Discussion Paper
How are CDFIs Managing Pandemic-Related Disruptions?
Phelps, Hailey (2022-12-22)
Last month, the Federal Reserve released results from its most recent COVID-19 Community Impact Survey.1 The survey is designed to collect information on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on low- to moderate-income (LMI) communities and the organizations serving them. Among these organizations are community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which have a mission to provide credit and financial services to underserved individuals and communities. (See "Expanding Credit Access through Community Development Financial Institutions," Econ Focus, Fourth Quarter 2022.). This post ...
Regional Matters

Journal Article
District Digest
Carpenter, Surekha (2022-10)
Many Americans take access to credit for granted. It's easy for them to underestimate the importance of credit. But without it, a person's economic advancement may become more challenging. For example, in many areas, the inability to secure an auto loan — and thus, a car — could limit employment options, access to healthy food, or medical care.Different people have disparate experiences in accessing credit. For those who are financially underserved, the market has produced credit alter­natives. But many of those alterna­tives, such as payday lenders, offer unfavorable terms that often ...
Econ Focus , Volume 22 , Issue 4Q , Pages 27-31

Discussion Paper
CDFIs on the Prize: Recent Federal Awards for Community Development Financial Institutions
Carpenter, Surekha; Phelps, Hailey (2023-06-16)
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are mission-driven banks, credit unions, loan funds, and venture capital funds that expand financial access to low-and-moderate income (LMI) and underserved populations.In the past two years, after recognizing CDFIs' ability to reach and serve populations that were hard hit by the pandemic, Congress appropriated a total of $12 billion to the industry through three special programs. The money was allocated to the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The scale of these funds set aside for CDFIs is ...
Regional Matters

Journal Article
Fed’s PPP Liquidity Facility Provides CDFIs Balance Sheet Relief
Eggleston, Michael (2021-02-23)
Learn how the Federal Reserve’s Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility has aided community development financial institutions in supporting small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bridges , Volume 2021 (1)

Journal Article
Arkansas CDFIs Poised to Scale Small-Business Lending
Eggleston, Michael (2022-11-17)
Arkansas small businesses will see more lending options from CDFIs through a $10 billion federal program called the State Small Business Credit Initiative.
Bridges , Volume 2022 (4)

Journal Article
Virtual CDFI Symposium Places Focus on Policy and Innovation
Eggleston, Michael (2020-08-16)
See highlights from a webinar series created to promote research surrounding the purpose and influence of community development financial institutions (CDFIs).
Bridges