First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) have announced a $100-million financing program to help Indigenous communities and economic development agencies acquire businesses. FNBC will provide loans (around $5M each), with BDC guaranteeing up to 85% of the debt. This initiative aims to support the projected 23% increase in Indigenous entrepreneurs and facilitate business transfers from retiring owners, promoting economic reconciliation.
First Nations Bank, BDC earmark $100-million for business acquisitions
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) have announced a $100-million financing program to help Indigenous communities and economic development agencies acquire businesses. FNBC will provide loans (around $5M each), with BDC guaranteeing up to 85% of the debt. This initiative aims to support the projected 23% increase in Indigenous entrepreneurs and facilitate business transfers from retiring owners, promoting economic reconciliation.
Trending- 1 Last year: BDC made a $250-million commitment for financing, training, and investment funding for companies led by Indigenous, Black, and female entrepreneurs
- 2 Four years ago: Isabelle Hudon took BDC CEO job and saw need for more Indigenous entrepreneur support
- 3 Thursday (2025-06-05): FNBC and BDC announced the $100-million financing program
- 4 Next decade: Number of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit entrepreneurs forecast to increase by 23%
- Increased business ownership for Indigenous communities
- Economic reconciliation
- Creation of local employment
- Support for a growing number of Indigenous entrepreneurs
What: First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) are making $100-million in financing available for Indigenous communities and economic development agencies to acquire businesses.
When: Announced on Thursday (2025-06-05). The program is being launched now.
Where: Saskatoon (FNBC headquarters), Canada (national program).
Why: To provide Indigenous communities with access to opportunities to improve their financial prospects and achieve economic reconciliation, in response to a projected 23% increase in Indigenous entrepreneurs and many current business owners getting set to retire.
How: FNBC will provide loans (around $5-million each), and BDC will guarantee up to 85% of the debt. The program is focused on smaller business opportunities, allowing communities to acquire local businesses like plumbing, heating, construction, food-service franchises, and small manufacturing.