Cook Inlet Lending Center, Inc. AK 269839

03/26/2026

Thinking about applying for a small business loan? Join us tomorrow to learn how to prepare your business for success!

Hear directly from multiple lenders, along with experts from the Municipality of Anchorage, the Small Business Development Center, and the Small Business Administration.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get your questions answered and take the next step toward funding your business!

Join us on March 26, 2026 from 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM for an in-depth look at how to prepare a successful application for small business lending.

03/25/2026

If you’ve ever felt unsure about your credit or want to start using it more strategically, this session is for you.

Join Abby Miller, Financial Wellness Program Manager at Cook Inlet Lending Center, at the Alaska Young Professionals Summit, for her session: “Credit Building 101: Understanding Scores, Reports, and How to Use Credit as a Tool Instead of a Trap.”

Abby has spent the past five years working as a financial coach with individuals across a wide range of ages, incomes, and life circumstances. From ski towns in Colorado and Oregon to communities across Alaska, her work is focused on helping people build financial lives that actually work for them.

At Cook Inlet Lending Center, a Native CDFI serving all of Alaska, Abby develops coaching programs rooted in her 4 Gs framework: Grow, Give, Gather, Guard, reflecting a more holistic and values based approach to financial wellness. She also teaches in the Department of Business Administration at Alaska Pacific University and holds an MBA.

In this session, Abby will break down how credit really works, how to read and fix your credit report, and what actually drives a strong score. You’ll walk away with practical tools and a clear action plan to build and protect your credit with confidence.

📊 Build a plan that works
🔑 Turn credit into a tool, not a trap
💡 Gain confidence in your financial future

👉 Register now: https://www.anchoragechamber.org/alaska-young-professionals-summit/

03/05/2026

Cook Inlet Lending Center (CILC) is proud to congratulate our Residential Lending Manager, Benjamin Reynolds - NMLS # 1662179, on being named a 2026 MBA mPact Residential Spotlight Award recipient from the Mortgage Bankers Association. The mPact program recognizes emerging leaders making a meaningful impact in residential mortgage lending. Benjamin is one of five recipients selected nationally this year.

CILC was founded to serve Alaska Native borrowers who have historically had fewer pathways to lending and financial education. That mission shapes everything we do, and it has shaped the work Benjamin has led at CILC with the Residential Lending Department since joining our team in 2023. He has worked to make our programs more accessible, expand our capacity to serve more borrowers, and ensure our operations are built to support that work for the long term. The goal has always been to meet Alaska Native communities where they are and create real, lasting pathways to homeownership.
Beyond CILC, Benjamin serves as President of the Alaska Mortgage Bankers Association, where he has helped make sure Alaska's unique housing realities are part of the national conversation. We are grateful to have him on our team, and we are proud of the communities whose trust make this work worth doing.

Congratulations, Benjamin.

Really honored to share this news.

I have been named one of five recipients of the 2026 MBA mPact Residential Spotlight Award from the Mortgage Bankers Association. It is a national recognition, and it means more to me than I expected.

I came into this industry as an audio engineer who needed a job and found a calling instead. That road led me to Cook Inlet Lending Center, Inc. AK 269839, to the Alaska Mortgage Bankers Association, and eventually to this moment.

This feels like recognition for the organizations and the people around me just as much as for me personally. The work at CILC is about expanding real access to lending and financial education in Alaska. The work at AMBA is about making sure Alaska has a voice in local, state, and national conversations. Neither of those things happens alone.

Thank you to the MBA, to my colleagues, and to everyone who has trusted me with this work.

01/07/2026

"I want to thank Ben for always making himself available when we bring new hires over to CILC as part of their tour—even when he’s busy with other priorities. His willingness to take the time to welcome and engage with new team members makes a lasting impression and reflects his commitment to creating a positive experience."

12/31/2025

As we close out 2025, we're deeply grateful for our incredible team, all of our partners, and the community that makes this work possible.

Supporting Alaska Native families and small businesses takes trust, care, and strong relationships—and we're honored to walk alongside the people and communities we serve.

Proud of the impact we've made together this year and energized for what's ahead in 2026.

Thank you. 💙

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us here at CILC!

In celebration of the holiday season, our office will be closed starting at 12:00 PM, December 24th and re-opening 8:00AM, December 29th

11/24/2025

🎉 Big News from CILC! 🎉

We are incredibly honored to announce that Cook Inlet Lending Center has received a $200,000 grant from KeyBank as part of their 200th anniversary celebration!

This generous investment will strengthen our Financial Wellness Program, helping more Alaska Native families throughout Alaska build credit, achieve homeownership, start businesses, and create lasting financial stability.

As a Native CDFI, we invest in traditionally underserved people and communities, offering equitable access to affordable financial products and services that facilitate homeownership, strengthen local businesses, and build resilient neighborhoods. This partnership with KeyBank takes that mission to the next level.

"This grant strengthens our Financial Wellness Program, which helps individuals and families build credit, reduce debt, and take confident steps toward homeownership, creating small businesses and long-term financial stability," said Jeff Tickle, our President and CEO.

Thank you to KeyBank and Lori McCaffrey, Alaska Market President, for believing in our mission and investing in the financial health of Alaska's communities. And thank you to our partners at Anchorage Community Land Trust for hosting this celebration!

Read more: https://www.cookinletlending.com/news/cilc-honored-to-receive-grant-from-keybank-foundation

11/05/2025

"I just wanna recognize you for always being the best teammate when it comes to working together! I have learned so much from you and still am! I am so thankful to be on the same team!"

10/28/2025

Cook Inlet Lending Center: Continuing Our Mission to Serve Alaska Native Communities

In light of the October 10th federal announcement that all CDFI Fund staff will be terminated effective December 13, 2025, we want to provide clarity on our operations and commitment moving forward.

OUR OPERATIONS CONTINUE:
Cook Inlet Lending Center will continue all lending programs and financial services for Alaska Native individuals, families, and businesses. There will be no interruption to our services. Our commitment to supporting economic self-sufficiency in Alaska Native communities remains steadfast.

THE BROADER IMPACT:
This decision affects nearly 100 Native CDFIs nationwide and threatens the distribution of $28 million in fiscal year 2025 funding and $35 million proposed for fiscal year 2026 through the Native American CDFI Assistance Program.

Native CDFIs have demonstrated measurable impact: we leverage every federal dollar into $8 of private sector investment. Since 2010, NACA recipients have originated nearly $2.6 billion in loans, financed over 4,340 businesses, and supported nearly 500 units of affordable housing in underserved communities.

OUR ADVOCACY:
The CDFI Fund has operated successfully for over 30 years and represents the practical fulfillment of federal trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations. Cook Inlet Lending Center has joined the Native CDFI Network and 152 co-signatory organizations in calling for reconsideration of this decision.

OUR COMMITMENT:
Regardless of the outcome, Cook Inlet Lending Center will continue serving Alaska Native communities. We are moving forward with our mission, our services, and our dedication to expanding access to capital.

For questions about our services, contact us at (907) 793-3058 or [email protected]

Read our complete statement: https://www.cookinletlending.com/news/cilc-cdfi-fund-address-october-2025

10/16/2025

When emergencies strike or debt piles up, you need real help, not another burden.

Cook Inlet Lending Center's Small Dollar Loan program offers Alaska Native borrowers access to fair, affordable credit designed to build stability rather than extract from it.

💙 What's different about this loan:

Up to $2,500 at a fixed 7% APR
No collateral required
No prepayment penalties or hidden fees
Up to 3 years to repay at your own pace
Interest earned supports program sustainability, allowing us to continue offering non-predatory options to our community

Whether it's an unexpected expense or consolidating high-interest loans into something manageable, this program exists to help you move forward, not keep you stuck.

For Alaska Native residents 18+ with verifiable income.

This program is offered under a Special Purpose Credit Program developed to expand fair credit access for Alaska Native borrowers. Eligibility and terms are subject to credit and program approval.

Your financial stability matters. Let's talk about whether this is right for your situation.

Equal Credit Opportunity Lender.

09/29/2025

How to Prepare for a Small Business Loan workshop is happening tomorrow at 1:00 at the Nave. We hope to see you there!

Thinking about applying for a small business loan, but not sure where to start? No problem! Our Small Business Lending team has you covered.

09/29/2025

We're excited to be part of Alaska Entrepreneurship Week!

We Start TOMORROW.

📅 Alaska Entrepreneurship Week begins this MONDAY. You’re not too late to join.

✅ Pick your stage
✅ Register for events
✅ Invite a friend

🔗 Final schedule: www.akew.org/events

Main statewide event tomorrow: Online Kick-off - https://akew.org/event/akew-statewide-introduction-kickoff-online