Business Banking Pathway Program 2023
As of January 1, 2024, all client programs have closed as part of our pivot away from client services in the Pacific Northwest. You can now explore a list of active local providers here.
Program Overview
Mercy Corps Northwest has partnered with The City of Vancouver to launch the Business Banking Pathway program. The program is a three-month matched-savings small business grant program for prospective or existing small businesses located in the city limits of Vancouver, WA.
The program requires applicants to save a total of $375 over three months. After the three months are complete, Mercy Corps Northwest will match the savings with a $750 grant. The combined total of savings and grant money will leave each participant with $1,125.
As part of the program, clients will establish and open a business banking account – even if they have been previously “blacklisted” by Chexsystems and cannot open an account on their own.
After the savings goal has been reached, each client is eligible for an expedited loan application of $1,000 to $2,500, even if previously ineligible. We will also waive the client’s credit and collateral requirements.
Step 1: See if you qualify
In order to be eligible for the program you must meet all of the following three requirements:
- Businesses or prospective businesses located within the City limits of Vancouver, Washington
- An owner or soon-to-be owner of a for-profit microenterprise with five or fewer employees. (Note: The number of employees includes owner(s), and both part-time and full-time employees.)
- Please note that the following types of businesses are not eligible for the program: Adult entertainment; Gaming; Liquor stores; Tobacco stores; Passive real estate investments; Multi-level marketing businesses; Non-profit organizations; Franchise businesses; Cannabis; Gig workers (Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart drivers, etc.)
- A household with a yearly gross income (pre-tax) less than 80% AMI (area median income) as indicated in the chart below. You qualify if your household is at or under the listed income limit for its size:
City of Vancouver, WA median income as of May 2023
Family size Income limit
1 $63,150
2 $72,200
3 $81,200
4 $90,200
5 $97,450
6 $104,650
7 $111,850
8 $119,100
Please note: This income chart changes annually. Household income refers to gross income of the applicant and other members of the household that share financial dependency. The limit is determined by the number of members in the household.
Step 2: Apply When Applications Open On June 1
Applications for the Business Banking Pathway will open on June 1, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time and close on June 30, 2023 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Before you apply, please review the instructions and gather all required documents listed here.
This application will take approximately 60 minutes to complete. You do not have the option to save and continue. Please DO NOT submit an incomplete application as it will not be considered. A complete application includes all required documents.
If you need assistance filling out this form, contact the MCNW team at southernwa@mercycorps.org. Our office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Please note: If you are accepted into the grant program, your Social Security Number (SSN)/Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) will be required to open a matched-savings bank account.
Step 3: Complete Program Requirements
If you are accepted into the Business Banking Pathway program, you will need to complete the following requirements with support from our team:
- Reaching your savings goal within 3 months
- Register your business with the state of Washington (if not yet complete)
- Obtain an EIN number for your business
- Opening a business bank account
Once these steps are complete, program enrollees receive their grant money!