SBA Business Development Intern - Summer 2026

Job Type

Part-time, Temporary, Internship

Description

Are you looking for an internship that encourages creativity and innovation? We believe our people make the difference in our business and our interns are no exception. In our internship program you will be responsible for supporting your assigned team with a variety of projects and administrative work. No coffee runners work here in the summer, you will do real work that you can add to your resume once you have completed this program. For our top performing interns, this program is our pipeline for many of our entry level full-time positions.

This internship is in-person at our Chicago, IL office.

As an SBA Business Development Intern, you will…

• Receive an introduction to 3 Government Guaranteed Business Lending Programs: SBA 7A, SBA 504, USDA Business Lending Program
• Overview of Documentation required to process loan requests relating to all 3 Federal Credit Programs
• Basic understanding of Group pre-qualification process involving business operating history, accessing public data portals, loan structuring, and collateral analysis.
• Introduction to Group CRM platform including outbound messaging via social media, industry publications, and targeted trade associations.
• Joining current Business Development staff with visits to prospective borrowers’ facilities
• Providing support to current Business Development team on specific loan files as re packaging, underwriting, and loan closing efforts
• The goal is that you will take what you have learned in your course work, apply it to your projects and then implement those solutions or recommendations.
• Have both a manager and mentor to help guide your through our program and your day-to-day work.
• Be given the opportunity to deliver a final presentation of your project/s results and make business recommendations to your department, team members and Company leadership.
  
  

We also offer weekly HR Development Days to help our interns grow professionally and learn about our industry. Look at what we have to offer…

• Mock interviews and resume review with our talent management team will help prepare you to enter the workforce.
• LinkedIn training will help you build and develop your personal profile and teach you about the value of online professional networking.
• DISC Assessment – coursework on how to use your DISC results to help improve teamwork, communication, and productivity in the workplace.
• “Company Insiders” Training - Listen to current Merchants’ employees tell their success stories and learn about who we are and what each department does to support our success.
  
  

Requirements

What we are looking for...

• Have completed at least your sophomore year of college. Graduates are welcome to apply as well.
• All degree programs will be considered.
• High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution required.
• Competencies: Teamwork, Communication, Critical Thinking, Integrity, Self-Discipline, and Adaptability.
  
  

Ranked as the top-performing U.S. public bank by S&P Global Market Intelligence, Merchants Bancorp is a diversified bank holding company headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, operating multiple lines of business, including multifamily housing and healthcare facility financing and servicing, mortgage warehouse financing, retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, agricultural lending, and traditional community banking. Merchants Bancorp conducts its business through its direct and indirect subsidiaries, Merchants Bank, Merchants Capital Corp., and Merchants Mortgage, a division of Merchants Bank.

Merchants Capital was established in August of 1990 as a mortgage banking firm specializing in multifamily housing and health care facilities finance. With extensive experience in these types of finance, the company is a premier provider and servicer of Multifamily, Affordable, Healthcare, and Student Housing. Our mission is simple: to provide the best origination and service of our loan and investment products with exceptional customer service, accuracy, creativity, speed, and conformance to regulations.