Products, Programs and Progress: Are CDFIs the Future for Credit Unions?

On this episode, host Vince Passione is joined by Shirley Senn, Chief Consulting Officer at CU Strategic Planning, a Callahan company, for a deep-dive into the CDFI program: How it can strengthen credit unions, what's required to achieve and retain a CDFI designation, and how it ultimately benefits credit union members.

Key Takeaways:

(2:35) The criteria for CDFI designation - for credit unions, banks and VC funds.

(5:52) Credit unions can use CDFI Financial Assistance grants to enhance reserves and increase lending processes.

(11:35) New criteria and requirements for CDFI designation that every existing CDFI has to meet.

(15:06) How and why CDFI credit unions continued to lend through the liquidity challenge of the last two years.

(17:36) Ways to leverage CDFI grants to support programs like ITIN lending or financial counseling.

(22:34) Overlooked opportunities for credit unions to expand their deposit-base.

(24:58) CDFI credit unions need to look more broadly at partnership opportunities to deliver their mission.

Resources Mentioned:

CU Strategic Planning

www.custrategicplanning.com

Callahan

www.callahan.com

Guadalupe Credit Union

www.guadalupecu.org

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund

www.cdfifund.gov

Military Annual Percentage Rate

www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/servicemembers/military-lending-act-mla/

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#CreditUnions #Lending #CDFI #PeopleHelpingPeople