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Since our beginning in 1978, our organization’s name and designation have changed, but one thing has remained constant: our purpose. We step up for entrepreneurs by advocating for and providing access to affordable and responsible capital.

During the organization’s early days, Arthur H. Goodman, the late founder of CDC Small Business Finance, would occasionally close down the office for a day and dispatch employees to small businesses in disadvantaged neighborhoods that often went ignored. The goal here was to let those entrepreneurs know they too could access business capital to grow their businesses and create their own prosperity.

His enterprising drive and charitable spirit set the tone and long-term strategy for CDC Small Business Finance, now one of the nation’s leading mission-based small business lenders.  Kurt Chilcott, who has served as the company’s chief executive and president since 1998, has built upon Art’s foundation by strategically expanding the organization, building strong community and industry partnerships and creating new innovative products and services.  The extraordinary growth has spanned from its’ original regional work in San Diego to now providing SBA 504 loans in three states and offering national lending products.

Our History

As a leader in the community and economic development field, CDC Small Business Finance provides access to transformative products, services, and advocacy to ensure ALL small businesses have the opportunity to succeed and grow.