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.
The shift in business models among banks and credit unions—along with ongoing consolidation and the retreat from rural markets—has left a growing number of entrepreneurs without access to traditional financing. In response, MoFi and other CDFIs have become critical entry points for future bank customers.
Century is a CDFI, and we finance affordable housing and provide capital to underserved communities. We urge continuation of investment and support the appropriation of critical funds to produce more housing.
CDFIs provide access to capital for individuals who more traditional financial institutions would otherwise deny. The capital provided allows them to sustain or scale their business.
CDFIs have a demonstrated track record of success: they often leverage every federal dollar to attract up to 12 times that amount in private investment, reaching borrowers that traditional banks overlook. Whether it’s a veteran-owned business in Montana, a farm in the Central Valley, or a childcare provider in the South Bronx, CDFIs meet communities where they are, providing not only loans but financial education, technical assistance, and long-term support. This is not a partisan issue. Nearly every congressional district in America benefits from the work of CDFIs, with 92% of House districts having at least one CDFI. CDFIs are an engine of local resilience-supporting job creation, small business formation, and upward mobility.