The Problem
• Unfair lending practices.
• Small-business lending faces a serious diversity issue.
• Everyone is aware of the bank’s strict underwriting guidelines.
• 80% of loan applications are denied.
• Predatory lending.
The Solution
• We can tackle these issues with the right tools, education, and training.
• Young professionals from our community can help bridge the distrust toward banks.
• By getting trained, we can teach financial literacy and offer lending solutions.
• Empowered with knowledge, we can create jobs and businesses in our community.
What is The Cooperative Lender
The Cooperative Lender is “a group of people united to meet their common
• Socially
• Economically
• Disadvantaged
• Cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.”
When a co-operative does well financially or economically, the community it serves benefits, not just a small group of shareholders
Benefits of a Co-op Model
• One Member- One Share – One Vote
• Member and/or Employee Owned
• Practices group economics & Self funded
• Dividend payout to members
• Shared risk …Shared Rewards
• 90 % success rate
• Create & Retain Jobs in the Community
How Can I be a Member
• 1 Share = 1 vote = $1,000
• Unlimited # of Shares
• Dividend Payout(s)
• 1000 members @ $1k per share = $1 million