CDFIs are most proximate to communities needs and provide responsible, flexible capital solutions that support new business starts, job creation / retention, financial acumen building and skills development, and delivery of critical goods and services to opportunity rich communities.
We cannot abandon Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), who do measurable, positive work in our communities.
I’ve been a member of a CDFI for 25 yrs and would never go back to a traditional bank, due to the good works that I’ve seen done by CDFI’s. I was also a board member for a few years at one, so I know the inner workings and understand the community missions they take on. My children and I have had a stable home for the past 18 years, partly due to the credit building assistance we received from a CDFI.