CDFIs drive local economic growth by financing small businesses, creating jobs, and expanding affordable housing. They support rural and tribal communities, fund critical services like childcare and health clinics, and have invested $298 billion in underserved areas since 2010.
Since its inception in 1994, PeopleFund – a CDFI and SBA Lender – has deployed more than $1.2 Billion in financial assistance in areas that needed jobs and revitalization in Texas. Almost 60% of this growth took place in the last 5 years. We are also the managing member of the Veteran Loan Fund, a collaborative effort of a growing number of CDFIs across the country supporting Veterans and Veteran spouses start and grow their businesses.
CDFIs are mission-driven financial institutions rooted in community. They exist to expand economic participation, particularly in places that have long been excluded from traditional financing systems. In many ways, BII has operated with a CDFI mindset from the start: investing in local entrepreneurs, supporting community-owned enterprises, and helping to close persistent gaps in access to capital.