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.
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.
I support CDFIs because they provide needed capital for small businesses and first-time homebuyers. This capital allows people to build wealth and/or provide a product/service to their community, which leads to economic prosperity for the local area. Because the financing is provided as a loan, clients are equally invested in the success of their home/business.
CDFIs are a vital source of capital for the small and micro businesses in our communities, businesses that typically aren’t at the scale to be served by the large banks. They create jobs, generate taxes and keep our communities and economy vibrant and strong.
CDFIs provide access to critical financial services and education in a way that’s accessible to and designed for low income and low wealth people and families. CDFIs help strengthen the US economy by expanding opportunities for homeownership, small business, and consumer credit., and federal grants to CDFIs are leveraged many times over by private capital. Due to the success of this work, the CDFI Fund has been sustained by broad, bipartisan support for 25 years.