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Shutdown’s End Brings Relief for CDFI Fund

Our new report explores how credit unions can move from being merely relevant to truly compelling by shifting from product to purpose, policy to possibility, and control to empowerment.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty in Washington surrounding the CDFI Fund. But even now, new data and steady leadership tell a different story: one of proven impact, financial strength, and lasting community value.

The name itself sounds safe, even gentle. “Retreat” promises time to think, to step back, to breathe. Yet in an operating environment that feels anything but gentle, it is fair to ask whether that word still serves the moment. The economy does not pause for reflection, and neither do competitors who now move with the precision of code and the speed of a click. Maybe it is time the word caught up.

Filene’s latest report, “Amplifying Your Credit Union’s Mission: Financial and Community Impacts of Being a CDFI,” answers that with solid data. It finds that CDFI-certified credit unions outperform non-certified peers on nearly every key metric—without a corresponding rise in delinquencies or charge-offs.

We’re hosting two webinars this month that will give credit unions the lowdown on the CDFI Fund and answer any questions you might have. Register today!