CDFI Small Business Lenders Resources & OFN Small Business Finance Forum
As the CDFI Fund wraps up its Innovations in Small Business Lending training series, FUND recently participated in a webinar on the training and reference materials available in its small business lending resource bank. Whether you are an emerging organization or an established small business lender, the resource bank has a wealth of information that CDFIs can utilize to help balance mission, impact, and service delivery to small and medium-sized business enterprises.
Organized into four sections, the materials available in the resource bank are a great starting point for any small business CDFI looking for data on existing markets (Section I); resources to guide them through the process of exploring new market opportunities and expanding product and service lines (Section II); as well as tools and resources that you can share with your clients to improve their own business operations (Section IV). The resource bank also includes all of the training presentations and materials from the Innovations in Small Business Lending training series (Section III).
If you missed out on any of the CDFI Fund’s in-person training sessions and are seeking additional opportunities to learn and connect with other small business CDFIs, we also suggest that you check out the upcoming OFN Small Business Finance Forum in Detroit, June 11-12. The Forum is a great opportunity for CDFIs to learn and network with peers and industry partners and explore strategies to increasing the flow of responsible and affordable capital to small businesses in underserved communities. In addition, FUND partners Lolita Sereleas and Ruth Barber will be featured speakers on a panel to discuss strategies for increasing deployment. If you’ll be in attendance, we look forward to connecting with your organization!
Are you a CDFI small business lender? What resources have you found to be particularly helpful to improve the products and services that you provide small businesses?