Capital Access Program (CAP)
Offers New Hampshire small businesses loan-enhancement support through partner banks to expand borrowing capacity.
The New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Capital Access Program (CAP) is a credit-enhancement instrument funded through the federal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) 2.0, deployed by NH BFA to increase lending to small businesses across New Hampshire. CAP is not a grant; it is a loan guarantee program administered through participating banks and credit institutions. NH BFA provides up to a 100% guarantee on term loans and lines of credit for qualifying small businesses, with total enrollment capped at $200,000 per borrower (and an outer limit of $500,000 total CAP loan enrollment per borrower across all facilities). The lender contributes 3–4% of the loan balance at closing, which NH BFA matches at 2.5x to fund the reserve account.
Eligibility covers both for-profit and nonprofit entities with annual revenues under $5 million, including startups. New businesses must contribute a minimum of 20% cash equity (non-borrowed funds). Prohibited sectors include businesses engaged in illegal activities, commodity trading, financial instruments, pyramid schemes, and primary lending operations. Owner-occupied commercial real estate qualifies; residential real estate is excluded. Lines of credit require a 30-day zero-balance period annually. There are no application or annual fees for the borrower.
Applications are submitted by the participating lender on behalf of the borrower — businesses do not apply directly to BFA. Typical BFA approval takes 24 hours once the lender submits. NH BFA can be reached at 603.415.0190 or info@nhbfa.com, and lenders can complete applications online or via downloadable PDF forms. The program is active as of 2026 with no discontinuation notice. Because access is lender-driven, small businesses seeking CAP coverage should first identify a participating NH bank and discuss the program before expecting direct BFA contact.
SSBCI-funded credit enhancement for New Hampshire small businesses with annual revenues under $5 million, providing up to 100% loan guarantee through participating banks with enrollment capped at $500,000 per borrower.
Sign up free to see the funding breakdown
Sign up free to see the industries in scope
Sign up free to see the full eligibility
Sign up free to see how to apply