Mark Robertson

Opening Up Capital Access for Underserved Small Businesses

Aron Betru, Jorge Castillo, John Lewis, Mark Robertson, Eileen Sánchez, David Siegelmann, Garrett Smith, Karina Morga, Frank All, Eric Mundugu, Jen Price

A Milken Institute and SBA collaboration addresses the stark wealth gap and severe capital shortages facing African American and Hispanic entrepreneurs by leveraging the Partnership for Lending in Underserved Markets. The initiative highlights the critical need to scale minority depository institutions and Community Development Financial Institutions to counter predatory lending and provide patient capital where traditional banks have retreated. Panelists advocate for a comprehensive ecosystem that combines direct capital deployment with targeted technical assistance to overcome cultural barriers and regulatory hurdles in underserved communities.