CDFIs are an important part of the economic system and help deploy money to underserved communities, bringing needed resources such as affordable housing, health care, quality education, etc.
Thank you to our partners at Inclusive and CDBA for sharing data on CDFI Bank and CDFI Credit Union branch locations. In addition, about 100 of our CDFI Stories come from OFN’s story database.
CDFIs are an important part of the economic system and help deploy money to underserved communities, bringing needed resources such as affordable housing, health care, quality education, etc.
CDFIs support small businesses in ways that traditional financial partners are unable to. From flexible financing that supports growth, stabilize operations, and boosts local employment, to providing advice in all areas of business managements, to being there for the business owners as humans whenever needed. CDFIs are integral to the well-functioning of the financial system and of the economy as a whole.
I support CDFIs because they serve as economic first responders in their communities. Native and consumer loan funds, in particular, are instrumental in lifting our most vulnerable populations out of poverty. These CDFIs provide essential financial services and resources, offering a lifeline to individuals and families who might otherwise be excluded from traditional banking systems. By empowering them to become bankable again, CDFIs help create pathways to financial independence and long-term prosperity.
As a CDFI, we are able to provide loans and investments to borrowers for projects that improve the quality of life in our community’s low to moderate income census tracts. Frequently, these transactions are not supported by financial institutions directly under competitive terms and conditions that we as a CDFI can make.