-Overview
The 2024 CDFA Equitable Lending Learning Series will assist development finance professionals with incorporating equitable lending best practices to remove barriers to affordable capital for underserved borrowers. This Learning Series offers four two-hour opportunities designed primarily for current or prospective lenders in the development finance industry. Each session will combine historical background and framing of a challenge in the lending community with a deep dive into strategies to address the issue presented by experts from development finance agencies, CDFIs, and other small business finance organizations.
The final thirty minutes of each session will be dedicated to an open, detailed Q&A with the moderators and speakers. Topics covered in this Learning Series will include strategic partnerships for sharing risk, development finance data collection and measurement, building borrower finance readiness, and development finance spreadsheet solutions.
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-Agenda
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
| Tue 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Strategic Partnerships for Sharing Financial Risk
In development finance, sharing risk among multiple sources of capital is a common strategy for mitigating risk on challenging loans. Speakers will discuss identifying strategic partners when implementing equitable lending programs, approaches for establishing solid relationships across organizations, and the various finance tools available to reduce risk exposure. The conversation will explore how leveraging the strengths and expertise of various capital partners, technical assistance providers, and philanthropic supporters can help build successful and sustainable programs.
The last thirty minutes of the session are dedicated to open office hours, during which attendees can ask detailed questions, and speakers can provide additional in-depth answers and guidance.
Moderator(s)
- Kerrington Eubanks, Sr. Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships, Lendistry
- Fawn Zimmerman, Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
- Thelma Adams Johnson, President / Chief Executive Officer, ACT! Albany Community Together, Inc.
- Linda MacFarlane, Executive Director, Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
- Joann Massey, President & CEO, Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE)
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Wednesday, September 4, 2024
| Wed 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Development Finance Data Collection and Measurement
Over the past decade, there has been an influx of new technologies for collecting and analyzing financial data – but many development finance professionals struggle to decide which platforms and software are the right fit for their needs. Presenters will share an overview of the current fintech landscape, followed by a discussion of best practices for collecting financial data and borrower demographics and implementing a successful impact measurement system. Speakers will address key considerations their organizations used when selecting new technologies and how to utilize available software best to streamline lending processes and impact data tracking.
The last thirty minutes of the session are dedicated to open office hours, during which attendees can ask detailed questions, and speakers can provide additional in-depth answers and guidance.
Moderator(s)
- Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President & CEO, The Center By Lendistry
- Fawn Zimmerman, Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
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Tuesday, October 1, 2024
| Tue 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Building Borrower Finance-Readiness
For underserved business owners, establishing and building lending experience is crucial to long-term success. Development finance agencies and other small business lenders work to increase the readiness of these borrowers for more accessible forms of capital. Panelists will provide a holistic framework for assisting underserved borrowers across the life of their loan, with a look at the technical assistance and business support services needed to prepare borrowers adequately. The discussion will include insights about how development finance lenders can help these businesses at each stage of engagement, from the application and underwriting process through loan repayment and obtaining future sources of capital.
The last thirty minutes of the session are dedicated to open office hours, during which attendees can ask detailed questions, and speakers can provide additional in-depth answers and guidance.
Moderator(s)
- Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President & CEO, The Center By Lendistry
- Fawn Zimmerman, Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
- Teresa Francis, Loan Officer, Ohio Department of Development
- Marquise Jackson, Senior Director of Business Development and Partnerships, Mission Driven Finance
- Miranda Rodriguez, Vice President, Operations, Lendistry
- Everett Sands, Chief Executive Officer, Lendistry
- Keith Talley Sr., President & CEO, LHOME (Louisville Housing Opportunities and Micro-Enterprise Community Development Loan Fund, Inc.)
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Tuesday, December 10, 2024
| Tue 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Equitable Lending Assessment Tools & Spreadsheet Solutions
Integrating new equitable lending programs often involves restructuring loan applications and evaluation processes to expand accessibility to underserved borrowers. Leading lenders in the development finance industry will walk through various assessment tools, spreadsheets, and other platforms used in their review process. A facilitated discussion among the panel will explore how each organization navigates application review to increase access to capital while maintaining financially sound practices.
The last thirty minutes of the session are dedicated to open office hours, during which attendees can ask detailed questions, and speakers can provide additional in-depth answers and guidance.
Moderator(s)
- Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President & CEO, The Center By Lendistry
- Fawn Zimmerman, Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
- Lee Farmer, Director of Financing, Community Asset Ownership, Nonprofit Finance Fund
- Cassie Ferrer, Vice President of Underwriting, Accion Opportunity Fund
- Kim Folsom, Founder, Chairperson & CEO, Founders First Capital Partners
- Brinda Ganguly, Executive Vice President, New York City Economic Development Corporation
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-Location
The 2024 CDFA Equitable Lending Learning Series will take place on Zoom. You must have access to a computer or phone to attend the sessions.
Webinars will be recorded and placed online for participants to access. Attendees who miss a webinar will have access to the online recordings.
-Registration
CDFA has provided two options to register for the Equitable Lending Learning Series.
Individual Sessions
CDFA Members: $200
Non-Members: $250
Full Series
Participants can register for the full series and receive a significant discount:
CDFA Members: $600
Non-Members: $850
These events will be recorded and archived for future access. Only attendees who purchase either an individual session or the full series will have access to the online recordings.
Group Rate
CDFA offers group discounts for organizations that wish to register multiple people. Contact CDFA for more information.
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