Native CDFI Network

The next Native CDFI Network (NCN) Policy Webinar will take place on Thursday, September 24, where NCN will delve deeper into the new Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Proposed Rule issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

During the webinar, NCN CEO Pete Upton and Policy Lead Ian Record will walk Native CDFI leaders and staff and other Indian Country stakeholders through the specific provisions of the Proposed Rule that will have the greatest adverse impacts on Native communities and specifically Native CDFIs. NCN also will share an overview of (1) its joint comment letter that will be made available for sign-on by Native CDFIs and other concerned organizations, and (2) a template comment letter they can adapt to tell their own particular stories about how the Proposed Rule will impact the Native communities they serve. The comment deadline on the CRA Proposed Rule is October 13, 2026.

Learn more and register for the event: https://loom.ly/rHgv790

As NCN continues to expand our advocacy and strengthen the ways we support our members, Native CDFIs, and the communities they serve, we’re proud to recognize the team that helps make this work possible.

Pamela Boivin has been promoted to National Program Director, Stephanie Prater to Director of Finance & Administration, and Jodi Fisher to Programs Manager. We’re also celebrating Jodi on recently earning her MBA from Western Governors University!

Our team’s leadership, experience, and dedication help NCN continue to strengthen our work and advance the priorities of Native CDFIs across Indian Country.

https://nativecdfi.net/blog/2026/09/10/ncn-team-updates-celebrating-growth-new-chapters/

We’re excited to welcome Clifford Rosenthal as a guest speaker at NCN’s 7th Annual Policy & Capacity Building Summit, December 6–9 in Washington, DC!

A longtime leader in community development finance, Clifford brings decades of experience and a unique perspective on the history and evolution of the CDFI movement and the CDFI Fund—from its early years to the changes shaping the industry today.

He’s also the author of the newly released Community Development Finance: COVID, George Floyd, and the Fight for Equity, 2016–2025, continuing his documentation of the people, policies, and pivotal moments that have shaped community development finance.

We look forward to bringing his historical perspective to the Summit as we consider where the CDFI industry has been—and where Native CDFIs are headed next.

https://nativecdfi.net/7th-annual-policy-capacity-building-summit/

Native CDFIs know their communities. Banks have capital. But bringing the two together takes more than a grant.

In the latest episode of Difference Makers, Wells Fargo’s Tim Rios joins hosts Brian Edwards and Pete Upton for a conversation about what successful bank–Native CDFI partnerships actually require.

They talk about patient capital, commercial financing and the role relationships play in moving capital — including why what banks sometimes perceive as “risk” may actually be a lack of understanding of Native markets.

The conversation also looks at Wells Fargo’s support for emerging Native CDFIs in California and Nevada and what it takes to build partnerships that grow with Native financial institutions.

Beyond the Grants explores what can happen when banks move from funders to long-term financial partners.
https://nativecdfi.net/blog/2026/08/20/episode-3-9-beyond-the-grants/

"Native CDFIs play a unique and essential role. They understand their communities and cultures. They reach people who have historically been left out of the financial mainstream… they’re often the only financial institution working in tribal areas to support Native entrepreneurs and expand access to affordable housing.” – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds / R-South Dakota and speaker at NCN’s 2025 Annual Summit

Join us in Washington, DC in December for a chance to hear from congressional leaders, industry partners, and Native CDFI innovators.
https://nativecdfi.net/7th-annual-policy-capacity-building-summit/

Join NCN on Thursday, August 27 for an important conversation on proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and what they could mean for lending and investment in Indian Country and to Native CDFIs.

NCN will be joined by Kevin Hill, Senior Policy Advisor at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), to break down the FDIC and OCC Proposed Rule, including changes to bank size thresholds and other provisions that could reduce incentives for banks to invest in Native communities—particularly in rural areas.

Learn what is being proposed, why it matters to Native CDFIs, and how the Native CDFI industry can engage as the federal comment process moves forward.

Register today for this free NCN Live webinar.
https://loom.ly/PW7ay44

NCN's Q2 2026 Impact Report is available! Inside the report, you'll find updates on NCN's policy and advocacy efforts, regional convenings in Montana and California, national partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and community engagement activities that continue to strengthen the Native CDFI movement.

https://nativecdfi.net/policy-advocacy-impact-reports/

The U.S. Senate officially passed the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government through December 11, 2026, including a key provision that would delay implementation of OMB's proposed overhaul of the Uniform Guidance for federal awards.

This delay is an important step for Native CDFIs, Tribal Nations, and other Native-serving organizations, which have raised concerns that the proposed rule could weaken the effectiveness of federal programs that support long-term community and economic development.

https://loom.ly/Udc0eu4

The U.S. Senate has released the text of a Continuing Resolution (CR), an important step that would keep the federal government operating while Congress continues negotiations on FY 2027 appropriations.

For Native CDFIs, a CR helps avoid an immediate funding lapse, but it also extends uncertainty around long-term investments in the CDFI Fund and the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program.

The legislation would also block implementation of OMB's proposed federal grants rule through December 11, 2026. The proposed rule would make significant changes to the federal awards process – including allowing political appointees to approve certain federal grants – and has raised concerns across Indian Country.

NCN has consistently advocated for delaying and revising the proposed rule to protect Native CDFIs and ensure Tribal Nations and Native-serving organizations have meaningful opportunities for consultation. The Senate's language represents an important step while Congress continues negotiations on FY 2027 appropriations.

https://nativecdfi.net/blog/2026/08/03/senate-releases-continuing-resolution-text/

The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) has officially launched the Economic Advancement Grants for Local Empowerment (EAGLE) program, replacing the longstanding SEDS and SEDS-AK grant programs. The program supports “socioeconomic and cultural success for Native communities through business creation in regenerative agriculture, artificial intelligence, tribal energy sovereignty, and human capital development.”

Native CDFIs are listed among the eligible groups of applicants for the new EAGLE grants. ANA expects to issue a total of 31 grants for FY 2026, with awards ranging from $300,000 to $1 million.

https://loom.ly/tPsM040