Are you a small or medium-sized business owner in search of financing options? Whether you’re looking for a line of credit, term loan, commercial mortgage or another financing solution, Bridge built by Citi can help you explore options to make an informed decision. The platform has over 80 participating lenders, including community and regional banks, Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), making it easier to find the lender that could be a good fit for your needs. Let’s break down each kind of lender.
What is a CDFI?
CDFIs are financial institutions that focus on providing affordable financing to underserved communities and businesses. CDFIs are often organized as a non-profit loan fund (or "CDFI Loan Funds"), with other CDFI structures being credit unions, local & regional banks, or venture capital funds.
CDFI Loan Funds have more flexible credit requirements than traditional bank lenders. While traditional banks may be more widely known with branches and ATM locations throughout their communities, CDFIs can be a valuable option for small and medium sized business owners looking for flexible financing options.
What is a MDI?
MDI is a term used to describe a financial institution, typically a community bank, that is either majority owned or controlled by minority individuals. These institutions provide services and financial resources to their target communities, which are often underserved. Bridge built by Citi is committed to working with MDIs to increase access to capital and credit in these communities and to help support minority populations. The platform currently has Black or African American, Hispanic American, Asian or Pacific Islander American, Native American or Alaskan Native American, and Multi-racial American banks participating, as well as several women-owned banks.
Community Banks & Regional Banks
Banking institutions that play a crucial role in providing small-and-medium sized businesses with essential financial services and a source of credit that is critical to economic growth and job expansion. The Federal Reserve defines Community Banks as those with less than $10 billion in assets, and Regional Banks as those with total assets between $10 billion and $100 billion.
