-
Building More Than a Platform: How CNote Advances the Entire Community Finance Ecosystem
By Tamra Thetford, VP of Impact Evaluation When CNote was founded, our founders could have chosen the easier path by building a simple platform that connects investors with community development financial institutions (CDFIs). Instead, they recognized that truly addressing systematic challenges in how capital flows to underserved communities required something more ambitious: building solutions that…
-
How Do Companies Place Cash with CDFI Banks and Credit Unions?
When most companies think about where to keep their cash, the usual suspects come to mind: large national banks or short-term money market funds. But there’s another option that more organizations are beginning to explore: placing deposits with Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) banks and credit unions. These mission-driven institutions don’t just safeguard deposits. They…
-
Preserving Community: How Self-Help and LA Más Kept Families in Their Homes
America is losing affordable housing at an alarming rate. Every day, naturally occurring affordable housing—existing properties with below-market rents—disappears as gentrification drives up property values and displaces long-time residents. In Northeast Los Angeles, this crisis is playing out in real time, with rising rents pushing out families who built their lives in communities they can…
-
Cutting Through Treasury Complexity in Corporate Cash Management
At first glance, corporate cash management might seem straightforward. The goal is clear: preserve capital, maintain liquidity, and make sure money is working for the business. But for many treasurers, the day-to-day reality looks very different. Managing cash often means juggling dozens of accounts, navigating multiple banking portals, and trying to piece together a real…
-
How Community Banks Help Communities Bounce Back After Disasters
Disasters leave more than physical damage in their wake. Families are displaced, small businesses close their doors, and entire communities are left wondering how they will rebuild. Federal aid often arrives quickly, but it can only go so far. Once the initial response ends, there is often a gap between short-term relief and long-term recovery.…
-
What a September Rate Cut Could Mean for Your Corporate Cash And Why You Should Prepare Now
August 2025: The Calm Before the Cut The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates for the first time in over two years at its September 16–17 meeting, likely by 0.25% (25 basis points) (source: Federal Reserve). Fed officials have hinted that a larger cut is unlikely, especially after July’s hotter-than-expected producer price…
-
CNote Recertifies as a B Corp: Reaffirming Our Commitment to Building a More Equitable Financial Future
We’re proud to announce that CNote has officially recertified as a B Corporation, once again meeting the rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency set by B Lab. This milestone reaffirms what we’ve always believed: financial innovation can be a force for good. Since our founding, we’ve been on a mission to…
-
Impact Investing for High-Networth Portfolios: How to Align Fixed Income with Your Values
In today’s financial climate, high-net-worth (HNW) investors are looking for more than just returns. They want to make a difference. The question many are asking: Can fixed income, traditionally a conservative, performance-driven allocation, be a source of purpose? The answer is yes, through impact investing strategies that align fixed income with your values. HNW investors…
-
How CDFI Lending Keeps Capital Moving: Impact Investing Through Fixed-Income Funds
When you invest in fixed income, you’re often looking for predictable income and lower volatility. But what if your fixed income allocation could also help families buy homes, small businesses expand, or communities build new infrastructure, all while aiming to generate returns? That’s exactly what happens when fixed-income funds are connected to Community Development Financial…
-
The CDFI Difference: Underwriting with Community in Mind
By Tamra Thetford & Julia Phipps Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Loan Funds play a critical role in addressing systemic inequities in access to capital. By offering loans to underserved communities, small businesses, affordable housing developers, and nonprofits that traditional lenders often overlook, CDFIs help create jobs, support affordable housing, and promote economic justice. But…
Blog
Where finance meets impact.