About the 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.

Lead the Charge in Local Economic Support

Equip your credit union with the tools and resources to expand fair, affordable lending to small businesses. This training empowers you to take the lead in supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening your community’s economic foundation.

Become a Steward of Economic Development 

Learn how to better support small businesses in your community. This training will help you make smarter lending decisions, reach more entrepreneurs, and play a key role in local economic growth.

Learn From Industry Experts & Get Real-World Guidance

Engage with industry leaders and gain insights on operations, community engagement, risk management, and more. Gain the tools needed to launch and expand your small business lending program.

Meet the Instructor

Azra Samiee has over 17 years of experience in community engagement and program design. In her current role, she helps credit unions design and expand their small business loan portfolios through the Small Business Capital Initiative training, the Secondary Market: Loan Participation platform, and the Inclusiv Business Forward program. Throughout her career, Azra has built and scaled programs at CDFIs, workforce development organizations, and community-based nonprofits, all with a focus on advancing economic mobility and expanding access to capital.

Curriculum

12 Chapters · 87 Lessons

  1. 1

    Introduction to the Thinkific Learning Platform

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Navigating the LMS Platform

  2. 2

    Pre-Work Essentials

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Overview, Objectives, and Syllabus

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Curriculum Gallery Walk

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Meet Your Instructor & Administrator

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      Course Expectations

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      Technology Requirements and Support Services

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      Profile Picture & Notification Preferences

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Tips to Maximize Your Mobile Experience

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      Course Waiver

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Technical Assistance Opportunity

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      Preview Capstone Project: Implementation Plan Guide

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Pre-Test

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Cohort Directory

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Inclusiv's Small Business Capital Initiative Training

  3. 3

    Module 1: Introduction to the Small Business Ecosystem

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Small Business Lending Capital Initiative Training

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Defining a Small Business

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      How Do Small Businesses Shape Our Economy?

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Internal & External Stakeholders, Part 1: The Gloria Problem

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      Internal & External Stakeholders, Part 2: The Gloria Problem

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      Quiz: Reflection Questions

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      Intro to Small Business Ecosystem

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      Homework: Small Business Profiles

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      Homework: Identify Key Stakeholders

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      Toolbox: Pre-Work

  4. 4

    Module 2: Learning about the Borrower

    1. (Included in full purchase)

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

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      Theory of Change

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      What Motivates Individuals to Become Entrepreneurs?

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      The Local Multiplier Effect - Part 1

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      The Local Multiplier Effect - Part 2

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      Baby Boomers & Gen X

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      Gen Y & Gen Z

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      Homework: Identifying Small Business Owners / Borrowers

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      Toolbox: Learning About The Borrower

  5. 5

    Module 3: Small Business Lending, Regulatory Framework and Risk Management Strategies

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      *Live Virtual Class Session* 10/15

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Recording: Live Session #1

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      Padlet: Live Session #1

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      Small Business Lending, Regulatory Framework & Risk Management

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      Quiz: Knowledge Check (SBA quiz)

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Homework: Small Business Lending Criteria

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      Homework: Credit Policy Reflection

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      Homework: Define Parameters of Loan Products

  6. 6

    Module 4: Loan Lifecycle

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      *Live Virtual Class Session* 10/22

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Recording: Live Session #2

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      Slides: Lives Session #2

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      Intro to Small Business Credit & Loan Intake

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      5 C's of Credit

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      The Loan Lifecycle

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      The Loan Lifecycle

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      Site Visit Best Practices: Newark Walkthrough

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      Loan Intake & Document Collection

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      Credit Report Interpretations: Personal & Business

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Intro To Small Business Credit & Loan Intake

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Credit and Business Formation

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Homework: Credit Union Policy Best Practices

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Toolbox: Loan Intake

  7. 7

    Module 5: Loan Calculator & Risk Rating

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Business Document Overview - Part 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Business Document Overview - Part 2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Personal Document Overview

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Inclusiv Loan Calculator Tool

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Inclusiv Loan Calculator - Part 1

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Inclusiv Loan Calculator - Part 2

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      Inclusiv Loan Calculator - Part 3

  8. 8

    Module 6: Pricing and Portfolio Risk Management

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      *Live Virtual Class Session* 11/5

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Slides: Live Session #3

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Recording: Live Session #3

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Pricing and Portfolio Risk Management

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      Risk Rating Matrix

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Homework: Risk Based Loan Pricing & Risk Rating Criteria

  9. 9

    Module 7: Credit Union Service Providers

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      *Live Virtual Session* 11/12

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Slides: Live Session #4

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Mark Ritter's Presentation: Live Session #4

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Recording: Live Session #4

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      CUSO Resources

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Homework: Loan Portfolio Management

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      Homework: Risk Rating & Risk Pricing

  10. 10

    Module 8: Inclusiv's Secondary Market

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      *Live Virtual Class Session* 11/19

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Slides: Live Virtual Session #5

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Recording: Live Virtual Session #5

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Inclusiv's Loan Participation Market Place

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Inclusiv Business Forward

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      RRM Portfolio Template

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      *TBA Loan Participation Marketplace + Loan Loss Fund

  11. 11

    Module 9: Implementation Plan Presentations

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      *Live Virtual Class Session* 12/3

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Resources: Implementation Plan due 11/30

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit Your Implementation Plan Here! due 11/30

  12. 12

    Course Wrap Up

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Complete

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Evaluation

Ready to Transform Your Community Through Lending?

Empower yourself with the knowledge and skills to become a leader in small business lending. Enroll now and make a difference!

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