HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — To help entrepreneurs that need smaller business loans, several Canadian credit unions have teamed up to assist.

Beginning Sept. 18, i-Nova Credit Union, Bergengren Credit Union and Community Credit Union will offer the loans, which are available up to $10,000. The goal is to offer the loans during a pilot phase and then roll the program out to 287 other Canadian credit unions. Each of the three credit unions has already received a $15,000 grant from the federal government to assist with the effort including offering counseling, training and help with creating a business plan.

The pilot loan program comes nearly two months before the Global Microcredit Summit takes place in Halifax in November. Delegates from more than 100 countries will discuss how to help 100 million of the world's poorest people survive including through business start-ups.