Accion U.S. Network

The Accion U.S. Network is an American nonprofit microfinance organization headquartered in New York, NY. [1] The network is part of Accion International, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization operating globally.[2]

Accion U.S. Network
TypeBody Corporate
IndustryMicrofinance
Founded1991
HeadquartersNew York City
Area served
United States
Key people
Joseph Blatchford, founder
ProductsFinancial services
Microfinance
Websitehttp://us.accion.org/

Member Offices

In addition to having lending offices in nearly 30 cities, Accion also offers online lending. Its four member offices are:

  • Accion East
  • Accion Chicago
  • Accion New Mexico · Arizona · Colorado
  • Accion San Diego (now re-named Accessity and serving all of Southern California)

Accion offers micro loans and other financial services to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs in the United States who are typically unable to access bank credit to start or expand their small business. Services offered include a small business loan program, a "Credit Builder" loan program, and a financial literacy program offered in several languages. In addition, Accion’s national partnerships with Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, Sam’s Club, Citi Salutes: Realizing Your Dream, and The Hartford: Communities with HART offer Accion’s clients a wide range of opportunities and support for growth, such as personalized business coaching, business seminars, and regional and national competitions.[3][4][5][6]

Operational Statistics

The Accion U.S. Network is the largest of its kind in the United States, having made nearly 50,000 loans, totaling over $450 million with a 90% loan repayment rate as of January 2014.[2] In addition, Accion lends over $3.7 million to small businesses a month. Accion works with groups that might not qualify for traditional financing, such as women, minorities, and immigrants, to give them the financial tools they need to build their business.[7]

Accion’s outcomes data from its 2013 microTracker survey, which was conducted in partnership with the Aspen Institute and California microlender Opportunity Fund, showed that:[8]

  • 4.8 jobs were created or sustained on average by businesses with employees
  • 97% of businesses remained open one year after receiving a loan despite challenging economic times
  • 47% reported satisfaction with income earned from their business

Accion's 2021 Annual Report[9] states that since its founding, Accion has helped build and strengthen more than 200 institutions operating across 63 countries. In 2021, Accion reported that its efforts provided more than 15 million people with access to credit through its partners, which positively impacted 220 million people.

References
  1. Weber, Sam. "International microlender brings small business lending to U.S. merchants". PBS. PBS. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  2. "About Accion". Accion U.S. Network. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  3. "The Hartford Commits $16 Million To Support Small Business Success". The Hartford.
  4. "Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream". Samuel Adams.
  5. "Accion U.S. Network Joins Citi & Institute for Veterans and Military Families to Offer Strategic Financing Support for Veteran Entrepreneurs". Citi Group. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  6. "Sam's Club Announces $2.5 Million Investment in Women Entrepreneurs". Sam's Club. Archived from the original on 3 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  7. Arora, Rohit. "Getting The Big Picture on Microloans". Inc. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  8. "Small Loans, Big Results: microTracker Outcomes Study". Accion U.S. Network. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  9. "Accion 2021 Annual Report | Accion". www.accion.org. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
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