The CDFI Fund produces annual research reports and periodic research briefs. They are based on the analysis of primary source data derived from reporting required by the CDFI Fund's awardees to the data collection system, known as the Community Investment Impact System or CIIS.

In addition, the CDFI Fund periodically commissions original research reports by independent researchers and consultants on strategic issues and topics confronting the community development finance sectors. Furthermore, the CDFI Fund commissions periodic external program evaluations of its major programs to assess the effectiveness of the programs in meeting their objectives and to measure the financial, economic and social impacts on communities, target markets and underserved populations.

 Research Reports 

• CDFI Fund's Strategic Research Initiative

• New Markets Tax Credit Program: Promoting Investment in Distressed Communities (NMTC Program Data Through 2007)

• Trend Analysis of CIIS Institutional Level Report Data, FY 2003-2005

• Assessment of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) Program, Training Program & CDFI Certification
  • Background and Response
  • Final Report
  • Cross Site & Case Study

• CDFI Fund Releases Analysis and Data from over 200 CDFIs

• CDFI Fund To Award Up To $1.3 Million In Grants For Community Development Financial Institutions Policy Research

• NMTC Program: Activities Financed Through 2006

• CDFI Fund Releases Initial Data on 2004 NMTC Projects
  • Press Release
  • Data

• The Benefits of a Maturing CDFI Industry (May 2005)

• FY 2001 Annual Survey Results

Launched in 2004, the Community Investment Impact System (CIIS) is a web-based system designed to collect institution and transaction level data from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Community Development Entities (CDEs) awarded under the New Markets Tax Credit Program.

The CIIS data submitted by CDFIs includes an organizational profile, financial position, portfolio information, community impacts, development services, other products and services, and compliance measures.

The CIIS data submitted by CDEs includes an organizational profile, Qualified Equity Investment distribution, portfolio information, loans, community impacts, financial counseling and other services, compliance measures and other data.

• Remarks on CIIS by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke
  (April 20, 2006)
• Remarks on CIIS by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan
  (March 18, 2005)