Business financing in Delaware County.
County-by-county financing guides. No paperwork. No social. No ID.
3 institutions are headquartered inside the Delaware County line, and 3 more keep a branch here. Below, we say which is which.
Not this lane? Home FinancingPersonal Financing
The doors in Delaware 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.
- 6
- DOORS HERE
- 3
- BASED HERE
- 53
- PA COUNTIES WITH DOORS
- Lane
- Business Financing
- People
- 577Kresidents of Delaware County
- Elsewhere in PA
- Philadelphia County →38 doors — the biggest list of any other county in Pennsylvania
- State
- Pennsylvania →53 of 67 counties hold a door in this lane
- Franklin Mint Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Forge Credit UnionPersonal · Home
- Upper Darby Belltelco Credit UnionPersonal · Home
Based elsewhere, with a member-facing office inside the Delaware County line. You can walk in.
- American Heritage Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Sun Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Trumark Financial 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 (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 helps solo contractors and small business owners in Delaware County, Pennsylvania understand their financing options — from local CDFIs and credit unions to SBA-backed loans and state programs. We focus on the lenders and intermediaries that actually serve this county, including options for ITIN holders and immigrant entrepreneurs. Origen Capital is a directory, not a lender — we help you find the right door to knock on. Take your time, compare your options, and never feel pressured to sign anything quickly.
What Is Small Business Financing?
Small business financing is money you borrow or receive to start, run, or grow a business. It can come in many forms — a term loan with fixed monthly payments, a line of credit you draw from as needed, a microloan for smaller amounts, or a grant you never have to repay. Some financing is secured (meaning the lender holds collateral, like equipment or real estate) and some is unsecured (based mostly on your credit and cash flow).
For solo contractors — plumbers, electricians, landscapers, cleaners, and others — financing might mean buying a work van, purchasing tools, covering a slow season, or hiring a first employee.
For small real estate investors, it might mean a fix-and-flip loan or a small rental property mortgage.
Understanding what type of financing fits your need is the first and most important step.
Forget what the banks say.
Delaware County — often called 'Delco' — sits just southwest of Philadelphia and includes cities and townships like Chester, Upper Darby, Haverford, Media, Folcroft, Sharon Hill, and Darby. The county has a large and growing population of immigrant entrepreneurs, many of whom run construction trades businesses, food service operations, cleaning services, and retail shops.
Qualification varies by lender and program, but here is a general picture:
- Credit score: Traditional banks often want 680 or higher. Community lenders and CDFIs may work with scores as low as 580 — or evaluate your application holistically.
- Time in business: Many programs require 6–24 months of operating history, but startup loans do exist.
- Revenue: Some programs have minimum annual revenue thresholds (often $50,000–$100,000), while microloans may have no minimum.
- Immigration status: Several local lenders accept an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of a Social Security Number. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for many small business loans in this county.
- Industry: Most industries qualify, including construction trades, food businesses, childcare, and real estate services. Some lenders exclude certain high-risk industries.
Delaware County's economy includes significant manufacturing history (especially in Chester), a growing healthcare sector, and a strong base of small service businesses. Local lenders understand these industries and often have programs tailored to them.
Get your papers in order.
Gathering your paperwork before you apply saves time and makes you look prepared to lenders. Every lender is different, but here is what most will ask for:
For all applicants:
- Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or consular ID)
- ITIN or Social Security Number
- Last 2 years of personal tax returns (or transcripts)
- Last 2 years of business tax returns (if your business has been open that long)
- Last 3–6 months of business bank statements
- Proof of business registration (LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation documents from Pennsylvania)
- Business license, if your trade requires one
For newer businesses or startups:
- A simple business plan (one to three pages is fine for most CDFI and microloan applications)
- Projected income and expense statement for the next 12 months
- Description of how you will use the loan funds
For real estate investors:
- Property address and purchase contract
- Appraisal or estimated value
- Proof of any existing rental income
Tip: Many CDFIs and community lenders in Delaware County will help you prepare these documents — you do not have to figure it all out alone before reaching out.
The doors worth knowing.
These are real organizations with a demonstrated presence serving Delaware County and the surrounding Philadelphia region.
ALL 6 DOORS, BY NAME AND BY TOWN- 6
- DOORS HERE
- 83
- ACROSS PA
Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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.Based in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. A member-owned credit union, which means the people deciding on your file answer to depositors in the same towns you work in.
BEST FORBuying, repairing or refinancing a home, and working capital, equipment and payroll for a small business.Based in Maumee, Ohio. 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 Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. 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 interests in mind. Here are the warning signs to watch for in Delaware County and across Pennsylvania:
Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs)
An MCA is not a loan — it is a purchase of your future sales. The provider takes a fixed daily or weekly amount from your bank account. Effective annual interest rates are often 60%–300%. MCAs are marketed heavily to small business owners, especially in Spanish. Be very cautious. If a lender talks about a 'factor rate' instead of an interest rate, ask what the APR is.
High-Pressure Tactics
Legitimate lenders do not pressure you to sign today. If someone tells you this offer expires in 24 hours or that you must decide right now, walk away. You have time.
Upfront Fees
Reputable lenders rarely charge large upfront fees before approving a loan. Application fees are normal and modest (often $0–$100). If someone asks for hundreds or thousands of dollars before doing anything, that is a red flag.
'Guaranteed Approval' Promises
No legitimate lender guarantees approval before reviewing your documents. These promises are almost always scams or bait-and-switch tactics.
Loan Stacking
Taking multiple small loans from multiple lenders at the same time can trap you in a cycle of debt. Each lender should know about your existing obligations.
Signing Over Business Assets Without Understanding the Terms
Some lenders include a 'Confession of Judgment' clause (though Pennsylvania restricts these in consumer loans, they can appear in business loan documents). This allows the lender to seize assets without going to court first. Read every document carefully, and consider having a lawyer or SCORE mentor review it.
Who Can Help You Review a Contract?
SCORE Philadelphia offers free mentoring. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (clsphila.org) can help with legal questions. Many CDFIs also have staff who can review loan documents with you at no cost.
Everything below is set by Pennsylvania, and it reads the same in every county in it. The 6 marks above are this county's own doors — who opens one is decided by them, not by the state.
The rules where you are.
Pennsylvania has its own set of rules and programs that affect small business borrowers. Here is what Delaware County business owners should know:
Business Registration
All businesses operating in Pennsylvania must register with the Pennsylvania Department of State. A sole proprietorship using your own name may not need to file, but an LLC, corporation, or business using a trade name (a 'DBA') must register. Registration costs are low — often $70–$125. dos.pa.gov
Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop
The state runs an online portal at business.pa.gov that walks you through licensing, registration, taxes, and permits based on your industry and county.
Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ)
Delaware County has had designated KOZ and Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone areas — particularly around the Chester waterfront and other economically distressed corridors. Businesses that locate in these zones can receive significant state and local tax exemptions. Ask the Delaware County Commerce Center if your address qualifies.
Pennsylvania Small Business First Fund
Administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA), this fund offers low-interest loans for small manufacturers, industrial businesses, and agricultural producers. Amounts range from $100,000 to $2 million. dced.pa.gov
Minority Business Development Authority (MBDA) — Pennsylvania
MBDA Business Centers serve minority-owned businesses with access to capital, contracts, and markets. The nearest center covering Delaware County is the MBDA Business Center in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania Licensing
Construction contractors (including plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians) working in Pennsylvania must hold appropriate state and local licenses. Lenders may require proof of current licensing before approving trade-related loans.
No Usury Cap on Business Loans
Pennsylvania does not cap interest rates on most commercial (business) loans. This means some lenders — especially online lenders and merchant cash advance providers — can charge very high rates legally. This makes it especially important to read contracts carefully and work with a trusted advisor.
The short version.
- 01
If you run a small business or work as a solo contractor in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, you have real financing options — and you do not have to navigate them alone.
- 02
Start close to home. Reach out to the Delaware County Commerce Center to understand local incentives. Contact a CDFI like Entrepreneur Works, Community First Fund, or Accion Opportunity Fund if you have been turned down by a bank or if you use an ITIN. Check with your local credit union, which often offers better rates and more flexibility than large national banks.
- 03
The SBA Philadelphia District Office oversees loan programs that work through local lenders — not the SBA itself — so ask any community lender whether they are an SBA-approved partner.
- 04
Gather your documents gradually — you do not have to have everything perfect before making your first call. Most CDFIs and nonprofit lenders are set up to help you prepare.
Same county, another question.
Home FinancingPurchase, renovation, HELOC, and bridge loans for homeowners and investorsSEE IT IN DELAWARE COUNTY →
Personal FinancingPersonal loans, credit building, and ITIN-friendly financing optionsSEE IT IN DELAWARE COUNTY →53PA COUNTIES WITH DOORSThe whole stateEvery county in Pennsylvania, in this same lane.83 institutions fund small businesses inside Pennsylvania 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.