cdfa
The
cdfa
represents
Community Development Finance
Institutions (CDFIs),
which provide
loans and support
to help
people and businesses to
create prosperity in their
communities.
Read more about CDFA

 
 
What's new
High interest lenders' customers are not borrowing for pleasure or leisure, but for essentials - and are being exploited, says CDFA chief

People struggling to pay for food and bills caught in a payday loans debt trap

High interest lenders' customers are not borrowing for pleasure or leisure, but for essentials - and are being exploited, says CDFA chief
More outrage in the national press about Wonga's entry into the business loans market. But throughout this coverage, journalists have failed to point out that ethical alternatives such as community finance providers do exist.

Outraged journalists: community finance myopia will fuel Wonga’s profits

More outrage in the national press about Wonga's entry into the business loans market. But throughout this coverage, journalists have failed to point out that ethical alternatives such as community finance providers do exist.
Ben Hughes, CDFA chief executive today said news that high-cost lender Wonga is starting to offer loans to businesses confirms CDFA analysis of just how large the gap in mainstream finance is - and shows that the Government needs to plough more support into community finance.

Now Wonga wants business’ blood sweat and tears

Ben Hughes, CDFA chief executive today said news that high-cost lender Wonga is starting to offer loans to businesses confirms CDFA analysis of just how large the gap in mainstream finance is - and shows that the Government needs to plough more support into community finance.
Community Investment Tax Relief should be extended, not capped. CDFA says including CITR in the tax relief cap will suppress social investment and voices its support for the Give it Back George campaign.

Give it back, George: CITR needs to be extended, not capped

Community Investment Tax Relief should be extended, not capped. CDFA says including CITR in the tax relief cap will suppress social investment and voices its support for the Give it Back George campaign.
CDFA's chief Ben Hughes welcomed the potential for Big Society Capital to invest in CDFIs as social investment finance intermediaries

From cdfi to sifi: is Big Society Capital the answer?

CDFA's chief Ben Hughes welcomed the potential for Big Society Capital to invest in CDFIs as social investment finance intermediaries
The budget and recent government measures address only larger businesses' needs. Government initiatives neglect the micro-enterprises that comprise 95% of the UK's businesses

A budget for business? Not if you’re a microenterprise

The budget and recent government measures address only larger businesses' needs. Government initiatives neglect the micro-enterprises that comprise 95% of the UK's businesses
Help to raise the profile of community finance and create a more just financial system.

JUST Finance blog: how you can help

Help to raise the profile of community finance and create a more just financial system.
FSB’s new report, ‘Alt+ Finance’ | CDFI on BBC | OFT scrutiny of payday lenders

Spotlight adds to JUST Finance momentum

FSB’s new report, ‘Alt+ Finance’ | CDFI on BBC | OFT scrutiny of payday lenders
1 February 2012. Download our bold new vision for the community finance sector

JUST Finance: A new vision for community finance

1 February 2012. Download our bold new vision for the community finance sector

BCC say results encouraging but access to finance a real problem for many firms

We need full disclosure to fully understand unmet need for finance

Football fans want Wonga ads removed from club websites

What we do
Professional Development
Professional Development
We run a range of courses throughout the year to help boost skills in the CDFI sector.

Change Matters
Change Matters
Find out how the Change Matters performance framework is helping CDFIs to move onwards and upwards.
Join us
What's new

Become a cdfa member
In a time of political upheaval and with a fragile economy, it is more important than ever that the CDFI sector speaks with a strong, unified voice.