ABOUT US
The Mission Lenders Working Group (MLWG) is a coalition of SBA certified Community Advantage (CA) lenders that include SBA Certified Development Companies (CDCs), SBA Microloan Intermediaries and Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) from across the country with a shared commitment to financing, supporting, and sustaining underserved and underbanked small businesses.
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The CA initiative is designed to increase access to capital for small businesses located in low to moderate income areas by allowing community-based, mission-oriented lenders that are focused on economic development and job creation to participate in the 7(a) program; and by providing management and technical assistance to small businesses located in underserved communities on an as needed basis.
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Active members participate in convene monthly calls with Community Advantage lenders to provide peer support, engage with SBA program staff, and share feedback on CA program issues and updates. If you are interested in becoming a member you can contact the Feighan Team at hannah@missionlenders.net.
SBA CA LENDER REQUIREMENTS
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To be certified by SBA as a CA lender, an entity must be an SBA Certified Development Company (CDCs), a SBA Microlender, an SBA Intermediary Lender, or a Treasury-Certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI).
Once authorized by the SBA, at least 60% of a CA lender’s loans must be issued to businesses in an underserved market defined as:
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Veteran-owned businesses,
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New businesses/startups,
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low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities,
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Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities,
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Opportunity Zones,
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HUBZones,
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Rural areas
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Learn more about the history of SBA CA Program here.
