Point of view 01
Access is the starting line, not the finish.
Reaching owners the system screens out is the first proof point — not the achievement.
571
Average incoming credit score, below the threshold CDFI lenders typically use.
The event at a glance
Everything you need to cover, attend, or write about Getting Ready to Grow. For anything not answered here, we are one email away.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Getting Ready to Grow: How Small Capital Drives Economic Mobility |
| Date and time | Wednesday, September 16, 2026 · 8:30 – 10:00 AM Eastern Time |
| Venue | MetLife, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY |
| Format | Hybrid — in person at MetLife and streamed online. One registration covers both. |
| Registration | Register here |
| Language | English |
| Who is in the room | Funders, CDFI practitioners, researchers, and policy partners — in the United States and internationally |
| Convened by | Ascendus, with MetLife Foundation and the Urban Institute |
| Press contact | [email protected] |
Getting there
The venue is the MetLife Building, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 — directly above Grand Central. Here is every way in: on foot, by subway, and by car.
When entering the MetLife Building from the 200 Park Avenue entrance:
- After entering the building through the 200 Park Avenue entrance, locate the escalator directly on your right, and take it up one floor.
- After exiting the first escalator, locate a second escalator on the right. There will be a MetLife security guard standing right beside the escalator and can help with any questions or confusion.
- Once you have exited the second escalator, the MetLife security desk will be located directly in front of you.
- Please sign in at the security desk and receive your visitor badge.
When entering the MetLife Building from Grand Central Station:
- From the Main Concourse, locate the escalator bank marked “To 45th Street / MetLife Building” and ride up one level.
- Pass through the rotating, glass doors, locate the second set of escalators ahead, and ride up one more level.
- Continue walking straight until you reach a small seating area that overlooks the 200 Park Avenue entrance.
- Turn left and locate a third set of escalators on your left.
- The MetLife security desk will be located directly in front of you.
- Please sign in at the security desk and receive your visitor badge.
Arriving at Grand Central
The building sits directly above the terminal. Grand Central – 42 St is served by the 4, 5, 6, 7 and S subway lines, and by Metro-North. From the Main Concourse, follow the Grand Central entrance directions above.
Penn Station
- From inside Penn Station, follow signs to the Uptown 1/2/3 platforms (34th St – Penn Station)
- Board an Uptown 1, 2, or 3 train and ride to Times Square – 42nd St.
- Transfer to the 42nd Street Shuttle (S) eastbound and ride one stop to Grand Central – 42nd St.
- Once in Grand Central Station, follow the previous directions to reach the MetLife security desk.
Port Authority
- From inside Port Authority (W 42nd St & 8th Ave), follow signs to the Times Square – 42 St subway complex.
- At Times Square-42 St, board the 7-train eastbound (toward Flushing/Main St).
- Ride one stop to Grand Central – 42 St.
- Once in Grand Central Station, follow the previous directions to reach the MetLife security desk.
If you plan to drive to the MetLife Building and need parking, there is a parking garage, operated by SP+ Parking, located directly beneath the MetLife building. The garage is open 24 hours and can be accessible through the viaduct ramp on Park Ave and 46th St.
Address
168 Park Avenue Viaduct, New York, New York, 10017
If you are using GPS, please be sure to use zip code “10166” to ensure accuracy.
If you are using GPS, please be sure to use zip code “10166” to ensure accuracy.
Heading north
From south of 39th St & Park Avenue heading North, keep left up the viaduct ramp at E 39th Street. Follow traffic until you see the black columns above the garage entrance.
Heading south
From north of 46th street & Park Ave. heading South, access the viaduct ramp at E 46th St, entering the tunnel adjacent to The Helmsley Building. Follow traffic until you see the “Welcome to 200 Park Avenue” sign above the garage entrance.
Before you arrive
- Please arrive by 8:15 AM. Sign-in and badging at the security desk take a few minutes, and the program starts promptly at 8:30.
- Bring photo identification. MetLife building security requires it at the visitor desk.
- Your name must be on the access list. If you have not yet told us you are joining in person, write to [email protected].
- Step-free access: [PENDING — confirm the elevator route with MetLife building management and replace this line before publishing.]
Doors and check-in are managed by MetLife building security. For access questions on the day of the event, contact [email protected].
What we will discuss
Every lending system has to draw a line somewhere, and the same rules applied evenly still leave capable owners on the other side of it. So we asked a question: what changes when capital is designed around the owner? Get Ready is the case being built — one layer of evidence at a time.
Point of view 02
Small capital, designed well, lowers the risk that keeps owners out.
An innovation inside the existing system, not a replacement for it.
41%
Of borrowers evaluated for an increase graduated from the $500 line to the $5,000 line. Across all borrowers, 35%.
Point of view 03
The model is capital and support. The change is human.
Habits, confidence, and someone who believes in an owner's potential.
76%
In active good standing or closed with obligations met, as of March 2025.
Point of view 04
Financial health starts with the owner and flows back to the household.
It strengthens the business along the way. This is where the work is heading.
32%
Had household incomes under $30,000. Six borrowers moved into larger, traditional loans.
All figures from Brett Theodos and Amanda Hermans, Building Credit for Small Business Owners: A Case Study of the Get Ready Program, Urban Institute, October 2025. Please attribute to the Urban Institute.
What Get Ready is
A credit-building line of credit paired with one-on-one financial coaching, launched by Ascendus in 2023 and supported by MetLife Foundation.
| Element | How it works |
|---|---|
| Starting line | A revolving $500 line of credit. Personal credit score is not an eligibility requirement. |
| Graduation | After three months of on-time repayment and other good financial habits, borrowers can move to a $5,000 line. |
| Coaching | One-on-one, tailored to each owner, at least quarterly — plus support in between. Focused on credit utilization, positive balances, and reducing derogatory debt. |
| Beyond the program | Six borrowers have moved into larger, traditional business loans with Ascendus. |
| Reach | 174 borrowers since 2023, across 20 states. Concentrated in New York (31%), Florida (20%), and Georgia (18%). |
| Why a line, not a loan | A revolving line builds credit history more effectively than a term loan, even at a low dollar amount. |
Get Ready Stories of Ascension
Surfing Queen™
Gisele Eboma
I already had sales in the first week!Read the story
Easton’s Virtual Consulting
Myesha Radney
Detroit, MI
All the skills I learned in three months, I can take and apply to the next ten years.Read the story
Flynn Me
Jerry Joseph
Boston, MA
I don’t need to just maintain my business anymore. I can sustain it.Read the story
The Elite Academy of Excellence
Carmen Fields Brooks
Marietta, GA
I believe in awakening natural genius in our children.Read the story
K House Kandles
Kalesha Boose
Atlanta, GA
I got a credit line increase from $500 to $5,000 in just a few months.Read the story
Shalom Beauty Bar
Maria V. Garcia
New York, NY
…a sense of peace, confidence, and empowerment.Read the story
Kahindo
Kahindo Mateene
New York, NY
Ascendus came in and taught me how to clean up my credit…Read the story
Full stories at ascendus.org/client-stories. For interviews with any of these business owners, contact [email protected].
Voices in the room
A funder, a lender, a researcher, and the two people on either side of a Get Ready relationship — each bringing a different vantage point on the same question.
Moderator
Tia Hodges
MetLife Foundation
Speaker
Paul Quintero
Ascendus
Speaker
Brett Theodos
Urban Institute
Speaker
Neysa Cruceta
Ascendus
Speaker
A Get Ready borrower
Ascendus client
Titles and biographies to be announced. The participating business owner is named publicly only with written consent. For interview requests, contact [email protected].
The research behind the conversation
A two-part study by the Urban Institute, funded by MetLife Foundation. Part One is published. Part Two follows in December.
Building Credit for Small Business Owners
Part One examines access and implementation: who the program reaches, whether the model is workable, and what borrowers say about it. Mixed methods — interviews with three program leaders and nine borrowers, plus program data on 174 borrowers and pre-loan credit data on 161.
Read Part One (PDF)Part Two
We will share the title, scope, and publication date as soon as they are confirmed. Credit Lines, the Ascendus newsletter, carries the announcement first.
Get notifiedFacts and figures
Verified figures only. Please do not round, approximate, or combine these differently than shown.
About Ascendus
35+
Years of service, since 1991
$435M
In financial support deployed
62,000+
Entrepreneurs served
78%+
Women entrepreneurs, immigrant entrepreneurs, or entrepreneurs of color
$500–$100K
Loan range
About the Get Ready program
| Figure | What it means |
|---|---|
| 174 | Borrowers since the program launched in 2023, as of March 2025. Pre-loan credit data available for 161. |
| 571 | Average credit score of an incoming borrower, below the threshold CDFI lenders typically use |
| 41% | Of borrowers evaluated for an increase, approved for the $5,000 line or beyond. Across all borrowers, 35%. |
| 76% | Of accounts in active good standing or closed with obligations met, as of March 2025 |
| 11% | Of accounts closed and written off — better than the 20% Ascendus initially expected |
| 32% | Of borrowers had household incomes under $30,000 |
| $53,556 | Median borrower household income, against a national median of $78,538 in 2023 |
| 20 states | Where the program has lent, after an initial pilot in New York City |
| 150 | Potential borrowers in the application pipeline |
| 6 | Borrowers who moved beyond the program into larger, traditional business loans |
Program figures from the Urban Institute study, October 2025. Organizational figures from Ascendus.
Citing our data
How to cite these figures
Two of them carry a qualifier that changes what they mean. Both are short enough to quote in full.
- 41% is the share of borrowers evaluated for an increase. Across all 174 borrowers, the figure is 35%. Both are correct; they answer different questions.
- 76% is the share of accounts in active good standing or closed with obligations met. It is not a good-standing figure on its own.
- Attribution. Research findings should be attributed to the Urban Institute, not to Ascendus.
Approved boilerplate
Copy and paste. These are the cleared descriptions of Ascendus in English and Spanish.
English
One sentence
Ascendus is a nationwide Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides access to capital and personalized financial coaching to small business owners.
Two sentences
Ascendus is a mission-driven, nationwide Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with over 35 years of experience empowering small business owners. We provide access to capital and personalized financial coaching to help entrepreneurs achieve financial health and ascend toward lasting success.
Full paragraph
Ascendus is a mission-driven, nationwide Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with over 35 years of experience empowering small business owners. We provide access to capital and personalized financial coaching to help entrepreneurs achieve financial health and ascend toward lasting success. With deep local impact and national reach, Ascendus has delivered over $435 million in financial support to more than 62,000 entrepreneurs — many from historically overlooked communities. From corner bakeries in the Bronx to beauty salons in Miami, we help build thriving businesses and vibrant neighborhoods, shaping a future of financial ascension for all.
Español
Una oración
Ascendus es una Institución Financiera de Desarrollo Comunitario (CDFI) con alcance nacional que brinda acceso a capital y asesoría financiera personalizada a dueños de pequeños negocios.
Párrafo completo
Ascendus es una Institución Financiera de Desarrollo Comunitario (CDFI) impulsada por su misión, con alcance nacional y más de 35 años de experiencia empoderando a dueños de pequeños negocios. Proporcionamos acceso a capital y asesoría financiera personalizada para ayudar a los emprendedores a alcanzar la salud financiera y ascender hacia un éxito duradero. Con profundo impacto local y alcance nacional, Ascendus ha entregado más de $435 millones en apoyo financiero a más de 62.000 emprendedores, muchos de comunidades históricamente pasadas por alto. Desde panaderías en el Bronx hasta salones de belleza en Miami, ayudamos a construir negocios prósperos y vecindarios vibrantes, forjando un futuro de ascensión financiera para todos.
The event, in one sentence
Getting Ready to Grow: How Small Capital Drives Economic Mobility is convened by Ascendus with MetLife Foundation and the Urban Institute on September 16, 2026, at MetLife, 200 Park Avenue, New York, and online.
Assets and downloads
Everything cleared for publication. Logos, photography, and the research brief.
Research brief, Part One
PDF · Urban Institute, October 2025. Reproduction permitted with attribution to the Urban Institute.
Speaker headshots
ZIP · Tia Hodges, Paul Quintero, Brett Theodos, and Neysa Cruceta. Titles and biographies to follow.
Full press kit
ZIP · 2.5 MB. Press release, logo pack, speaker headshots, the Part One research brief, and approved boilerplate in English and Spanish.
Event press release
PDF · The announcement, the speakers, the published findings with their qualifiers, and approved boilerplate for all three organizations. Every reference is a live link.
Ascendus logo pack
ZIP · SVG and PNG. Purple, white, black, and original lockups, with and without the tagline, plus favicons and usage rules.
Client photography
ZIP · 8.4 MB. Fourteen portraits of small business owners at 1920px, with credit line and caption guidance.
Using the Ascendus brand
| Element | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Logo | Use the purple lockup by default; white on purple, dark, or photographic backgrounds. Keep clearspace equal to the height of the logomark on all sides. Minimum width 150px. |
| Never | Change the typeface, alter letter spacing, lean, stretch, squash, or invert the color order. |
| Colors | Dream Purple #753DBD is primary. Passion Orange #EA560D is an accent only. Charcoal #2C2C2C is used in place of pure black. |
| Tagline | "This Way Up" — always placed from the approved artwork, never set as live text. |
| Name | Ascendus — one word, capital A, never abbreviated or hyphenated. |
Press contact
Talk to us before you publish.
Interview requests, additional data, photography clearance, or a question about how to phrase a finding — we would rather help you get it right than correct it afterward.