AKIPTAN
ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
Akiptan is a Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides loans and technical assistance to those in Native Agriculture.
Akiptan offers a whole suite of services that include financing youth, start ups, operating costs and ownership.
Our CDFI takes it a step further and works with the client to assist with technical support as well as provide financial literacy training to help create a knowledgeable borrower.
Akiptan continues to have a record demand of applications and while this means that our style of financing and technical assistance is needed, it is also generating a longer waiting period during the application process. However, our staff is doing the best that they can to process all applications in a timely manner, while also making sure that borrowers continue to receive proper technical assistance and beneficial financing. Please know that the timeline is currently a few months out from application submission to the Loan Committee for review. If you have concerns about the timeline of your application, please reach out to your loan officer or email us at info@akiptan.org.
LOAN VS INVESTMENT
Akiptan, being a Native CDFI, has the unique ability to develop loan programs that can truly benefit Natives in agriculture. Akiptan is able to provide a traditional loan where a certain amount of money is borrowed and repaid back over several years. But, Akiptan is also able to provide a loan that allows for upfront capacity growth by “Investing” in your operation with an interest only payment option for several years before repaying the principal. This is what Akiptan calls the "Interest Only Option."​
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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Akiptan provides ongoing technical assistance to clients throughout the loan process so that client's can be successful in their operations. Technical assistance takes the business relationship far beyond just a lender and a borrower. With the technical assistance, the lender is not only providing financial advice, but also learning how the client operates. The borrower is not just receiving funds, but also learning on how he/she/they can diversify their operation and/or learn how to do things differently.