Bridging the gap
between equity-focused nonprofits and credit bureaus
to unlock credit as an asset for all
Who is Credit Builders Alliance (CBA)?
CBA was created by and for our nonprofit members as a bridge to the modern credit reporting system to help millions of individuals with poor or no credit participate in the mainstream financial system by building credit.
CBA's platform of services helps shape our members' programs by connecting them to the credit bureaus to report loan payments and to pull reports for underwriting and financial coaching. We support practitioners through training and professional development opportunities.
What is Credit Building?
Credit building is by definition the opening and successful management of financial products over time -- the key to building and maintaining a good credit history.
Credit building and maintaining good credit are key steps to building your financial future. Consumers with good credit scores have access to lower interest rates and better borrowing terms.
Wealth is the value of personal assets minus debts. Credit plays a role on both sides of the equation. Credit is a systemic measure of financial health, a necessary gateway for accessing other economic opportunities, and an essential ingredient for economic security and mobility.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POWER OF CREDIT BUILDING
How can we help you?
CBA membership
As a member of Credit Builders Alliance, you gain access to the best credit training, connections with a network of over 600 mission-driven organizations, the latest updates in credit building, access to discounted credit reports, and the ability to report loan data to the credit bureaus. You can strengthen your programs, help your staff's professional development, your organization, and your participants' lives.
CBA offers the following membership packages:
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- Free toolkits, tipsheets, and resources to use with your participants via CBA's Training Institute (TI)
- Free monthly webinars to learn the latest in the credit building field
- Discounts on our signature Credit as an Asset on demand credit courses
- Discounts to our annual Credit Building Symposium
- Opportunities for funding and capacity-building through CBA Fund to start (or grow) a consumer loan program
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- All community member benefits
- The ability to pull credit reports from up to 2 of CBA's credit bureau partners
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- All community and access benefits
- Report up to 500 loans to all major consumer and/or commercial credit bureaus *
- Help with dispute management
Not sure what service package works for you or have questions about your current CBA Membership?
training
CBA has a proven track record of designing and delivering robust, relevant courses, toolkits, tipsheets, and resources to help nonprofit credit practitioners expand their credit knowledge. This also includes monthly community webinars and events that connect you with credit industry experts and other nonprofit practitioners.
The Training Institute (TI) hosts these valuable learning resources. Many are exclusive to CBA members, but many others are available to anyone with a TI account. Members also get discounted rates on our signature Credit as an Asset and Credit as an Asset: Small Business on demand courses.
REPORTING
Consumer Reporting
Help your participants build credit histories by reporting their loans to the major consumer credit reporting agencies.
Business Reporting
Strengthen opportunities for your business participants by reporting their loans to the major commercial reporting agencies.
Rent Reporting Center
Reporting rental payments to the credit bureaus is an evidence-based strategy that can help renters increase their credit scores.
FUNDING & SUPPORT
CBA Fund
CBA Fund is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) intermediary dedicated to expanding the capacity of nonprofits to provide safe and affordable small dollar consumer loans (SDLs) and credit building products in their communities.
consumer credit stories:
perspectives on credit realities
Credit Builders Alliance partnered with four Master Trainers-experienced credit building practitioners from organizations across the country-to conduct interviews with historically marginalized individuals about their experiences with credit. Participants share the realities of external structural challenges and difficult internal choices.