Any lender who tells you that you must sign today or the offer disappears is using a pressure tactic. Legitimate programs do not expire in 24 hours. Take your time.
This almost always means the product is a high-cost MCA or a lease disguised as a loan. Real underwriting — even the flexible kind at CDFIs — involves reviewing your situation.
Some brokers encourage small businesses to take multiple loans from multiple lenders simultaneously. This can quickly become unmanageable. Borrow only what you need and only from one source at a time unless you have professional guidance.
SCORE Ann Arbor and the Michigan SBDC offer free, confidential advising. Use them before you sign anything you are unsure about.
Everything below is set by Michigan, and it reads the same in every county in it. The 11 marks above are this county's own doors — who opens one is decided by them, not by the state.
The rules where you are.
Understanding the rules of the road in Michigan will help you avoid surprises:
Michigan requires most businesses to register with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). A sole proprietor using a name other than their own legal name must file a DBA (Assumed Name) with both LARA and the Washtenaw County Clerk. Filing fees are modest — typically under $25.
Michigan does not have a single maximum interest rate for all commercial loans, which means some lenders — especially online lenders and merchant cash advance companies — can charge very high rates. Always ask for the APR (Annual Percentage Rate) in writing before signing anything.
Michigan periodically offers state-level relief and grant programs through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). These programs open and close; check medc.michigan.org for current availability.
In Michigan, business personal property (equipment, furniture, etc.) may be subject to local personal property taxes. Washtenaw County has an exemption available for small businesses — ask your local assessor about the Small Business Taxpayer Exemption.
Solo contractors in Michigan must hold appropriate state licenses (e.g., contractor, electrician, plumber). Lenders may ask for proof of licensure. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) handles these.
The short version.
- 01
If you run a small business or work as a solo contractor in Washtenaw County, you have real financing options — and you do not need perfect credit or a Social Security Number to explore them.
- 02
Start with the people who know your community: the Michigan SBDC's Southeast Michigan office and SCORE Ann Arbor both offer free business advising and can help you get loan-ready. From there, local CDFIs like the Opportunity Resource Fund and the Detroit Development Fund offer loans to businesses that banks might turn away. Credit unions like University of Michigan Credit Union are open to county residents — not just university employees — and often have friendlier terms than big banks.
- 03
If you are an immigrant entrepreneur or ITIN holder, you are not excluded. Several CDFIs in this network explicitly serve ITIN borrowers, and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center in Ann Arbor can help you navigate your options.
- 04
Always ask for the APR in writing. Never pay upfront fees to receive a loan. And never let urgency push you into signing something you haven't read. Washtenaw County has strong community resources — use them. There is no rush, and there is help available at every step.
Same county, another question.
Home FinancingPurchase, renovation, HELOC, and bridge loans for homeowners and investorsSEE IT IN WASHTENAW COUNTY →
Personal FinancingPersonal loans, credit building, and ITIN-friendly financing optionsSEE IT IN WASHTENAW COUNTY →76MI COUNTIES WITH DOORSThe whole stateEvery county in Michigan, in this same lane.119 institutions fund small businesses inside Michigan county lines.OPEN THE STATE →Still don't see your situation?
Ask Iris. She'll explain it the way it should have been explained the first time.