Airport concession businesses – from restaurants and retail shops to service providers operating in terminals nationwide – face unique capital access challenges. Operating a small business in an airport terminal requires substantial upfront capital investment, which can be more difficult to secure financing from lenders unfamiliar with the airport concessions model.

Lendistry, a mission-driven financial technology company and CDFI, recognized an opportunity to serve this market segment and partnered with CRF to support airport concession businesses through a loan participation program.

CRF’s loan participation programs enable CDFIs and community lenders to originate larger loans and serve more businesses while managing liquidity and risk exposure. By taking positions in loans originated by partners like Lendistry, CRF provides the capital backing that allows partners to expand their lending capacity and maintain customer relationships that drive impact.

The partnership benefits extend to the businesses themselves.   Entrepreneurs who own all or part of an airport concession business can access larger loan amounts to support expansion, equipment purchases, working capital needs, and the ability to secure large contracting opportunities that drive business growth.

By combining Lendistry’s sector expertise with CRF’s capital resources and loan participation infrastructure, this partnership demonstrates how collaborative lending models can expand economic opportunity for businesses serving communities nationwide.