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Journal Article
Lessons Learned from Small Business Lending During COVID-19: A Case Study of the California Rebuilding Fund
As the COVID-19 pandemic forced California businesses to shut down in March 2020, the fate of small businesses, which often had fewer reserves to draw upon when trying to survive the shutdowns, became particularly concerning. Federal aid measures, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), brought relief to many business owners, but their deployment also confirmed what many small business advocates feared: business owners in the most vulnerable communities and underrepresented business owners often struggled to obtain assistance. At the same time, small business lending capital dried ...
Journal Article
At the Richmond Fed: Studying Community Development Financial Institutions
They say that money makes the world go round — the ability to borrow it can shape a person's life, livelihood, and neighborhood. But just because trillions of dollars are loaned to households and businesses every quarter doesn't mean lending is equally available to those who need it the most.Community development financial institutions, or CDFIs, emerged in the 1970s to improve credit access for underserved individuals and communities, offering a range of financial services and educational programs. But little was known about the impact of these organizations. The Richmond Fed launched the ...
Journal Article
Upfront: New from the Richmond Fed’s Regional Matters blog
Roll up of several Regional Matters Blog Posts
Journal Article
Understanding CDFI Financial Data: A Primer for New Investors
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are gaining broader recognition as effective conduits of capital to underserved communities. As a result of the diversity of CDFI business models and their unique approach to blending different capital sources, these mission-driven capital providers have varied and often complex financial structures, and their financial statements can be difficult to understand for those not familiar with the sector. As interest in the sector from prospective investors has grown, so too has the need for broader understanding of how to assess CDFI financial ...
Journal Article
New from the Richmond Fed’s Regional Matters blog
Recap of recent Regional Matters Blog posts.
Journal Article
Understanding Community Development Financial Institutions and their Impact in Low- and Moderate-Income Neighborhoods
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are mission-driven lenders that create economic opportunity for low-income communities and individuals throughout the United States. The history of CDFIs dates back to the 1970s. There are currently over 1,100 operating as banks, credit unions, nonprofit loan funds, and venture capital funds. CDFI financing leads to the creation of jobs, affordable housing, community facilities and more. This issue of the Community Development Innovation Review is a collection of research papers designed to expand our understanding of CDFIs and their ...