The Cooperative Lender is a community-focused financial cooperative dedicated to empowering Black and Brown communities by providing access to fair lending, financial education, and job opportunities. Our cooperative model prioritizes democratic ownership and profit sharing among members.

Access to Capital: Easier access to business loans with competitive rates and flexible terms.

Democratic Control: As a member, you hold one vote per share, ensuring that the cooperative is democratically controlled and aligned with your community's needs.

Profit Sharing and Dividends: Members receive dividends based on the cooperative’s profits, allowing you to share in its financial success.

Financial Education: Programs designed to increase your financial literacy, empowering you to make informed financial decisions and avoid exploitative lenders.

Unlike traditional banks, The Cooperative Lender operates on a cooperative lending model, where members pool resources to provide loans at fair rates. The profits are shared among the members, ensuring that the community benefits directly from the success of the cooperative.

The Cooperative Lender is open to individuals and businesses, especially those from underserved communities, including minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs committed to economic empowerment and wealth-building.

Yes, members can earn income through loan broker commissions and share in the cooperative’s profits through dividends. Employees also receive commissions on loans they originate, promoting employee ownership and long-term sustainability.

Membership is flexible. You can choose to leave at any time, but your contributions may remain for a specified period, subject to the cooperative’s bylaws. The Cooperative Lender is committed to transparency and community empowerment, ensuring a sustainable, long-term investment in your financial future.

The Cooperative Lender is focused on the community and its members, unlike traditional banks that prioritize external shareholders. Members have democratic control, share in the profits, and help drive decisions to ensure the cooperative meets the community's needs.

Through financial education programs, The Cooperative Lender helps members improve their financial literacy, providing training on topics like business development, debt management, and personal finance, so individuals and businesses can make better financial decisions.

The Cooperative Lender provides a range of services, including business loans, personal lending, loan broker training, and financial literacy programs to support individuals and businesses in building wealth and achieving financial independence.

Yes, businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, can join The Cooperative Lender to access capital, financial guidance, and participate in the profit-sharing model. The cooperative provides an opportunity for businesses to grow sustainably.

To join, simply complete the membership application and submit the required fee. Once approved, you'll gain access to all cooperative services and can start benefiting from the financial resources and dividends available to members. 

Membership includes a one-time fee that grants access to all of the cooperative’s services, benefits, and profit-sharing opportunities. For more details about the membership fee, please refer to the membership application or contact our team.

Your membership helps foster a community-driven economic system that provides capital access to minority-owned businesses, creates jobs, and promotes wealth-building. By participating, you are investing in both your future and your community’s success.

By joining The Cooperative Lender, you’ll help promote financial equity, provide support to local entrepreneurs, and have access to financial education and business loans. You’ll also receive dividends and have a say in how the cooperative operates, driving long-term economic change in your community.