Paths to Capital for Latino Entrepreneurs and First-Time Home Buyers
November 20, 2025 | Virtual | 11:00 a.m. - 12:15.p.m. ET | 75-minutes
This program will provide participants practical skills to increase access to capital for Latino entrepreneurs and first-time home buyers. From defining challenges to dispelling myths, the program will arm participants with best practices and resources to assist potential borrowers begin a journey toward loan success.
What You Will Learn
- Common challenges facing entrepreneurs and first-time home buyers
- Common misperceptions borrowers may have about the lending process
- Resources borrowers need to achieve their goals
- Programmatic best practices to prepare borrowers for loan success
- Tools, templates, and frameworks to begin or sustain programs.
What You Will Be Able To Do
- Recognize common challenges Latino entrepreneurs and aspiring homeowners face when applying for a loan and implement strategies to overcome them.
- Identify homeownership assistance programs available to first-time Latino homebuyers, including those accessible to ITIN holders and mixed-status families.
- Distinguish between myths and facts about mortgage eligibility, down payments, and credit requirements - especially for immigrant and underbanked communities.
- Access culturally relevant resources to get individualized support for small business and homeownership goals.
Who Should Attend
Professionals who support small businesses and first-time home buyers, including:
- Business development and local economic development organizations
- Financial institutions, CDFIs, and microlenders
- Nonprofit staff conducting loan readiness programs or referring individuals to programs and technical assistance opportunities
Session Outline
Challenges Facing Latino Entrepreneurs and First Time Home Buyers
- Panelists will share a few of the most difficult challenges facing Latino entrepreneurs and home buyers
- Overview of three programs (LISC, Intend, CDFI SBR)
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- Target audience, faculty, curriculum, delivery, measurements
Why Is It Important to Support Latino Entrepreneurs and Householders
- Panel impact stories and what are your measuring
Panelist Advice & Q&A
- What can community members do to help Latino households and entrepreneurs access programs and resources?
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- Create new programs
- Direct and provide “warm hand-offs” to individuals
- What additional tools or resources are needed?
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- 1:1 coaching and incentives
- Tools (financial statement templates, credit education resources)
- Metrics (# of application submitted, approved, credit score change) and tools (surveys, CRMS…)
12:15 p.m. Adjourn
Speakers
Claudia Mendez-Perkins | Officer, Lending and Community Investments | LISC Indianapolis
Edwin Montano | Residential Loan Portfolio Manager | Intend Indiana
Sam Centellas | Executive Director | CDFI Friendly South Bend Region
Thanks to our Sponsor
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