Access Plus Capital received a $1 million "EQ2" investment from Community West Bank. Photo contributed

Access Plus Capital, a nonprofit community development financial institution that provides affordable financing and resources to small businesses in underserved communities, announced a $1 million Equity Equivalent Investment (EQ2) from Community West Bank.

The investment from the Fresno-based bank will expand Access Plus Capital’s lending capacity, allowing it to offer flexible, affordable loan products to entrepreneurs who face challenges accessing traditional financing, according to a news release.

“This investment from Community West Bank is a testament to the power of collaboration in building stronger, more equitable communities,” Tate Hill, president and CEO of Access Plus Capital, said in a news release. “With this partnership, we can extend our impact by providing more entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed, fostering economic mobility in the areas we serve.”

James J. Kim, president and CEO of Community West Bank, shared his excitement about the investment. 

“Community West Bank is proud to partner with Access Plus Capital in support of the mission to eliminate economic barriers to financial success through fair and equitable community investment,” Kim said. “We consider this a privilege to partner with Access Plus Capital and provide support to the business communities that our Company and our team calls home.”