Mark Ritter sits down with Eben Sheaffer on Credit Union Conversations, talking credit union lending. Eben shares his journey from Wall Street finance to CDFI leadership, explaining how working capital financing and adaptive reuse lending are reshaping underserved communities across the country. From a groundbreaking securitization in equipment financing to revitalizing Detroit through impact-driven loans, Eben reveals why credit unions hold a natural edge in accounts receivable financing for small businesses. A candid look at the K-shaped economy rounds out this insightful conversation.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why credit union lending gives depositories a natural edge in accounts receivable financing for small businesses.

✅ How adaptive reuse lending is helping revitalize vacant buildings in Detroit while lowering carbon impact.

✅ What the K-shaped economy means for community development and future loan demand.

✅ Why working capital financing remains the biggest unmet need for small business borrowers.

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Eben Sheaffer shares his origin story and unexpected path into community development credit unions

05:51 Consulting work today, including equipment financing and a first-of-its-kind securitization deal

06:56 Adaptive reuse lending and revitalizing vacant Detroit neighborhoods through impact investment

10:19 Navigating volatile interest rates, inflation swings, and the realities of the K-shaped economy

13:03 Running a CDFI in New York City and competing with large banks down the street

20:56 Best opportunities ahead in working capital financing for credit unions and CDFI lenders

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎Credit union lending thrives when institutions lean into working capital financing and accounts receivable deals.

💎 Adaptive reuse lending offers a lower carbon path to solving housing shortages in cities like Detroit.

💎 Understanding the K-shaped economy helps credit unions serve every segment of their community, not just the top.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Eben Sheaffer - LinkedIn

Gotham Impact Advisors - Website

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Mark Ritter - Website

Mark Ritter - LinkedIn

SEO KEYWORDS:

Credit Union Conversations, Mark Ritter, MBFS, Credit Unions, CUSO, Credit Union Lending, CDFI, Business Lending, Working Capital Financing, Adaptive Reuse, Community Development, Neighborhood Trust, Accounts Receivable Financing, Equipment Financing, Securitization, Interest Rates, K-shaped Economy