A veteran of the financial services industry, Marisa Calderon has been nationally recognized for her leadership in residential real estate. HousingWire has twice awarded her the prestigious Women of Influence recognition for her work in increasing understanding and appreciation of the Hispanic home-buying market. She serves on numerous advisory boards including SureFire Capital, America’s Homeowner Alliance and serves on the board of Latinas Lead California. She previously served on the board of the Hispanic Wealth Project, which has a stated goal of tripling the median household wealth of Hispanics by 2024. She earned her BA from the University of California at Berkeley and lives in California with her family.
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Gabe del Rio
President & CEO, Homeownership Council of America
Gabe del Rio’s professional mission is focused on homeownership for underserved communities. Prior to Homeownership Council of America, Gabe was the President of Springboard CDFI and the visionary behind the Nationwide Mortgage Collaborative. Prior to that, Gabe was the COO for Community HousingWorks. Gabe has a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in Psychology and Biology, with a minor in Art, was educated by the Mortgage Bankers Association, graduating the School of Mortgage Banking as an Accredited Mortgage Professional-AMP, and completed the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Program; Achieving Excellence in Community Development.
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Sean Salas
Co-Founder & Senior Advisor, Camino Financial
Sean Salas is a Fintech executive and visionary on a mission to empower overlooked entrepreneurs. He serves as the CEO and Co-Founder of Camino Financial - an AI-powered community lending platform - offering affordable credit and wealth-building solutions.
Prior to co-founding Camino Financial, Sean worked at ICV Partners. Before then, Sean worked as an investment banker at UBS Investment Bank. Sean holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from UC Berkeley.
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Kenny Salas
FinTech COO
Kenneth Salas is a distinguished business leader and fintech innovator, who co-founded Camino Financial, an AI-powered community lending platform providing affordable credit to underserved micro-businesses in the US. In his capacity as COO, Kenneth oversees growth and lending operations, including sales, underwriting, collections, and customer service. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Political Economy from UC Berkeley.
"We listen to understand, not to respond."
Patty Arvielo
Chairwoman of the Board & Co-Founder
Patty Arvielo is a champion for the underserved in the housing sector with over 40 years of mortgage experience as a national influencer, active servant in her community, and accomplished leader as Co-Founder & President of New American Funding which is the single largest Latina-owned private mortgage company in the nation. Patty lends her voice to numerous industry committees and lobbies on behalf of the mortgage industry and homeowners in Washington, D.C.
Tap into the $1 Trillion-Dollar CDFI Market
As the premiere CDFI originator, Champions Funding is uniquely positioned to provide seamless loan programs, enabling brokers to access an underserved market. The CDFI pool represents a potential market of $1 trillion, leaving ample opportunity to introduce CDFI initiatives in your local communities across various markets.
Let’s break down what these institutions are and what they can bring to your business.
What is CDFI?
A CDFI is a Community Development Financial Institution that plays a vital role in providing equity in homeownership. Backed by the U.S. Department of Treasury, this unique program invests federal alongside buyer contributions to make the dream of homeownership a reality.
These organizations are uniquely poised to assist underserved communities. CDFIs lend to diverse individuals and businesses to spark economic growth in areas with historically limited access to funding.
Are My Borrowers Eligible for Additional CDFI Benefits?
Certified by the US Department of the Treasury as a CDFI, Champions Funding is able to offer eligible borrowers additional rate and/or pricing improvements through approved broker partners.
Eligibility criteria may include:
Alignment with the CDFIs Mission
Income Thresholds
Location
We help to ensure your borrowers have access when applicable.
CDFI-Certified Champions Funding is on a Mission
To ensure the continuity of our certification, Champions Funding conducts an annual assessment. Through the examination and evaluation of our loan portfolio, we ensure our commitment to creating a meaningful difference within the communities we support. Our company mission is overseen and directed by an Advisory Board, which convenes in quarterly meetings.
How Can a CDFI Boost Your Business?
This mission-focused lending program is an opportunity to serve the underserved, but it can also boost your business.
As an approved partner with Champions Funding, brokers like you have access to exclusive loan products only available through CDFI Designated Lenders. Exclusive access to CDFI rate and/or price enhancements are available for all loan programs.
Position yourself as a trailblazer in fostering economic equity while enhancing your competitive edge. As you tap into CDFI resources, you attract a more diverse client base and elevate your market standing. Even your CDFI investor borrowers can save with DSCR loan programs!
Advocates for Equity in homeownership
Meet the CDFI Advisory Board
As a lender driven by our mission, we're dedicated to empowering historically underserved communities. Our advisory board comprises finance industry leaders who actively strive to narrow the homeownership gap for minorities. In their role, they guide our policies and procedures, leveraging their distinctive insights and expertise to amplify our impact on diverse Americans.
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Marisa Calderon
President & CEO, Prosperity Now
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Gabe del Rio
President & CEO, Homeownership Council of America
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Patty Arvielo
Chairwoman of the Board & Co-Founder
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Sean Salas
Co-Founder & Senior Advisor, Camino Financial
VIEW BIO
Kenny Salas
FinTech COO
Got Questions About CDFIs? We've Got Answers.
What is a CDFI?
A CDFI is a Community Development Financial Institution. These unique organizations have been certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to play a vital role in providing equity in homeownership and are uniquely poised to assist underserved communities. CDFIs lend to diverse individuals and businesses to spark economic growth in areas with historically limited access to funding.
What is a CDFI loan?
A CDFI loan is a type of financing provided by specialized financial institutions to support underserved and low-income communities. These loans are designed to promote economic development and growth in areas where traditional financial services may be limited. CDFIs often offer more flexible terms and lower interest rates to help address disparities in access to capital.
Who qualifies for CDFI loans?
Qualification for CDFI loans varies depending on the specific institution and program, but generally, CDFI loans are designated for low-income and underserved communities. These loans aim to support economic development and community revitalization. Eligibility criteria may include income thresholds, location, and alignment with the CDFI's mission.
How can your borrowers get a CDFI loan?
Champions Funding proudly serves the underserved as a CDFI certified lender. This unique designation affords us the opportunity to increase homeownership and investment capital for those historically underbanked. Rate and/or price improvements for CDFI eligible borrowers are available through approved broker partners.
Mortgage brokers, visit our Partner with Us page to get started.
Why is a 4506-C required for CDFI?
Since we are a CDFI lender, Champions Funding requires this document on all loan submissions to ensure all borrowers have access to CDFI benefits.
Got Questions About CDFIs? We've Got Answers.
What is a CDFI?
A CDFI is a Community Development Financial Institution. These unique organizations have been certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to play a vital role in providing equity in homeownership and are uniquely poised to assist underserved communities. CDFIs lend to diverse individuals and businesses to spark economic growth in areas with historically limited access to funding.
What is a CDFI loan?
A CDFI loan is a type of financing provided by specialized financial institutions to support underserved and low-income communities. These loans are designed to promote economic development and growth in areas where traditional financial services may be limited. CDFIs often offer more flexible terms and lower interest rates to help address disparities in access to capital.
Want to learn more about growing your business with the Champs?
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