Lending To Grow America with Bryan Doxford

Today on Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter sits down with Bryan Doxford of Grow America to discuss innovative approaches to supporting small businesses, affordable housing, and underserved communities. Bryan shares insights into the mission-driven work of Grow America, including its role in providing capital through SBA loans, new market tax credits, and low-income housing initiatives. Bryan highlights how Grow America partners with credit unions, CDFIs, and community organizations to bridge funding gaps, offer economic development training, and help businesses access the capital they need to thrive.

They also delve into the current state of Certified Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), exploring trends in consolidation, grant reliance, and self-sufficiency. Bryan underscores the importance of collaboration, both between mission-aligned organizations and with credit unions, to maximize impact in underserved communities. From small business lending to affordable housing and workforce development, this episode provides actionable insights for credit unions and community-focused organizations seeking to expand their impact.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅How Grow America (formerly NDC) drives community impact

✅The evolving landscape of CDFIs

✅The national housing shortage & affordability crisis

✅How credit unions and CDFIs can partner for greater impact

Subscribe to Credit Union Conversations for the latest credit union trends and insights on loan volume and business lending! Connect with MBFS to boost your credit union’s growth today.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Bryan Doxford’s career journey: from credit unions to SBA lending

07:00 About Grow America’s mission and programs

09:00 Explanation of new market tax credits

11:00 Current state and future of CDFIs

17:100 Affordable housing initiatives and impact

21:00 Training programs and community partnerships

24:00 Access to capital and client community examples

25:00 How credit unions can collaborate with Grow America

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎Grow America partners with credit unions and CDFIs to provide access to SBA and non-SBA business loans, bridging capital gaps in underserved communities.

💎The future of CDFIs may involve strategic consolidation and increased self-sufficiency, balancing grant reliance with sustainable operations.

💎Affordable housing initiatives, new market tax credits, and technical training programs are critical tools for driving economic development nationwide.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Bryan Doxford is a finance and community development expert with over 20 years of experience working with credit unions, banks, and SBA lending programs. Currently leading lending initiatives at Grow America, Bryan focuses on expanding access to capital, affordable housing, and economic development in underserved communities across the U.S.

Grow America Website

Bryan Doxford LinkedIn

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Youth Banking, Family Banking, Digital Banking, How To Money...