Finanta is a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) and credit union offering affordable loans, financial services, and community development financing to low-income Philadelphia-area residents and entrepreneurs.
Data compiled from public sources · Google rating shown when a stored review count is available
Finanta, formerly known as Community First Fund, is a community development financial institution with over 30 years of history serving Philadelphia's low-income communities. The organization rebranded in November 2024 to create a more accessible and memorable name while maintaining its original mission and operations. As a credit union and CDFI, Finanta operates two distinct but complementary service lines: consumer credit union banking services and community development lending.
Finanta offers a broad portfolio of financial products designed for underserved populations. On the consumer side, they provide credit union membership with checking, savings, and other banking products. On the lending side, they offer business loans for entrepreneurs and small business owners, affordable housing financing and first-time homebuyer mortgages, and loans to community-based organizations.
Their loan programs are specifically designed to help individuals start and grow businesses, create affordable housing, enable business property purchases, and support nonprofit agencies. They also provide business coaching programs and technical assistance alongside their financing. What distinguishes Finanta is their explicit focus on community development and economic equity rather than profit maximization.
They operate as a CDFI with a grassroots approach, emphasizing word-of-mouth relationships and deep community ties. Their Affinity Group Lending program and first-time mortgage program have operated consecutively for over 12 years, demonstrating sustained commitment to specific underserved populations. They also accept community investments from individuals and institutions committed to supporting their mission.
Finanta is best suited for low-to-moderate income individuals and entrepreneurs in their service regions who prioritize mission-aligned lending over lowest rates, and who value business coaching and technical assistance. The primary caveat is their geographic limitation to specific regions (primarily Philadelphia area) and the likelihood that their rates and terms may not be the absolute lowest available, as pricing reflects their community development mission rather than competitive commercial lending.
This is state-level context for Banks consumers in Philadelphia, PA. It does not confirm that Finanta or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities
Consumer protection
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Finanta offers 12 services including Credit union membership and banking services, Business loans for startup and business expansion, First-time homebuyer mortgages, Business property purchase financing, Affordable housing development financing, and 7 more.
Finanta has profile signals associated with Low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs wanting to start or expand small businesses with coaching support, First-time homebuyers in Philadelphia area seeking affordable mortgage options, Community-based nonprofits needing financing to deliver social services, Philadelphia-area residents seeking credit union banking with mission-aligned values.
Key strengths: CDFI status means explicitly mission-driven lending focused on financial equity and community development, not profit maximization; 30+ years of established history serving low-income Philadelphia communities with demonstrated track record; Offers integrated business coaching and technical assistance programs alongside financing. Areas to consider: Geographic limitation - primarily serves Philadelphia area and specific regions, not nationwide; Rates and terms likely higher than competitive commercial lenders since pricing reflects mission rather than market efficiency.
In the Banks category, comparable providers include Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, NALCAB - National Association For Latino Community Asset Builders, Working Solutions CDFI. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
Finanta is profile signals for low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs, homebuyers, and nonprofit organizations in the Philadelphia region who prioritize mission-aligned lending and value technical assistance over absolute lowest rates. The main caveat is geographic limitation to specific service areas and lack of listed pricing information on their website, requiring direct contact for rate and term quotes.
National nonprofit that partners with city governments to embed financial empowerment programs into local infrastructure, serving 62 million residents across 150+ cities.
Google rating from 2 reviews
Profile signals: Residents of partner cities seeking free financial counseling and empowerment services through municipal programs, Low and moderate-income households in cities with CFE Fund financial empowerment centers
NALCAB is a CDFI intermediary supporting 200+ nonprofit member organizations across all 50 states focused on Latino community economic development through lending, capacity building, and policy advocacy.
Google rating from 4 reviews
Profile signals: Nonprofit organizations and CDFIs working on community economic development seeking grants, loans, and capacity building support, Communities in Latino-serving regions seeking housing, small business, or neighborhood development initiatives
Working Solutions CDFI provides affordable small business loans ($5K-$100K) and free consulting to diverse entrepreneurs in California, with no minimum credit score or revenue requirements.
Google rating from 25 reviews
Profile signals: Pre-revenue and early-stage entrepreneurs who cannot qualify for traditional bank financing, Diverse and minority-owned business owners seeking capital without collateral requirements
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