Treasurer Malek Launches MOBUCK$ Portal for Small Businesses, Details Pending | The Locally Times
Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek announces the MOBUCK$ portal opens April 1 for small business loans, but critical eligibility and funding details are still missing.
Missouri small businesses are poised to access a new source of capital with the MOBUCK$ application portal opening April 1, 2026, yet key details about eligibility and loan amounts remain under wraps. State Treasurer Vivek Malek announced the upcoming launch of the online portal, designated for the Small Business category of the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. It is scheduled to go live at 8:00 a.m. CST on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. While the portal's opening offers a potential resource for economic growth and access to capital for local enterprises, the Treasurer's announcement notably lacks specific details regarding eligibility criteria, available loan amounts, and the types of small businesses that qualify. This means potential applicants will need to seek further clarification once the portal is active. The program typically works by allowing the State Treasurer's Office to deposit funds with eligible lending institutions at below-market interest rates. These institutions then use these deposits to make loans to qualifying small businesses at reduced interest rates, aiming to stimulate economic activity and job creation. However, the Treasurer's office has not yet specified the precise criteria businesses must meet to be considered "qualifying" under this particular MOBUCK$ initiative. Records do not detail the maximum or minimum loan amounts available through participating lenders, nor do they indicate the total amount of state funds designated for this linked deposit program. Businesses interested in applying will need to monitor the portal closely upon its opening for comprehensive program guidelines and requirements. ## Beyond MOBUCK$: Financial Literacy Resources Beyond the MOBUCK$ portal, the Missouri State Treasurer's Office offers a Financial Literacy Portal. This online resource provides free, accessible tools designed to help individuals and families strengthen their financial education and build financial management skills. The Treasurer's office highlights its commitment to financial education through this portal, offering a resource for all Missourians seeking to improve their personal financial standing. ## Other Key Deadlines and Community Services Separately, students planning for higher education face a key deadline on April 1, 2026. The State Technical College of Missouri's priority deadline for FAFSA submissions for the 2026-2027 academic year is April 1, 2026. Submitting the FAFSA by this date guarantees an award for eligible students, as stated by the college's financial aid information. This deadline is particularly relevant due to a delayed rollout of the 2025-2026 FAFSA, which shifted the priority deadline for the current academic year. Several other important dates for Missouri residents are approaching in early April. The City of Hallsville is offering a curb-side appliance pickup service on April 4, 2026. This service assists with spring cleaning efforts for scrap metal and old appliances, providing a convenient way for residents to dispose of bulky items. Meanwhile, MoDOT roadwork is underway in Northeast Missouri from March 23 and continuing through April 3, 2026. Travelers in this region should anticipate potential impacts on commute times due to these maintenance activities. The Missouri Ethics Commission has a meeting scheduled for April 7, 2026, which includes an 8-Day Before Election Report due for the April 7, 2026, election. The Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission also has a meeting scheduled for April 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Jefferson City, with video attendance available. ## Key Questions **What is the MOBUCK$ portal for?** The MOBUCK$ portal is an application system for the Small Business category of the Missouri Linked Deposit Program, intended to provide financial support to small businesses. **When does the MOBUCK$ portal open?** The portal is scheduled to open on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. CST. **Where can small businesses find more information about MOBUCK$ eligibility?** The Treasurer's announcement does not include specific details on eligibility criteria or loan amounts; this information is not yet publicly available.