
This guide helps solo contractors, small real-estate investors, and everyday residents in Richland County, South Carolina understand their personal financing options. It covers who qualifies, what documents to gather, and which local lenders — including CDFIs, credit unions, and ITIN-friendly institutions — actually serve this area. It also points out common traps to avoid so you can borrow with confidence and on your own timeline.
Every institution below comes from public federal data — the CDFI Fund certified list (Jan 2026), NCUA credit union data (Mar 2026), and the SBA microloan intermediary list — plus a short national tier we verified by hand. No listing is paid.
Zero-interest lending circles and credit building. SSN or ITIN accepted. Works through nonprofit partners across the country.
Nonprofit small-business lender. Accepts ITIN in place of SSN. Serves most states, in English and Spanish.
Microloans for women entrepreneurs. Requires photo ID and proof of address — no SSN requirement. Branches in major metro areas.
Ask Iris. She'll explain it the way it should have been explained the first time.