CDC Small Business Finance
CDC Small Business Finance is a nonprofit SBA-approved Certified Development Company and the nation's #1 SBA 504 and 7(a) Community Advantage lender, providing commercial real estate and small business loans to underserved entrepreneurs since 1978 as part of the Momentus Capital family.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CDC Small Business Finance does
CDC Small Business Finance is a nonprofit Certified Development Company (CDC) and SBA-approved lender founded in 1978 and headquartered in San Diego, California. Operating as part of the Momentus Capital family of organizations alongside Capital Impact Partners and Momentus Securities, the company is the nation's #1 SBA 504 and #1 SBA 7(a) Community Advantage lender. Its core products include SBA 504 commercial real estate loans ($250K–$30M+ with 10/20/25-year fixed-rate terms at 10% down), SBA 7(a) Community Advantage loans ($30K–$350K starting at Prime + 2.75%), SBA Microloans ($10K–$50K), and a specialized VetLoan Advantage program for military entrepreneurs. Complementary offerings include complimentary pre- and post-loan business advising (supported by Wells Fargo's Open for Business Fund), Impact Investments providing non-dilutive preferred equity and mezzanine debt ($1–15M) to growth-stage community-centric companies, and Impower 95 — an alternative CRE financing product offered through affiliate Momentus Direct Capital for borrowers ineligible for SBA programs.
The company's revenue model is transaction-based: it earns interest income on its SBA-backed loan portfolio, plus origination fees, debenture-related fees (to CDC, SBA, and central servicing agent per NADCO pricing), and servicing fees. Distribution combines a direct field sales force with loan officers in San Diego, Arlington VA, Pasadena, New York, Detroit, and Irvine, supplemented by an inside sales team and an online pre-qualification portal. Customer acquisition is augmented by referral relationships with Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, America's SBDC, SCORE, and the Opportunity Finance Network. Since 1978, the organization has deployed over $20.9 billion in financing to more than 12,700 business owners, creating or preserving 253,500 jobs across underserved and mainstream small business segments.
The technology stack is conventional for a specialty finance CDFI — a Gateway Portal for online pre-qualification, a borrower self-service portal for account management, and a business loan calculator. There is no proprietary AI/ML or data platform disclosed; the company's competitive position rests on its SBA charter, mission-driven nonprofit status (which unlocks concessional capital from Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and CDFI Fund tax credit allocations), and 40+ years of brand credibility rather than technology differentiation. The 2024 Lenders Cooperative and Ventures Lending Technologies merger, supported by U.S. Bank Foundation grants, signals an emerging investment in tech-enabled lending infrastructure.
CDC Small Business Finance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CDC Small Business Finance
- Legal name
- CDC Small Business Finance Corp.
- Website
- https://cdcloans.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- CDC Small Business Finance is a nonprofit SBA-approved Certified Development Company and the nation's #1 SBA 504 and 7(a) Community Advantage lender, providing commercial real estate and small business loans to underserved entrepreneurs since 1978 as part of the Momentus Capital family.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CDC Small Business Finance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Small Business Lending (SBA Lending)
- NAICS
- Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation (52229)
- SIC
- Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)
- akta.pro primary industry
- SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- SME Term Loans & Growth Capital (FSAKAGAB), Microloans & Working Capital Loans (FSAKAGAA), SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI)
Keywords
Where CDC Small Business Finance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
CDC Small Business Finance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- SBA 504 Loan Interest and Fees: CDC Small Business Finance earns interest income and fees from SBA 504 commercial real estate loans. The organization acts as a Certified Development Company (CDC), financing 40% of total project costs with SBA backing. Revenue comes from interest on the loan portfolio and fees paid by borrowers including fees to CDC, SBA, and central servicing agent.
- SBA 7(a) Community Advantage Loans: Provides small business loans from $30,000 to $350,000 through SBA 7(a) Community Advantage program. Generates revenue through interest income and loan fees.
- Impact Investment Instruments: Non-dilutive preferred equity and mezzanine debt investments for growth-stage companies. Revenue generated through profit share payments and dividend distributions on preferred equity, and revenue share plus interest payments on mezzanine debt.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | SBA 504 Commercial Real Estate Loans - 25 Year Term |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | SBA 504 Commercial Real Estate Loans - 20 Year Term |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | SBA 504 Commercial Real Estate Loans - 10 Year Term |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | SBA 7(a) Community Advantage Loans - Small Business Financing |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | SBA 504 Commercial Real Estate Loan Amounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
CDC Small Business Finance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CDC Small Business Finance is a nonprofit Certified Development Company that provides SBA-backed loans to small businesses, including SBA 504 commercial real estate loans ($250k to $30M+), SBA 7(a) Community Advantage loans ($30k to $350k), SBA Microloans ($10k-$50k), and veteran-focused loan products. The organization also offers complimentary pre- and post-loan business advising and non-dilutive impact investments (preferred equity and mezzanine debt) for growth-stage companies.
Product overview
CDC Small Business Finance is a nonprofit financial services organization and the nation's leading SBA lender, operating as part of the Momentus Capital family of organizations. The company offers a portfolio of SBA-backed loan products designed for small business financing needs. The core offerings include SBA 504 Commercial Real Estate Loans for property and equipment acquisition ($250k to $30M+), SBA 7(a) Community Advantage Loans for working capital and business growth ($30k-$350k), and SBA Microloans for California startups ($10k-$50k). A specialized Veteran Business Loans program (VetLoan Advantage) provides preferential terms including rebates up to $3,000 for military entrepreneurs. Complementary services include free Small Business Advisors (pre/post loan advising), an online Borrower Portal for account management, a Business Loan Calculator tool, and a Resource Center with downloadable templates and guides. For borrowers not qualifying for SBA products, Impower 95 offers an alternative commercial real estate financing path through an affiliated entity. Impact Investments provide non-dilutive growth capital for community-centric companies. Since 1978, the organization has provided over $20.9 billion in financing to more than 12,700 business owners, creating over 253,500 jobs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SBA 504 Commercial Real Estate Loans Long-term, fixed-rate financing for purchasing, constructing, or improving owner-occupied commercial real estate or buying heavy equipment. Requires 10% down payment, finances 40% of project cost through CDC/SBA, with 50% from a bank. Loan amounts range from $250,000 to $30 million or more with 25, 20, or 10-year term options at standard, refinance, and manufacturing rate variants.
- SBA 7(a) Community Advantage Loans SBA 7(a) Community Advantage loans providing working capital and business financing ranging from $30,000 to $350,000. Features fixed and variable rates, up to 10-year terms, and no collateral requirement for approval. Available nationwide with focus on California, Arizona, Nevada, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Miami, and Washington D.C. Designed to serve startups and underserved borrowers.
- SBA Microloans Small-scale loans for California small businesses offering $10,000 to $50,000 with 7-year terms. Designed to help startups and very small enterprises access capital.
- Veteran Business Loans (VetLoan Advantage) Specialized loan programs for veterans, active military, and spouses. Features include cash rebates up to $3,000 on SBA 504 loans for commercial real estate, loans up to $20 million for commercial real estate, and $10,000 to $500,000 for working capital, starting a business, or business acquisition. Minimum 51% ownership by military community members required.
- Small Business Advisors (Business Advising Services) Complimentary business advising services for loan applicants and current borrowers, both pre- and post-loan. Includes support for credit repair, business plans, financial reporting, business strategy, and daily operating challenges. Services funded in part by Wells Fargo's Open for Business Fund.
- Impact Investments Non-dilutive growth capital for growth-stage, community-centric companies. Includes Profit Share Preferred Equity (minimum $4 million revenue, $1-15 million investment, 3-5 year holding period) and Revenue Share Mezzanine Debt ($1-15 million, unsecured, 3-5 year term). Focus areas include low-to-moderate income areas, employee-owned businesses, and health care/food access.
- Impower 95 (Alternative CRE Financing) Alternative commercial real estate financing offered through affiliate Momentus Direct Capital for borrowers who do not qualify for SBA 504 loans. Features 25% minimum owner occupancy (vs. 51% for SBA 504), 5-15% down payment, 85-95% LTV, up to 30-year amortization, and faster approvals without SBA eligibility restrictions.
Quantifiable outcome
- $20.9 billion in small business financing provided since 1978
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use CDC Small Business Finance
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CDC Small Business Finance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
CDC Small Business Finance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Capital Impact PartnerscoreCDC Small Business Finance is now part of the Momentus Capital family of organizations alongside Capital Impact Partners. Both organizations share similar visions and complementary expertise to deliver a suite of lending products and programs that holistically support communities.
- NADCOcoreNational Association of Government Guarantee Lenders (NADCO) member. Debenture pricing published by NADCO determines SBA 504 rates.
- NAGGLmajorNational Association of Government Guarantee Lenders member. CDC actively participates in NAGGL advocacy efforts for the small business lending industry.
- Opportunity Finance Network (OFN)majorMember of Opportunity Finance Network, a national network of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) supporting equitable access to capital.
- America's SBDCmajorPartnership with America's Small Business Development Centers to provide business counseling and referrals. SCORE partnership provides additional mentorship resources.
- SCOREmajorSCORE mentorship partnership providing business counseling and mentorship resources for small business owners.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
CDC Small Business Finance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentPeers
Emerging players
- OnDeck Capital (now OnDeck / ODX): OnDeck is a fintech lender providing short-term working capital and term loans to small businesses via a digital, fast-decision platform. While not SBA-backed, it competes for the same SMB borrower pool with faster funding (often same-day), representing the fintech disruption threat to CDC's 7(a) Community Advantage product.
Direct peers
- Capital Impact Partners: Sister organization within the Momentus Capital family. Capital Impact Partners is a CDFI providing community development lending and impact investments across health care, education, and economic development. Direct comparable as the only other major Momentus Capital entity and one of the largest CDFIs in the U.S.
Broad incumbents
- Live Oak Bank: Live Oak Bank is one of the largest SBA 7(a) lenders in the U.S., specializing in loans to small businesses across veterinary, healthcare, and franchise sectors. As a publicly-traded bank with deep SBA expertise, it is a broad incumbent competitor in CDC's core SBA lending market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CDC Small Business Finance social profiles
Digital presenceCDC Small Business Finance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CDC Small Business Finance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles36 records
CDC Small Business Finance subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
CDC Small Business Finance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CDC Small Business Finance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CDC Small Business Finance
What does CDC Small Business Finance do?
CDC Small Business Finance is a nonprofit Certified Development Company that provides SBA-backed loans to small businesses, including SBA 504 commercial real estate loans ($250k to $30M+), SBA 7(a) Community Advantage loans ($30k to $350k), SBA Microloans ($10k-$50k), and veteran-focused loan products. The organization also offers complimentary pre- and post-loan business advising and non-dilutive impact investments (preferred equity and mezzanine debt) for growth-stage companies.
Is CDC Small Business Finance a public or private company?
CDC Small Business Finance is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CDC Small Business Finance founded?
CDC Small Business Finance was founded in 1978. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is CDC Small Business Finance based?
CDC Small Business Finance is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does CDC Small Business Finance make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. SBA 504 Loan Interest and Fees are the primary driver. The others are SBA 7(a) Community Advantage Loans and impact Investment Instruments.
Who are CDC Small Business Finance's main competitors?
BlueVine is listed as a peer. OnDeck Capital (now OnDeck / ODX) is listed as an emerging player. Capital Impact Partners is listed as a direct peer. Live Oak Bank is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does CDC Small Business Finance have an API?
No public API is recorded for CDC Small Business Finance.
What industry is CDC Small Business Finance in?
CDC Small Business Finance's product category is Small Business Lending (SBA Lending). Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAKAGAI, SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans, with a secondary code of FSAKAGAB, SME Term Loans & Growth Capital. Its NAICS code is 52229 and its SIC code is 6153.