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The First Dollar: Why Pre-Development Lending Is the Unsung Hero of Affordable Housing
By Tamra Thetford When people think of affordable housing, they often picture the finished product: ribbon cuttings, newly housed families, and revitalized neighborhoods. But behind every successful project is an unsung hero—pre-development lending—the financial spark that makes it all possible. This initial phase—covering site acquisition, market studies, environmental assessments, architectural designs, and securing permits—represents just…
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Investing for Returns and Real-World Outcomes
When most people think about investing, the first word that comes to mind is returns. And investing for returns makes sense. For decades, the core goal of investing has been to grow wealth, preserve capital, and generate income. But increasingly, individual investors are beginning to ask a new question: What is my money doing while…
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How Community Banks Are Challenging Traditional Banks on Yield — And Why It Matters
When it comes to managing institutional cash, yield matters — but so does impact. Today’s treasury and finance leaders are increasingly seeking both competitive returns and opportunities to align their deposits with community impact. CNote’s latest Impact Cash® Money Market Rate Card demonstrates that community banks and mission-driven depository institutions are not only competitive but…
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The Hidden Cost of Disaster Relief: How Disasters Strain Local Economies
When disaster strikes—be it a hurricane, flood, wildfire, or tornado—the physical damage is obvious: homes reduced to rubble, businesses shuttered, and entire communities uprooted. But beyond the wreckage lies an often-overlooked reality: the lasting financial toll on local economies, especially in underserved or rural areas. Disaster relief isn’t just about rebuilding—it’s about economic resilience, and…
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From Community Investment to Disaster Resilience: David Parker’s Journey of Entrepreneurship and Impact
Growing Up in Summerville: The Roots of Innovation David Parker’s journey from small-town Summerville to running a thriving business is rooted in his hard work, ingenuity, and the unwavering support of his community. Growing up, he wasn’t just a curious child—he was a natural problem-solver. Raised on a family farm, David learned early that when…
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From Idle to Impactful: How Foundations Can Put Their Cash to Work for Good
Across the United States, foundations play a pivotal role in addressing society’s most pressing challenges. Yet, while their grantmaking programs drive meaningful change, a powerful opportunity often sits unnoticed on the sidelines: idle cash reserves. These funds, typically held in low-yield money market accounts or traditional banks, are crucial for liquidity and operational needs—but they…
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CNote CEO Cat Berman Wins Treasury Today’s Leading Light Award
May 8, 2025 – CNote, a financial technology platform focused on community investment, is proud to announce that its Co-Founder and CEO, Cat Berman, has been named the 2025 Leading Light Award winner by Treasury Today’s Women in Treasury Awards. The Leading Light Award is one of Treasury Today’s most prestigious honors, celebrating individuals who…
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Expanding Access to Pediatric Care: How Samuel Rodgers Health Center and Central Bank of Kansas City Are Building a Healthier Future
In Kansas City’s most low-income neighborhoods, families face growing barriers to accessing consistent, high-quality healthcare—especially for children covered by Medicaid. For decades, Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (Sam Rodgers) has been a cornerstone of care for the community, offering comprehensive health services to patients regardless of income, insurance status, or background. In 2024 alone, the…
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Celebrating Our Journey: A Year of Innovation & Inspiration
This week marks another birthday for CNote—and with it, a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, the momentum we’ve built, and where we’re heading next. From an early vision of financial innovation for good, CNote has grown into a trusted platform for values-aligned investing—serving institutional and individual clients, expanding our suite of products,…
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Social Determinants of Health and Community Finance
By Tamra Thetford The social determinants of health (SDOH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They include the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and they shape overall well-being just as much—if not more—than medical care. Community Financial Institutions address the social determinants of health by investing in…
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Where finance meets impact.