ACCION USA is a nonprofit microfinance organization committed to providing microfinance services to small business owners throughout the United States. Through our loans and financial education services, our borrowers—often minorities, immigrants and women—can build assets, better provide for their families, and strengthen their communities.

Watch this video to learn more about ACCION USA and the under banked in the United States

Established in 1991 as the domestic arm of ACCION International, ACCION USA is a recognized leader in the field of U.S. microfinance. We have provided over $115 million in over 18,500 loans to borrowers from coast to coast. Our lending model is the product of 45 years of ACCION experience in providing credit to low-to-moderate income individuals worldwide, customized to meet the unique needs of microbusinesses operating in the United States.

ACCION USA is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization and is proud to carry a 4-star Charity Navigator rating – ensuring that both direct donations and Kiva loan funds are used only to further our mission of supporting microentrepreneurs with credit and training.

The Need for Microloans in the United States

In the United States, where over 10 million microentrepreneurs operate, many small businesses lack access to traditional bank credit because their loan request is too small, their length of time in business is too short, or they operate in an industry that banks typically do not consider, such as home-based sales.

The face of U.S. microfinance is familiar – ACCION USA’s borrowers range from the owner of your favorite local restaurant, to your child’s home-based daycare provider, to the operator of a larger trucking company. While their financial and ethnic backgrounds may differ, they all share the challenge of insufficient access to small business loans.

Microloan Impact in the United States

• AUSA loans contribute to job creation: Each loan that AUSA provides contributes to the creation or retention of 2.4 jobs (not including that of the borrower), predominantly in low-to-moderate income communities.
• AUSA loans help increase wages in low-to-moderate income communities: The median hourly wage provided by businesses owned by ACCION USA borrowers ($9 an hour) is 24% higher than the federal minimum wage.
• AUSA loans contribute to increased business survival: 98% of existing businesses were still in business by year-end 2008 (compared to a national average of 70%).
• AUSA boasts a historical repayment rate of nearly 91%

ACCION USA is responding to the immediate financial crisis by supporting struggling small businesses with loans and business and credit training services. Our loan consultants work individually with borrowers to provide:

• Small business microloans that average $7,000
• “Credit Builder Loans” to help borrowers establish credit in the U.S. for the first time
• One-on-one credit and business education and assistance
• Financial education via one-on-one consultations, in addition to online resources and community workshops

• Visit our Website: www.accionusa.org
• Join our lending team: ACCION USA Lending Team
• Become a fan: Visit our Facebook page
• Stay informed: Subscribe to Main Street Microfinance our U.S. microfinance blog
• Interested in a loan? Visit our loan product information page online to learn more