In the statute establishing Duty to Serve (“DTS”) in 2009, Congress identified “grants and investments” as one of four explicit criteria that the Federal Housing Finance Agency must use in evaluating Enterprise DTS performance, along with outreach, loan product development, and loan purchases. By including investments as one of four statutory DTS evaluation factors, Congress has clearly affirmed that the Enterprises have the authority to make targeted DTS equity investments (12 U.S.C. § 4565(d)(2)(D) 2020). Nevertheless, our understanding is that under the current reading of the statute by FHFA’s general counsel, the Enterprises are prohibited from making targeted equity investments (TEIs). We believe FHFA has the authority to also permit TEIs as part of an Equitable Housing Finance Plan.

Abril 2020, inglês

Donor-advised funds present a unique opportunity to promote impact investing into the local community, including Community Development Financial Institutions that serve their local communities.

Abril 2020, inglês

As currently being implemented by the Small Business Administration, the loans made available through the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, part of the CARES Act recently enacted to address the COVID-19 crisis, are likely to significantly bypass smaller small businesses and those that are minority- or women-owned.

Março 2019, inglês

The Opportunity Zones legislation was designed to mobilize new levels of capital into low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities – areas that have historically been overlooked and underserved by mainstream capital markets. As longstanding financial partners to LMI communities, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), it would seem, are positioned to play a pivotal role.

Janeiro 2019, inglês

Outubro 2017, inglês

Business owners seeking to start or expand a small business have limited options for financing. They can go to a bank for a loan, but they may have trouble qualifying for the loan due to the age of the business, absence of collateral, lack of equity in the business, thin margins, or other factors.