Our History

BCL of Texas (formally CEN-TEX CDC) was formed in 1990 at the invitation of the SBA San Antonio District office to make commercial real estate loans for established central Texas businesses. Our first loan was to Juan Portillo, who purchased an office building for his business, Tramex Travel. Sixteen years later Tramex Travel continues to grow. To meet customer requests, BCL has expanded its products and services. BCL became a statewide organization in 2004 and filed our dba (doing business as) Business & Community Lenders of Texas. View our BCL Fact Sheet.

BCL is a non-profit economic and community development lender.

All of our loans must meet a public purpose test.

● Jobs Creation ● Business District Revitalization ● Rural Business ● Minority Business ● Veteran Owned Business ● Woman Owned Business ● Labor Surplus Area ● Enhanced Competition ● Community Facilities

The BCL entrepreneurship center is located at 2212 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas (one block north of Oltorf Street). We are located in the heart of a unique Austin redevelopment district Come by anytime to meet our staff and experience the exciting SOCO business District.

Looking Forward

BCL has diversified its products and services to meet market demand. As we grow, we intent do stay true to our mission…to provide economic and community development opportunities across our dynamic state of Texas. We value your business and look forward to new opportunities. At BCL, we embrace challenges and change.

Our Leadership

Membership to BCL of Texas is FREE to Texas lenders, Chambers of Commerce, Local Elected officials and civic leaders. The Board of Directors volunteer their time and personal resources to BCL. Directors serve staggered terms and are elected by the membership. Please call our executive director to let us know if you want to be added to the BCL membership and if you have an interest in serving on our board or the BCL loan committee.

Our Vision

The BCL volunteer Board and staff have a vision of excellence. BCL has a highly talented pool of commercial loan officers on staff and on our loan committee. The business and community loan process is streamlined and efficient.

Superior Experience

We value your business. Our goals are the same as yours “to grow your business”. Get acquainted with our staff. Our loan officers have over 60 years of commercial real estate lending and we have a 100% loan approval rate.

Rural communities often have greater needs. There are fewer community facilities, fewer finance options for community facilities, and housing choices are limited. Let our Community Development team help finance and develop your new housing subdivision, multifamily property, child care center, adult care/assisted living and community facility. Our goal is to help redevelop the town and serve your customer markets.

Contact us early as you begin to plan your facility or expansion so that we can underwrite and structure the best business and community facility finance options.