Indian Business Corporation
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About the Indian Business Corporation
When it comes to financing, Indigenous borrowers face scrutiny most Canadians wouldn’t experience. Mainstream banks and credit unions often frown on what they see as undue financial risk. For some Indigenous business women, especially those living on reserve, this discrimination is greatly magnified. Loan application denied!
Indian Business Corporation (IBC) is a First Nations-owned lending organization that provides financing and support to First Nations entrepreneurs in Western Canada. IBC nurtures talent with an approach to financial risk rooted in local knowledge and community experience. Since 1987, IBC has loaned over $100 million to more than 2500 First Nations entrepreneurs, supporting the creation of 7,000 jobs—over half of which are rural or reserve-based.
We’re exceptionally proud of our work with IBC and of the continuing impacts driven by our collective effort.
The Project
As if running a business wasn’t challenging enough, women frequently have to balance that with unpaid work like managing household finances and caring for children, family and community members. The IBC Women’s Loan Fund launched in 2016 to level the playing field by expanding access to capital and meaningful business support for Indigenous Business Women. One-third of IBC’s loan portfolio is invested with Indigenous Business Women.
This report was developed as a tool to grow The IBC Women’s Loan Fund and showcase the importance of a focus on female entrepreneurs.
We have contributed to several reports on indigenous social finance. We work very hard to avoid orienting the narrative from a charitable vantage point, and to show what can be achieved with a fair and level playing field.
“Indian Business Corporation has been working with Roseander Main for the past 10 years. We view them as much more than a ‘designer’, but rather an adviser and coach on how to best represent what we are trying to achieve.”
— Rob Rollingson, General Manager, Indian Business Corporation
