Business financing in Mercer County.
County-by-county financing guides. No paperwork. No social. No ID.
No institution is headquartered inside the Mercer County line, but 1 keep an office open here. They are below, by name and by town.
Not this lane? Home FinancingPersonal Financing
The doors in Mercer 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.
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- DOORS HERE
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- BASED HERE
- 34
- ND COUNTIES WITH DOORS
- Lane
- Business Financing
- People
- 8.3Kresidents of Mercer County
- Elsewhere in ND
- Cass County →6 doors — the biggest list of any other county in North Dakota
- State
- North Dakota →34 of 53 counties hold a door in this lane
Based elsewhere, with a member-facing office inside the Mercer County line. You can walk in.
- Capital Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Lake Agassiz Regional Development CorporationBusiness 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 (Jun 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 is for solo contractors, small business owners, and real-estate investors in Mercer County, North Dakota who want to understand their financing options. It focuses on local and regional lenders, CDFIs, credit unions, and SBA-connected intermediaries that actually serve this area. Federal programs are covered as background, but the real action happens at the local level. Take your time, compare options, and never feel pressured to sign anything right away.
What Is Small Business Financing?
Small business financing is money you borrow or receive to start, grow, or stabilize a business or investment property. It comes in several forms:
Term loans — You borrow a fixed amount and repay it with interest over a set period. Good for equipment, vehicles, or a one-time expansion.
Lines of credit — A revolving pool of money you draw from as needed, then repay. Useful for covering slow seasons or unexpected costs common to contractors in rural North Dakota.
SBA-backed loans — Loans made by a private lender but partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Because the federal guarantee reduces the lender's risk, you may qualify even without perfect credit or a large down payment.
Microloans — Small loans, usually under $50,000, often offered by nonprofit lenders called CDFIs (Community Development Financial Institutions). These are especially useful for newer businesses or those without established credit.
Real estate investor loans — Loans for purchasing, rehabilitating, or refinancing income-producing properties. These can be conventional, SBA 504, or CDFI-backed depending on the project.
None of these are one-size-fits-all. The right product depends on your business stage, your credit picture, and what you actually need the money for.
Who Qualifies in Mercer County?
Mercer County sits in west-central North Dakota, anchored by Beulah and Hazen.
The local economy is shaped by energy (coal and lignite mining, power generation), agriculture, and the trades.
Contractors who work in construction, electrical, plumbing, welding, or farm services are very common here — and most lenders who know this market understand that income can be seasonal or project-based.
You may qualify if you:
- Have operated your business or trade for at least one or two years (some microloan programs accept startups)
- Can show income through tax returns, bank statements, or contracts — even if it is irregular
- Have a business bank account or are willing to open one
- Have a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) — ITIN-friendly lenders do exist in North Dakota
- Are a sole proprietor, LLC, partnership, or corporation
Local economy factors lenders consider:
- Energy sector employment or contracting ties (many banks in this region understand royalty income and energy-related cash flow)
- Agricultural ties — equipment loans and seasonal operating lines are very familiar to lenders here
- Remote location — some lenders apply rural pricing or rural development criteria that can actually work in your favor
You do not need perfect credit. Many CDFIs and credit unions will work with credit scores in the 580–650 range, especially if you can explain your situation and show consistent deposits.
Get your papers in order.
Gathering your paperwork early makes the process much less stressful. Here is what most lenders in North Dakota will ask for:
For all applicants:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or consular ID)
- SSN or ITIN
- Two years of personal tax returns (Form 1040)
- Two to three months of personal bank statements
- Proof of address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement)
For your business:
- Two years of business tax returns (if you have been operating that long)
- Year-to-date profit and loss statement
- Three to six months of business bank statements
- Business license or registration with the North Dakota Secretary of State
- Any major contracts, leases, or purchase agreements related to your request
For SBA loans specifically:
- SBA borrower information form (Form 1919)
- Personal financial statement (SBA Form 413)
- A brief business plan or use-of-funds narrative (your local SBDC can help you write this for free)
For real estate investors:
- Property address and purchase price or appraisal
- Rent rolls if the property is already occupied
- Rehab estimates if you plan to renovate
Tip: CDFIs and credit unions are often more flexible about document formats than large national banks. If you are self-employed and your income does not show up cleanly on a W-2, talk to a CDFI first.
The doors worth knowing.
These are the institutions and programs with a real presence in or near Mercer County.
ALL 1 DOORS, BY NAME AND BY TOWN- 1
- DOORS HERE
- 16
- ACROSS ND
Based in Bismarck, North Dakota. 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 the patterns to watch for, especially in rural markets where mainstream options can feel limited.
Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs)
MCAs are not loans — they are purchases of your future revenue. They often carry effective APRs of 60–300% or more. They are marketed aggressively to small contractors and business owners, especially online. The daily or weekly repayment structure can drain your cash flow before you realize what is happening. Avoid them unless you fully understand the cost and have exhausted real loan options.
Unsolicited 'Pre-Approval' Offers
If you receive a mailer, email, or phone call saying you are pre-approved for a business loan — especially one requiring fees upfront — treat it with skepticism. Legitimate lenders do not guarantee approval before reviewing your documents.
Upfront Fee Scams
No reputable lender charges a large fee before delivering loan funds. Application fees and appraisal costs are normal and modest. A demand for hundreds or thousands of dollars before you receive money is a red flag.
Deed-in-Escrow and Equity Stripping
For real estate investors, watch for deals where a lender or 'investor' asks you to sign over a deed or give them an ownership interest as collateral for an informal loan. This is often the first step in equity stripping, which can cost you your property.
Pressure and Urgency
Any lender who tells you the offer expires today or that you must sign now is using a sales tactic. Legitimate financing does not evaporate overnight. Take the time to read every document, ask questions, and if possible, have a trusted advisor review the terms.
Online-Only Lenders with No Physical Presence
Online lenders are not automatically bad, but if a lender has no verifiable address, no Better Business Bureau record, and no state licensing information, do not proceed. Check the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions (nd.gov/dfi) to verify that any lender is registered to do business in the state.
The rules where you are.
Understanding a few North Dakota-specific rules helps you know your rights and avoid surprises.
Bank of North Dakota (BND)
North Dakota is the only state with a publicly owned state bank. The Bank of North Dakota does not lend directly to most small businesses, but it partners with local banks and CDFIs to provide loan participation, guarantees, and low-cost capital. Many of the local loans you get through a community bank may be partially funded by BND behind the scenes — which is one reason North Dakota community banks can offer competitive rates.
Pace Program (BND)
BND's PACE (Partnership in Assisting Community Expansion) program offers interest rate buydowns on business loans made by local banks. If you get a loan from a community bank in Mercer County, ask them whether a PACE buydown is available — it can meaningfully lower your interest rate.
Ag PACE
For agricultural businesses or those tied to the farm economy, BND's Ag PACE program provides similar rate buydowns on agricultural loans. Contractors who service farms or ranches may qualify depending on loan purpose.
ND Renaissance Zone Program
If your business is located in a designated Renaissance Zone (many small North Dakota towns participate), you may qualify for state income tax exemptions and property tax credits. Check with the North Dakota Department of Commerce or your city's economic development office to see if Beulah or Hazen has an active zone.
Licensing for Contractors
North Dakota requires contractors to be licensed through the Secretary of State and, depending on trade, through specific licensing boards (electrical, plumbing, HVAC). Lenders will typically check that your license is current before approving a business loan. Make sure your license is active and in good standing before you apply.
Interest Rate and Fee Transparency
North Dakota follows federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) rules requiring lenders to disclose APR, fees, and total loan cost before you sign. Always ask for the full fee schedule — origination fees, prepayment penalties, and annual fees all affect your true cost.
The short version.
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If you are a contractor, small business owner, or real estate investor in Mercer County, North Dakota, here is what you need to know:
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Start local. Dacotah Bank in Beulah and Hazen, First International Bank & Trust, and Capital Credit Union are your first stops for conventional loans. They know the energy and agricultural economy here.
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Use free help. The ND SBDC at Bismarck State College will help you prepare your application, write a business plan, and understand your options — for free. Use them before you walk into any lender.
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If the bank says no, try a CDFI. Dakota Business Lending and the North Dakota Development Fund exist specifically to serve businesses that do not fit the conventional mold. They work with newer businesses, lower credit scores, and non-traditional income.
Same county, another question.
Home FinancingPurchase, renovation, HELOC, and bridge loans for homeowners and investorsSEE IT IN MERCER COUNTY →
Personal FinancingPersonal loans, credit building, and ITIN-friendly financing optionsSEE IT IN MERCER COUNTY →34ND COUNTIES WITH DOORSThe whole stateEvery county in North Dakota, in this same lane.16 institutions fund small businesses inside North Dakota 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.