The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced a competition to choose one or more experienced financial advisors to support the development of a new Mission-Driven Bank Fund. The Fund will provide a vehicle for private sector and philanthropic investment in FDIC-insured Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
The selected financial advisor(s) will work with the FDIC to develop a structure and operational aspect for the Fund. Interested firms should have experience managing investment funds. Prior engagement with MDIs and CDFIs and a deep understanding of the communities they serve are also strongly preferred. This competition is not for the selection of the Fund manager, who will be chosen separately by investors after the Fund is established. The selected financial advisor(s) will not be precluded from consideration to be the Fund manager. Proposals must be submitted by December 2, 2020. Read the FDIC’s Request for Proposal.
Compared to mainstream banks, FDIC-insured MDIs and CDFIs commit a larger portion of their portfolios to minority, lower income, and rural communities. These “mission-driven banks” play a vital role in transforming the lives of underserved communities by making loans and providing other banking products and services, including mortgages, small business loans, and community development and affordable housing investments.
Investments through the Mission-Driven Bank Fund can help MDIs and CDFIs:
- Raise the capital necessary to serve their communities more effectively
- Weather the effects of economic downturns and recover more quickly
- Attract technical expertise to grow their operations and expand their services
- Acquire, deploy, and maintain technology solutions
- Build capacity and scale to achieve cost efficiencies
Fund investments in eligible MDIs and CDFIs may include direct equity, structured transactions, funding commitments, and loss-share arrangements. The Fund will target a minimal rate of return to investors, who may also choose to reinvest any returns in the Fund or in aligned non-profit enterprises that support mission-driven banks. The FDIC will play no role in fund management or individual investment decisions though the agency will continue to assess the alignment of the Fund’s on-going operations with its purpose of assisting Mission-Driven Banks.
FDIC: PR-125-2020Request for Proposal