About this course

Entrepreneurs are essential to a thriving economy. They remain underserved by the mainstream financial system. That's where community development credit unions come in: to provide safe and affordable financial services and credit to entrepreneurs in their communities. Inclusiv is here to provide credit unions with sustainable, relevant, and effective small business lending solutions.

Inclusiv’s Small Business Capital Initiative helps lenders establish and scale business lending programs to better serve communities across the country. We aim to increase the number of community lenders that offer business loans, expanding the availability of affordable and high-impact small business loans. Upon completion of the course, lenders are equipped to position their credit unions as key stakeholders in and drivers of their local economies.

Upon completion of this training course, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify the opportunities, stakeholders, and actors involved in the implementation of expansion of a small business lending program in the CDCUs. 
  2. Understand the regulatory framework by NCUA and SBA Express, and the details involved in the implementation of a full cycle of small business lending. 
  3. Understand the processes and requirements needed to work with third party loan processors and Inclusiv-selected CUSO.
  4. Use guarantee programs and Inclusiv credit enhancement as tools for risk management.
  5.  Integrate the Loan Participation Marketplace as a buyer and seller.
  6. Identify the main components to manage small business lending portfolios.
  7. Apply the content of this program into an Implementation Plan tailored to the needs of their financial institution.  


Course Details & Eligibility

This is an instructor-led course that begins with several modules of asynchronous work, followed by 5 weeks of live class sessions, covering a total of 9 modules. Participants can expect to spend 3-5 hours per week on this course.

  • Open to:

    Inclusiv member credit unions who would like to start or expand their small business lending programs.

  • Participant limit:

    We recommend enrolling in teams of 2. A max of 3 participants per financial institution will be admitted.

  • Tuition:

    $2,000. Inclusiv member tuition: $1,200. Additional discounts may apply for credit unions under $100M in assets and groups. Contact [email protected] for details.

  • Language:

    Offered in English.

Upcoming Cohorts & Registration

The next cohort of Small Business Capital Initiative is to be announced. 

Course curriculum

    1. Navigating the LMS Platform

    1. Course Overview, Objectives, and Syllabus

    2. Curriculum Gallery Walk

    3. Meet Your Instructor & Administrator

    4. Course Expectations

    5. Technology Requirements and Support Services

    6. Profile Picture & Notification Preferences

    7. Tips to Maximize Your Mobile Experience

    8. Course Waiver

    9. Technical Assistance Opportunity

    10. Preview Capstone Project: Implementation Plan Guide

    11. Course Pre-Test

    12. Cohort Directory

    13. Welcome to Inclusiv's Small Business Capital Initiative Training

    1. Small Business Lending Capital Initiative Training

    2. Defining a Small Business

    3. How Do Small Businesses Shape Our Economy?

    4. Internal & External Stakeholders, Part 1: The Gloria Problem

    5. Internal & External Stakeholders, Part 2: The Gloria Problem

    6. Quiz: Reflection Questions

    7. Intro to Small Business Ecosystem

    8. Homework: Small Business Profiles

    9. Homework: Identify Key Stakeholders

    10. Toolbox: Pre-Work

    1. Who Are Our Borrowers? How Do We Work With Them?

    2. Theory of Change

    3. What Motivates Individuals to Become Entrepreneurs?

    4. The Local Multiplier Effect - Part 1

    5. The Local Multiplier Effect - Part 2

    6. Baby Boomers & Gen X

    7. Gen Y & Gen Z

    8. Homework: Identifying Small Business Owners / Borrowers

    9. Toolbox: Learning About The Borrower

    1. *Live Virtual Class Session* 10/15

    2. Recording: Live Session #1

    3. Padlet: Live Session #1

    4. Small Business Lending, Regulatory Framework & Risk Management

    5. Quiz: Knowledge Check (SBA quiz)

    6. Homework: Small Business Lending Criteria

    7. Homework: Credit Policy Reflection

    8. Homework: Define Parameters of Loan Products

    1. *Live Virtual Class Session* 10/22

    2. Recording: Live Session #2

    3. Slides: Lives Session #2

    4. Intro to Small Business Credit & Loan Intake

    5. 5 C's of Credit

    6. The Loan Lifecycle

    7. The Loan Lifecycle

    8. Site Visit Best Practices: Newark Walkthrough

    9. Loan Intake & Document Collection

    10. Credit Report Interpretations: Personal & Business

    11. Intro To Small Business Credit & Loan Intake

    12. Quiz: Credit and Business Formation

    13. Homework: Credit Union Policy Best Practices

    14. Toolbox: Loan Intake

About this course

  • Non-member price: $2,000
  • Member price: $1,200
  • Additional discounts available for small CUs and groups

Instructor

Azra Samiee

Director of Small Business Lending and Development

Azra has over 15 years of experience working in community-based organizations dedicated to addressing inequity through programs that increase accessibility and mobility for under-resourced communities. She began her career in the CDFI space at Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union and Grow Brooklyn, giving her deep insights into the power of engagement strategies in driving an organization’s mission forward. Azra also served as the Senior Director of the Small Business Program at Hot Bread Kitchen, where she led the development and implementation of multiple programs supporting entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses, collaborating closely with a network of CDFI partners including credit union. She also previously led Community and Member Engagement, driving strategic partnerships with community organizations and city agencies. In her role with Inclusiv, Azra supports implementing Business Forward program in addition to loan participation and scaling small business lending throughout Inclusiv’s network.