FAQ

Yes, there are many ways WWBIC assists with this process. We encourage people who are exploring entrepreneurship to register for one of our workshops such as Exploring Entrepreneurship, Will My Business Idea Work? or What Can WWBIC Do For You? Our classes and workshops are designed to give detailed information and answer your questions in a group setting. We also encourage you to contact us to learn about other helpful resources.

If you already have a business plan and are seeking financing, you can access the WWBIC loan application on our website. If you have any questions with the loan application process, please contact a WWBIC office.

WWBIC keeps its classes and workshops affordable. As such, some are offered at no-cost and others for a nominal charge. For class descriptions and fees, click here. WWBIC also offers reduced-fee scholarships to eligible participants. Contact the office near you to see if you qualify.

WWBIC’s classes will provide you with business education and resources to start or grow your business. We also offer specialized courses on personal money management to assist you in setting up a budget and addressing credit issues.

No. WWBIC does not limit the number of classes you may register for. However, when you register, please provide the workshop name, date and time for each of the classes you would like to attend.

Please look at our class calendar to find classes in the area that are convenient for you. All of our classes and class locations are available on this calendar.

Registration for WWBIC classes is available online, right on our class calendar. If you have any issues with registering on-line, please contact us.

For specific classes, you may have to pay in advance. For example, due to the high demand of our technology classes, we may ask for advance payment. For most workshops, we collect fees at the door.

Our online loan application is accessible here. For a paper application and checklist, please contact a WWBIC loan officer. After you have completed each item on the checklist and have submitted your application, a member of WWBIC’s lending team will respond to your application within 2 business days.

Yes, any Wisconsin resident age 18 or older is eligible to apply.

Loans range from $1,000 to $100,000 and can range up to $350,000 utilizing an SBA Community Advantage Guarantee. Speak with a WWBIC loan officer for more information.

Interest Rates: Fixed, but vary according to prime rates and WWBIC funding sources.

Terms: Vary with the loan size and purpose. The maximum term is 72 months (up to 120 months with SBA Community Advantage Guarantee) with no pre-payment penalty. Lines of credit are also available.

Collateral: Acceptable collateral includes first lien on the business assets and personal guarantees of owner and spouse. A pledge of personal assets of the business owner(s) may be required.

Eligible uses: Machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements, inventory, supplies and working capital.

Ineligible uses: Loan proceeds cannot be used to purchase real estate for business investment purposes or to refinance existing debt. The owner must be actively involved in day-to-day business operations.

Applying is free. In the past, a nonrefundable $100 fee was charged, but this is no longer the case as of January 2023.

Please pay online with a credit card or mail a check/money order to The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, 1533 N. Rivercenter Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212 Attn: Loan Processing.

If you have all your documentation ready, the online application takes about about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Feel free to browse the checklist first to find out what documentation you’ll need (a username and password are required to do this). You can save and return to the checklist at any point. However, you must complete the loan application checklist within 30 days from the date you start it.

You must start the application over. The information is not saved after 30 days.

Yes, but a guarantor may be required or other compensating factors needed to secure the loan.

Yes. Loan applications will not be processed without a written business plan. Click here for a business plan template.

Each item on the Loan Application Checklist is required in order for your application to be processed. Your lender will let you know if additional documents are required (such as mortgage papers, leases, etc.)

Yes, all information entered in the application is secure and will not be shared with third parties.

WWBIC classes & programs are FREE for all WWBIC loan clients. To view upcoming courses & to register visit the classes page or contact your WWBIC Small Business Consultant for details.

To WWBIC, EIFs = GOLD! WWBIC is supported through federal, local and private investors that believe in WWBIC’s mission of economic self-sufficiency through job creation & business development. By collecting demographic information on our clients & their employees, WWBIC is able to track key metrics used to measure the quality and effectiveness of programs & services.
Links to WWBIC demographic forms are below:

• Employee Information – A (Overview) You – the business owner – complete this form.
• Employee Information – B (Demographic) Each employee should complete this form upon hire. FYI – this information is not reported to any agency. WWBIC keeps the forms on file for our regularly-scheduled file audits.

Click here to access online & printable EIF forms.

Annually, we request an updated CIF and BIF from you, the business owner

1. Client Information
2. Business Information

WWBIC Small Business Consultants or SBCs are provided to all loan clients following the closing of your loan. Your assigned SBC may attend your loan closing or otherwise will contact you to schedule an initial site visit within 30 days. Please note some loan officers will require you to meet with your assigned SBC prior to disbursing funds beyond closing costs.

WWBIC Small Business Consultant Directory

Greater Milwaukee:

Lily Alvarado
Program Manager for Hispanic Business Training, Programming & Outreach
414-395-4536

Joe Mutranowski
Small Business Consultant
414-395-4533

Ed Byrnes
Small Business Consultant
414-395-4560

Northeast Market (Appleton/Green Bay):

Kelton Dopp
Small Business Consultant
608-204-8904

South Central Market (Madison):

Krista Bleich
Small Business Consultant
608-204-8904

Southeast Market (Racine/Kenosha):

Jenn Ring
Small Business Consultant
262-898-5004

Southwest Market (La Crosse):

Kristine Shawley
Small Business Consultant
608-668-4404

Thinking of selling your car or home? This can effect your loan status. Be sure to contact your SBC before taking any action. 3 weeks for vehicles 6 weeks for homes. Ask your SBC for a collateral release form.

Billing statements are sent to borrowers on the 1st & 15th of each month. If you have questions about your billing statement, or if you need to change your mailing address contact your Small Business Consultant.

Extra payments can be made Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm at WWBIC’s Milwaukee Headquarters (1533 N. Rivercenter Drive | Milwaukee, WI 53212) or contact your Small Business Consultant for more information.

If you are ready to pay-off your WWBIC loan please contact your Small Business Consultant for payoff information and a timeline.

There is a 7-day grace period on all WWBIC loans. If you are concerned you won’t be able to make your payment contact your WWBIC Small Business Consultant as soon as possible.

WWBIC’s internal check processing days are Tuesday and Thursdays. Therefore, the best practice is to submit the disbursement request to your loan officer by Monday or Wednesday of each week so that there is time to reconcile the request and approve it for processing. Please check with your loan office for additional requirements.

Disbursement Request Form

There is a $35 wire transfer fee. If you need a wire transfer, you’ll need to fill out the form below as well as add the $35 wire transfer fee to the disbursement request form.

Wire Transfer Fee Form

If you would like to change your ACH information you’ll need to fill out the form below and return it to your Small Business Consultant a minimum of 7 days in advance.

Loan Payments ACH Change Form

Let your Small Business Consultant know if your business or personal contact information has changed.

WWBIC’s online client directory listing features local business across the state. Often WWBIC will receive requests from local and national organizations looking for local small businesses to support. WWBIC points these inquiries to the online Client Directory listing. To feature your business here, fill out the form below and send it to your Small Business Consultant. NOTE: Your loan must be in good standing to be listed on our directory.

Client Directory Form

There are many ways to give back to WWBIC and support the organization’s mission. Check out a few opportunities below:

Volunteer with WWBIC

WWBIC is always looking for class facilitators, guest speakers, mentors, and individuals with small business experience/expertise. Contact your Small Business Consultant for details.

Donate to WWBIC

Make an investment in WWBIC’s community impact. WWBIC’s many endeavors would not be possible without the generous support of individuals, foundations and corporations. We are funded through grants and donations from people like you! Donate here.

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