Publications

Moderator: Joshua Sledge, Center for Financial Services Innovation
Panelists: Sheri Flanigan-Vazquez, Justine Peterson; Bob Annibale, Citi; Steve Zuckerman Self-Help; and Jose Quinonez, Mission Asset Fund

This session covers new consumer financial services products that CDFIs have developed to address individuals and families that are underserved by conventional financial institutions. Drawing on two case studies developed for the Scaling Up Microfinance curriculum, the session focuses on products such as small dollar loans and secured credit cards, and the processes that CDFIs have undertaken to develop successful products.

Track: Consumer Finance 
Level: General 

Moderator: Melanie Stern, National Federation of CDCUs 
Panelists: Alex Horowitz, Pew Charitable Trusts; Nicole Pendelton, Freedom First FCU; and Sarah Marshall, North Side FCU

The payday industry and other high-cost lenders continue to drain wealth from communities and individuals, taking advantage of the small dollar credit needs of low and moderate income borrowers. This workshop will explore Pew Charitable Trust’s cutting-edge research on the reasons people borrow from payday lenders, community responses, and innovative, responsible alternative loan product solutions that credit unions can offer to this population.

Track: Credit Union
Level: General 

Presenters: Cheryl Neas, Opportunity Finance Network and Laura Buxbaum, CEI

In the five years since Congress granted non-regulated CDFIs membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank system, CDFI participation in the System has grown each year. The CDFI industry’s work with FHLBs and our approaches to overcoming obstacles have also evolved. Join a discussion of successes and challenges, talk about public policy strategies, and find out how you can best participate in the FHLB system and the industry network around it.

Track: Financial Resources
Level: Advanced

Moderator: Brandee McHale, Citi 
Panelists: Tim Ogden, Financial Access Initiative; Nancy Castillo, U.S. Financial Diaries; and Joshua Sledge, CFSI 

Take a timely look at how low- and moderate-income families are managing their financial lives. Lead Investigators from the US Financial Diaries project will present data gathered from the field. Attendees will get an intimate look at the finances of three struggling households. The audience will have the opportunity to brainstorm practical solutions for the households in discussion.

Track: Consumer Finance 
Level: General

Presenters: Joyce Klein, Leslie Hoffman, and Luz Gomez, FIELD at the Aspen Institute

This session draws upon the learnings of the Underwriting and Collections Mentored Working Groups, which were part of the CDFI Fund’s Capacity Building Initiative, Scaling Up Microfinance. These groups explored strategies for advancing scale, while at the same time focusing on core principles of risk management – so that growth can be sustained. Central to this was exploring how organizations can build a robust culture of repayment within their lending process. The Underwriting Mentored Groups looked closely at the issues of scale, efficiency, technology, and team that can impact underwriting approaches in a growing program. The Collections Mentored Working Group broke down the path to loan repayment, examining ways to build strong portfolio performance from initial outreach activities and messages through post-default recovery. The group examined the role of people, process, and technology at each step along that repayment path. Join in this session to hear about these and other key learnings about how to balance growth with portfolio quality within your micro enterprise lending program.

Track: Microenterprise Finance
Level: General

Presenters: Jamie Chase, CU Strategic Planning; Helen Godfrey-Smith, Shreveport Federal Credit Union; and Cynthia Campbell, Filene Research Institute 

Credit unions with thriving CDFI programs significantly outperform their peers. The financial trends of these “star credit unions” provide insights into effective practices for emerging CDFIs and even those with established programs. Cynthia Campbell, Director of Innovation at the Filene Research Institute, is an expert on star credit unions. Filene's Thriving Credit Unions research trilogy was the foundation of CU Strategic Planning's three-year analysis of credit unions with thriving CDFI programs. Campbell will interview CU Strategic Planning Founder Jamie Chase her findings. Helen Godfrey-Smith, President & CEO of Shreveport FCU, will answer questions about Shreveport FCU's key moves and strategic plan leading to its becoming a top performer: in the three years since launching its CDFI program, Shreveport FCU's ROA, and loan and membership growth rates have been more than double its peers. Attendees will leave with actionable strategic and tactical insights to becoming a star credit union with a thriving CDFI program.

Track: Credit Union
Level: General

Presenters: Lolita Sereleas, FUND Consulting

Based on current research conducted under the Goldman Sachs10,000 Small Businesses CDFI Growth Collaborative, this session provides best practices in CDFIs' small business loan deployment strategies. Representatives of FUND Consulting will present the results of their research, including differences between regulated and non-regulated CDFIs' practices. CDFIs with strong deployment practices -- and results -- will share their secrets to success. Find out ways that your CDFI can position itself to reach more small businesses for greater community impact.

Track: Small Business
Level: Intermediate

Moderator: Jeffrey Dekro, The Isaiah Fund
Speakers: Mark Regier, Everence Financial; Wayne Meyer, New Jersey Community Capital; Liza Cowan, JPMorgan Chase; and Alan Branson, Hope Credit Union

The goal of this session is to foster a discussion about institutionalizing the role of CDFIs in disaster response. CDFIs have played important roles in large-scale disaster recovery efforts in at-risk communities, working with partners ranging from mainstream financial institutions to faith-based philanthropies. CDFIs' in-depth knowledge of local communities and markets, experience leveraging scarce resources from many different partners, and ability to provide innovative, flexible approaches to the unique needs of at-risk communities are assets that can strengthen the effectiveness of any disaster response effort. Drawing on lessons learned from two large-scale disasters, Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina, representatives from CDFIs (New Jersey Community Capital and Hope Enterprise Corporation), mainstream financial institutions (JPMorgan Chase), and faith-based investment organizations (The Isaiah Fund and Everence Financial) will share their experiences and recommendations to kick-off this important industry discussion.

Special Session: Disaster Response
Level: General

Presenters: Chasity Savage and Lisa Wagner, Oweesta

This workshop focuses on the all-important process of preparing your funding applications. We'll examine the basic building blocks of successful funding applications and provide strategies for avoiding common mistakes. You'll get tips on creating and maintaining the kind of information you'll need to complete your funding applications and learn systems to keep you organized and ready to apply for funding at any time of the year. Whether you're applying for Federal or private funds, this session provides valuable information for both.

Track: Native CDFIs
Level: General

Presenters: Jeremy Nowak, J. Nowak & Associates, Jeffrey Brown and Donna Leuchten, UpLift Solutions 

A staggering 24.6 million Americans (8% of the U.S. population) live in “food deserts,” underserved, economically distressed urban or rural areas that lack grocery stores or easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables. As a result, these communities have increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and other public health challenges. High-quality, full-service supermarkets improve the health and economic well-being of these communities. Hear from UpLift Solution and one of the leading supermarket operators on the innovative work that is being done nationally and the remaining opportunities around healthy food financing.

Track: Healthy Foods 
Level: General