-Overview
The Intro Revolving Loan Fund WebCourse offers an in-depth look at RLF program development, implementation, and management. This course demonstrates how an RLF program can complement your economic development strategy, encourage investment, and assist traditionally underserved businesses. During this course, attendees learn the essential elements needed to operate a successful RLF program and discuss programs making a difference in communities throughout the country.
This course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Join us online, and start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Course Objectives
- Learn about how RLFs complement and enhance an economic development strategy
- Interact with leaders in the revolving loan fund industry
- Discuss best practice principles for sound RLF management
- Dissect a loan process from start to finish
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Topics Covered
- How RLFs enhance your economic development strategy
- How to design and establish an RLF
- How to manage, market, and promote an RLF program
- The decision making process
- Pre- and post-loan closing
- What to do when the deal goes bad
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Who Should Attend?
- Loan fund managers
- Economic development professionals
- Community development professionals
- Elected officials
- Government and nonprofit finance officers
- Corporate trustees
- Legal counsel
- Underwriters
- Commercial bankers
- Accountants
- Financial advisors
- Policymakers
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Course Advisor
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Fawn Zimmerman
Council of Development Finance Agencies
Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services
Fawn Zimmerman is the Managing Director of CDFA Advisory Services with the Knowledge & Networks Division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), where she leads initiatives to enhance capital access for underserved communities. She ... oversees the CDFA Equitable Capital Loan Guarantee Program, aimed at increasing funding for underserved small businesses, and the CDFA–NASDA Foundation Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Access to Capital Program, which focuses on building a comprehensive agricultural resource database, offering hands-on technical assistance, and developing culturally relevant programs to boost investment in socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. In her role, Fawn also manages the advisory services team at CDFA, assisting development finance agencies with strategic planning, finance program development, and obtaining CDFI certification. Fawn holds a BA with honors in Communication from The Ohio State University and has pursued postgraduate studies at Ohio University. Her career is deeply intertwined with her philanthropic goals, and she is committed to leveraging her creative, academic, and professional experiences to drive positive changes in the development finance sector. (More)
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-Agenda
Day 1
| 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM |
Welcome and Overview
Welcome to the course! This session will introduce CDFA, explain how to use the online software, and discuss the framework for the two-day Intro Revolving Loan Fund WebCourse.
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| 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM |
Understanding Revolving Loan Funds
A revolving loan fund is a self-replenishing pool of money, utilizing interest and principal payments on old loans to issue new ones. They come in many shapes and sizes and support a variety of economic development activities. The start of the Intro Revolving Loan Fund WebCourse will establish the foundation for future sessions by outlining the basic principles of revolving loan funds.
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| 1:15 PM - 3:00 PM |
Designing Your RLF
This session will discuss how to establish an RLF based on your community’s needs and the parameters of your funding partner. RLFs are designed to address unmet lending needs, which means understanding the gaps in order to effectively increase access to capital. The design of your RLF will also depend on the source of funding, which may be focused on serving certain types of businesses and projects.
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| 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM |
Break
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| 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM |
RLF Management
Managing an RLF is multi-faceted and requires clear operations and governance. This session will discuss the skills that fund managers and support staff need to be successful. It will also cover the process of developing a policy manual and establishing a Loan Review Committee.
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| 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM |
Marketing Your RLF Program
Dedicating time and resources to market your RLF is key for reaching your target borrowers. This session will highlight methods used to promote your program, including collaborative partnerships with other organizations that can help your RLF succeed.
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| 5:00 PM |
Adjourn
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Day 2
| 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM |
Revisiting Day 1
The first day of the Intro Revolving Loan Fund WebCourse focused on RLFs from a broad perspective and introduced the basic concepts and players involved. At the start of Day 2, we will review some important terms and set the stage for the remaining sessions focused on the technical aspects of RLFs.
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| 12:15 PM - 1:45 PM |
The Decision Process
The underwriting and financial analysis of loan applications are key elements of all successful RLF programs. The ability to collect and analyze the information provided by the potential borrower will be discussed in detail during this session. This session will cover the information needed to conduct both program and project analysis. In addition, this session will cover the financial analysis process and necessary documentation materials, such as the profit-loss and cash flow statements. Finally, the session will conclude by examining the loan decision and presentation processes.
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| 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM |
Break
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| 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Pre- and Post-Loan Closing
Awarding the loan is just the beginning. This session will cover pre- and post-loan closing processes, documentation, and file preparation. Also discussed is the servicing process that can help assure quick detection of issues within the RLF portfolio.
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| 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM |
When the Deal Goes Bad
Even the strongest RLF programs that make every attempt to craft a good loan will have deals that go bad. How your fund handles loans and borrowers during this difficult period can help minimize losses and maximize recovery. This session will offer strategies and suggestions for addressing failed deals.
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| 3:45 PM - 4:00 PM |
Break
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| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Innovative RLFs
During the last session of the course, hear representatives from innovative RLF programs explain their operations, philosophies, and lessons learned from years of experience.
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| 5:00 PM |
Adjourn
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-Location
The Intro Revolving Loan Fund WebCourse will take place on Zoom. The course will meet each day from 12:00-5:00 PM Eastern. Attendees must have access to a computer and the internet to attend the course.
-Registration
This training course qualifies for the CDFA Training Institute's
Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) Program. Start down the road to personal and professional advancement today.
Scholarships are available to attend this event. Learn more about the
CDFA Scholarship Program,
and submit your application today.
CDFA permits only one person to log in and participate in the course. If multiple people are accessing the course without paying to attend, we will terminate the connection and access. CDFA offers group discounts for organizations that wish to register multiple people.
Register by ____ for Early Bird Rates.
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CDFA Member: $550
Non-Member: $825
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CDFA Member: $600
Non-Member: $875
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