The Data Behind the Lending Landscape: Why Engaging Regional Financial Institutions Matters

As federal budget cuts create headwinds for affordable housing and community development projects, local nonprofits and coalitions may want to look to data, relationship-building and regional financial institutions to move projects forward. Using Metro Nashville as a case study, NCRC’s Jason Richardson will illustrate how mortgage lending evolved over the past four decades and where it took place last year. He will close by analyzing community development lending in Music City as well. Oscar Perry Abello, author of The Banks We Deserve, will then reveal how the data shows that regional and community banks are responsible for 73% of construction and development lending from banks and what that means for nonprofits, CDCs and CDFIs seeking local investment partners. Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Company’s Chief Operating/Credit Officer Corey Hammonds will provide a candid look at how banks evaluate community development projects today, including what helps proposals gain traction and what causes institutions to walk away. Together, community leaders will see how data will help them better understand today’s lending landscape, identify where opportunity still exists and strengthen their approach to engaging financial institutions in a rapidly changing environment. NCRC member Monchiere’ Holmes-Jones, CEO and Chief Impact Officer at MOJO Impact Collective, will moderate the session.