We are pleased to announce that Chris Linder has joined CFNE as the Loan Officer covering Maine, underwriting loan applications, conducting outreach, supporting current and potential borrowers, working with community based organizations, and providing business technical assistance. His first day on the job is August 16, and we look forward to welcoming him. Chris brings with him 25+ years of operational and consulting experience in community development finance, microfinance, and commercial banking, including financing for small businesses, nonprofits, and agriculture-related businesses, and is always seeking ways to increase access to finance for all, especially underserved communities.

Previously, he directed MaineStream Finance, a nonprofit lender/CDFI based in Bangor, Maine focusing on mortgage and small business lending. Chris has led teams providing technical assistance on enterprise development, product development, social performance, and digital finance in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, including South Africa, Lebanon, and India. He also served in various team and leadership roles in commercial banking and consulting to secure financing for healthcare institutions and other nonprofits along the US East Coast and started his career working in microfinance and cooperative finance in Mali, West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. Chris holds a BA in business administration and economics from Rhodes College (Memphis, TN) and an MBA from Babson College/Olin (Wellesley, MA).

Please feel free to contact Chris after August 16 with any and all of your Maine related financing questions or opportunities. And if you are a current CFNE borrower, you can look forward to speaking with Chris soon.