Guides
Guides to CDFI lending
10 guides. The data-led ones count what 865 certified CDFIs say on their own websites; the rest explain the CDFI Fund and SBA rules.
- What is a CDFI?Certification, the five types, Native CDFIs.
- CDFI vs SBA lendersWhere they overlap and how to find each.
- How to find and apply to a CDFIService areas, eligibility, what to ask.
- CDFI loans with bad credit22 CDFIs say they have no minimum credit score; 28 state one (median 620). Lines quoted from lender websites, with credit-builder and small-dollar options.
- Credit-builder loans at CDFIs117 certified CDFIs describe a credit-builder loan on their website. Stated amounts (median $2,000), who offers them, and how they work, per the CFPB.
- How big are CDFI microloans?Stated microloan limits from 89 CDFIs: 55 cap at $50,000, median maximum $50,000. Distribution, minimums, lender types, and the SBA comparison.
- CDFI vs credit union vs bankA CDFI is a certification, not a lender type. What 865 verified CDFI credit unions, banks and loan funds say they lend, plus NCUA and FDIC rules.
- ITIN and Spanish-language CDFI lenders33 certified CDFIs say they accept ITINs for loans and 139 CDFIs offer service in Spanish. Lines quoted from lender sites, plus the IRS definition.
- CDFI mortgages and down-payment help397 certified CDFIs describe mortgages; 20 describe down-payment or closing-cost help, quoted from their websites, by lender type and state.
- CDFI loan interest ratesInterest rates, repayment terms and eligibility rules published by 339 certified CDFIs on their own websites, by loan type, with quotes and dates.
Data reports
- State of CDFI lending 2026Who the certified CDFIs are, what they lend, where and how much: website, CDFI Fund, SBA, HMDA, IRS and FDIC/NCUA data in one report.
- CDFI Fund awards to certified CDFIsThe largest award recipients, by state and by program, 1996–2025.
Every number is computed from the CDFI Fund list (21 Oct 2026) and lender websites read 29 Oct 2026–4 Nov 2026. Method: About.
Source: CDFI Atlas, cdfiatlas.com/guides/. © 2026 CDFI Atlas. Quoting with a link is welcome; republishing the pages or the compiled data is not (terms of use).