The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, has opened the fiscal year 2026 funding round of the Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) Program through a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) published June 30, 2026 (FR Doc. 2026-13199).

The BEA Program provides formula-based grants to FDIC-insured banks and thrifts that have demonstrably increased: (1) their levels of loans, investments, and service activities to residents and businesses in economically distressed communities; and/or (2) their financial assistance and technical assistance to Certified CDFIs through equity investments, loans, grants, deposits, and other support.

Eligible activities are measured against a baseline period and an assessment period specified in the NOFA. Awards are calculated using a formula based on the dollar volume of eligible activity increases, providing direct financial incentive for banks to deepen engagement in underserved markets.

For banks and thrifts operating in or adjacent to distressed communities, the BEA Program offers a revenue opportunity tied directly to community development lending and investment activity already underway. Institutions considering applications should review the CDFI Fund's AMIS portal for the complete NOFA, eligibility criteria, and certification requirements.

For GovCon practitioners and their banking partners, BEA awards represent a federal subsidy mechanism that can make community development lending economically viable — relevant to any contractor whose work intersects with small business lending, HUBZone or opportunity zone investment, or financial institution partnerships.

Source: Federal Register — Doc. 2026-13199