WomenVenture has officially received approval of our Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) recertification. This is an important milestone and affirmation of the work we do every day to expand access to affordable capital and economic opportunity. As we celebrate 25 years as a CDFI, this recertification positions us to continue fueling our mission of helping entrepreneurs and small business owners build profitable and sustainable businesses.
Federal regulators have proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)—the law that helps encourage banks to meet the credit and investment needs of the communities they serve. CRA has been an important driver of bank partnerships with CDFIs like WomenVenture, helping bring private capital and other resources into communities and small businesses that have historically had less access. Over the summer, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking around the CRA, and that notice has been entered into the Federal Register, with an open comment period now.
If adopted, these rules could significantly reduce incentives for banks to invest in low- and moderate-income communities and partner with CDFIs. One of the key proposals is to raise the asset-size thresholds for bank designations. Banks with $10 billion or less in assets would be subject to fewer data collection, maintenance, and reporting requirements. Additional proposals would restrict CRA incentives for unrestricted operating grants, organizational capacity building, technology investments, staff development, national or regional intermediaries, and conferences.
We support efforts to make CRA clear and effective, but we are concerned that elements of the proposed changes could weaken community investment and bank-CDFI partnerships at a time when the need for capital is growing.
Our Response
WomenVenture is joining Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) and CDFIs across the country in raising these concerns. Before the October 13 public comment deadline, we are asking that our community supports this advocacy by:
- Submitting a formal comment letter outlining the potential impact on the entrepreneurs and communities we serve.
- Use our communications channels to explain the CRA in plain language and raise awareness about why this issue matters to small businesses.
- Continue working alongside our CDFI partners, coalitions, and national networks to advocate for a strong and consistent CRA framework.
There is something especially meaningful about receiving our CDFI recertification at this moment. For 25 years, WomenVenture has demonstrated what is possible when capital reaches entrepreneurs who have the talent, grit, and ideas to build but haven’t always had equal access to the capital resources to do it. Our recertification recognizes that work. Our advocacy helps protect the ecosystem that makes more of it possible.
Instructions for Submitting Your Own CRA Comment Letter by October 13, 2026:
- As much as you can, customize the following template by using your organization’s letterhead, organization’s details, and filling in the yellow highlighted areas. Use as much of your own stories and impact data as possible. Comment letters that are too similar will be tallied by the agencies as one letter so please do your best to make your letter as unique as possible.
2. Electronically submit through the Federal Register. Click on “Submit a Public Comment”.
3. Want to go the extra mile for CDFIs? Contact your legislator and advocate on a local level.
Thank you for sharing your voice and helping preserve the impact of CDFIs in our communities.
