Discussion Paper
2025 CDFI Survey: Does Older Mean Wiser for Mission-Driven Lenders?
Abstract: For over a century, community development financial institutions (CDFIs) have played a role in expanding credit access to consumers, small businesses, and communities that are underserved by traditional financial institutions. Every two years, the Federal Reserve conducts a survey of CDFIs to keep a pulse on the industry. The most recent survey was in 2025. The purpose of this post is to understand if and how CDFIs differ based on how long they have provided mission-driven lending. Here are a few interesting takeaways when comparing CDFIs by age:1 Older CDFI loan funds are generally larger by asset size than younger loan funds, although the same relationship between age and asset size does not hold for depository CDFIs (banks and credit unions). Younger CDFIs were the most likely to report struggles with meeting demand, often citing significant challenges with operational funding. Older CDFIs reported that staffing and technology posed the most significant challenges.
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https://www.richmondfed.org/region_communities/regional_data_analysis/regional_matters/2026/cdfi_survey_does_older_mean_wiser_mission-driven_lenders
Description: Discussion Paper
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Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Part of Series: Regional Matters
Publication Date: 2026-03-26