How Long Does CDFI Certification Take?
For many credit unions, becoming a Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) can unlock valuable funding opportunities, strengthen community impact, and support long-term growth. But one of the most common questions institutions ask is: “How long does the CDFI certification process actually take?” The short answer: it depends. Typical CDFI Certification Timeline The certification process […]
What Is the Difference Between the CDFI TA Grant and FA Grant?
If your credit union is exploring Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) funding opportunities, you’ve probably come across two common terms: Technical Assistance (TA) grants and Financial Assistance (FA) grants. While both programs are offered through the CDFI Fund, they serve very different purposes. Understanding the difference can help your institution determine which opportunity is the […]
CDFI, DEI, OTP – an alphabet of hope and concern
The 2022 CDFI CORE funding round just closed. So, anything related to CDFI is top of mind for our team right now. Like anyone involved in the CDFI space, this was a record-breaking year. More certification and more grant applications than ever before. This increased awareness and participation is exciting! But this ramped up output […]
Small credit union lenders – kicking ass and taking names
According to CUNA Mutual’s Credit Union Trends Report – December 2021, credit union consumer loan growth peaked at 10.5 percent in 2016. It has decreased annually since then, reaching 5.9 percent in 2021. Drilling down a bit further, the chart below reflects the loan growth challenges smaller credit unions have faced during the past two […]