Business Invest: Community Uplift Program

Business Invest – Community Uplift Program (“Business Invest – CUP”) offers qualified financial institutions that operate in designated areas (i.e., Illinois Enterprise Zones, Opportunity Zones, Low-Income Communities) access to state impact investment capital at a lower rate through a time deposit. These low-cost deposits give community banks, local credit unions, and savings and loan institutions additional resources to expand small-business lending, support economic development, and help spur local growth.

           •  Assists financial institutions in providing low-cost business loans with a maturity of 1, 2, and 3 years.

           •  Single financial institutions located in a town or city are provided additional eligibility flexibility.

Download the Business Invest – CUP flyer (PDF, opens in new tab) for more information.

Application Timeline

To be considered for funding this month, your application must be received by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on either the first or third Thursday of the month. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed for a future month (or as determined by the Treasurer’s Office). The Treasurer’s Office may change this schedule at any time without notice. The Treasurer’s Office reserves the right to change this schedule without notice. If you have any questions, call 217-558-6217.

How to Apply

Step 1:  Become an Approved Program Depository

Through Business Invest, the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office partners with approved financial institutions to expand access to low-cost business loans in underserved communities across Illinois. This impact investment approach helps stimulate small-business growth and local economic activity while earning a competitive return for the State. To participate in Business Invest – Community Uplift Program (CUP), financial institutions must be—or apply to become—an approved program depository with the Treasurer’s Office. For more information, please visit:

           •  Become an Approved Program Depository

           •  View the current List of Approved Program Depositories.

Step 2:  Review Eligibility and Submit Application

Approved depositories that want to confirm eligibility and apply for the Business Invest – CUP program should review and submit the following document:

           •  Business Invest – CUP Application (PDF, opens in new tab).

To confirm whether a bank or business is located in an eligible area, use the tools below:

Daily Rates

Visit the Community Development Linked Deposit page to view the applicable impact investment deposit rates for Business Invest – CUP.

Contact Us

For questions about the Treasurer’s Office investment programs (Illinois Ag Invest, Illinois Business Invest, and Illinois Community Invest), email: investinillinois@illinoistreasurer.gov or call 217-558-6217.