American Lending Center Resolves To Make 2025 The Best Year Yet
Welcome back to Develop Your Vision, and Happy New Year!
Here at American Lending Center, we’re excited about 2025. Thanks to some major steps taken in 2024 (our 15th year in business), we expect this year to be our best yet.
As you know, our goal since the beginning has been to help small business owners secure the capital necessary to grow and succeed, thereby increasing jobs and improving the community’s economy. We do this through public-private partnerships, particularly with the Small Business Administration.
Empowering Growth with Smart Lending Programs
In 2025, ALC is committed to increasing efforts in supporting innovative companies through strategic financing solutions. This includes leveraging the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), a California-specific loan guarantee that uses federal money to guarantee loans through the state’s California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank’s (IBank) Small Business Finance Center and the California Pollution Control Financing Authority, housed within the State Treasurer’s Office.
In 2024, we partnered with the state to provide a $1 million loan to Seatrec to continue development of an open ocean clean and renewable energy source. The loan guarantee was approved as part of the Climate Tech Finance Program at the state’s IBank. It exemplifies the type of financing solutions we aim to expand in 2025.
Additionally, we will continue to expand financing using the SBA 7(a) loan program. In September 2024, ALC was certified as a Non-Federally Regulated Lender in the SBA 7(a) program. This is the Small Business Administration’s primary loan guarantee program, and our certification opens multiple doors to help business owners who might not otherwise qualify for loans.
7(a) loan guarantees are the most flexible of the SBA programs, and can be used for a variety of business purposes, including working capital, equipment, furniture and fixtures, land and building purchase or improvements. It can even be used for debt refinancing under special conditions.
Together, these programs will be central to our 2025 strategy for empowering businesses and driving growth.
Leading the Charge in Climate Tech and Tech Entrepreneurship
Last spring, ALC participated in Irvine Tech Week, hosting a panel about how small business loans can benefit startup businesses. We also helped host the first-ever Irvine Dream Run, including the Tech Week 5K. Then in June I traveled to New York City to participate in NY Tech Week.
Our emphasis on sustainability has prompted our involvement in cutting-edge technologies such as vertical farming and geothermal electricity generation. With the ever-growing need for new solutions to climate change and other challenges, ALC will add emphasis to businesses working in innovative technologies.
Fostering Community Through Public-Private Partnerships
We will continue to grow our presence and profile in the public and business ecosystems.
ALC has been a member of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL) for several years, and we were pleased to be a part of the 40th annual conference in November. Now that we are certified as a 7(a) Non-Federally Regulated Lender, we will be even more active with that group, which acts as an advocate and information resource.
Also in 2024, we became members of the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce and the OC Startup Council. These organizations will help us make contacts and participate in discussions about supporting both our headquarters city and the startup ecosystem.
Giving Back to Communities
As part of our commitment to making a difference, we are proud to continue giving back to the communities we serve. In 2025, we will strengthen our efforts to support future entrepreneurs and foster innovation. Through initiatives like the Stella Zhang New Venture Competition at the UCI Paul Merage School of Business, we support aspiring business leaders and innovations.
This year, we are excited to sponsor the Dream Run, happening on Saturday, April 26th, at the Irvine Great Park. Proceeds from this event will go to local accelerators, helping to grow and strengthen the startup community.
Early bird tickets are on sale now! Don’t miss your chance to participate in this meaningful event while enjoying a day of fun and fitness.
A Commitment to Our Employees
At ALC, our employees are at the heart of our success. In 2025, we are committed to fostering a workplace that inspires collaboration, growth, and innovation — a place where our team can develop their vision alongside the businesses we support.
That’s how we Develop Our Vision!
I and all of the ALC team wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.
John Shen
CEO and founder
American Lending Center
©Copyright American Lending Center, 2025
About American Lending Center: A Financial Times (FT) Americas’ Fastest Growing Company
American Lending Center (ALC) is a mission based non-bank lending institution nationally recognized as a leader in job-creation lending. Since its inception in 2009, ALC has proudly provided over $1.4 billion in loans and investments to thousands of companies of all sizes, empowering them to grow and thrive.
During the COVID years, ALC participated in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and provided direct assistance to nearly 30,000 companies in all 50 states, and Washington, DC. Through the years, ALC has helped create and/or retain more than 100,000 jobs. Follow American Lending Center on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.