Research
One of the many ways we champion MDIs and other mission-driven financial institutions is by conducting proprietary research that deepens public understanding of the sector. The insights from these reports provide tangible evidence of the social impact that reinforces the importance of MDIs within their communities and the need for ongoing support for the sector through public, private, and philanthropic partnerships.
​
We are subject matter experts who understand the drivers of the racial wealth gap and the role of mission-driven financial institutions in helping build intergenerational wealth.
Research Goals:
​
-
Elevate the social profile of MDIs
-
Explore their community impact
-
Highlight strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for the sector
-
Outline pathways for increasing impact through innovation and partnership
Our research is designed to be actionable for a wide audience, including corporate leaders, policymakers, funders, investors, academic researchers, journalists, and the general public.
​
Purpose and Goals
Research that is bold in its theory of change, robust in its method of analysis, and actionable in its contextualization of key findings.
Research Brief
The State of MDI Report - 2024
This second annual State of MDI report provides updated statistics documenting changes in the sector and communities MDIs serve, with 2023 lending data from a sample of MDI banks and survey data, and qualitative insights from several MDIs that participated in our annual strategic planning retreat.
Research Brief
Minority Depository Institutions: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Lending Insights
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which helped businesses, self-employed workers, sole proprietors, and nonprofit organizations to continue paying salaries.
Download a new paper written by the Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR), National Bankers Association (NBA) and Visa Economic Empowerment Institute — and published by the VEEI — which proposes collective action in developing MDI digital strategies to enhance their competitiveness.
Highlights from our most recent reports:
38%
62%
of MDI branches are located in zip codes with poverty rates higher than the national average
compared to just
of non-MDI branches
Minority Depository Institutions: State of Knowledge, Sector Summary, Lending Activity, and Impact, 2010 – 2022 May 2023
"MDIs collectively issued more than 270k PPP loans and more than $16 billion PPP loan dollars. 79% of MDI loans went to minority or LMI communities versus only 47% of non-MDI loans."
– National Bankers Association Foundation Report
Planned Areas of Research for 2023-2024 include:
Pathways to Digitalization and Best Practices
The Social Impact of MDI Lending, including Analysis of Paycheck Protection Program Loans
Financial Literacy and Wellness
The Unique Role of MDI-CDFIs as Engines of Mobility
MDIs, CDFIs, and Green Finance
Case Studies Based on Borrower Surveys
Partnerships
Our research initiatives have benefited from partnerships with prominent organizations, including Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR), John Hopkins University’s 21st Century City Initiatives, Moody’s Analytics and RMS, Milken Institute, and more!
We are always looking for great research partners, including universities, think tanks, corporate foundations, loan funds or coalitions, and government agencies.
Press Coverage of Our Recent Reports
