Lendistry has secured a $100 million credit facility from East West Bank to support its Airport Concessions Program (ACP), with an additional $100 million accordion feature for expanded borrowing capacity.
Lendistry’s $100 million debt financing represents a significant expansion of Lendistry’s partnership with East West Bank. It builds directly on a prior $75 million facility provided in 2025, which supported Lendistry’s SBA 7(a) lending operations.
What is Lendistry?
Lendistry, founded in 2015 and headquartered in the Los Angeles area (Brea, CA), operates as a tech enabled small business lender, grant administrator, and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with Community Development Entity (CDE) certification. It is also an SBA Preferred Lender and ranks as the #2 non bank SBA 7(a) lender nationally.
The company focuses on undercapitalized and underserved entrepreneurs, particularly in urban and rural communities, using proprietary technology for faster, more equitable lending decisions. Since inception, Lendistry has deployed over $10.5 billion in loans and grants to approximately 640,000 small businesses. It partners with government entities, major brands (e.g., Visa, Amazon, Walmart), and has specialized programs like those for contractors, startups, and now airport concessions.
Its mission emphasizes responsible terms, fintech convenience, and addressing barriers that traditional lenders often overlook, avoiding predatory practices.
Details of the $100M Credit Facility
- Lender: East West Bank, a financial institution with a focus on commercial banking, specialty finance, and support for small businesses and cross border needs.
- Amount: $100 million initial commitment, plus a $100 million accordion feature allowing scaling based on demand and performance.
- Purpose: Dedicated to Lendistry’s Airport Concessions Program (ACP), launched in 2019. The program provides flexible funding to small businesses operating in U.S. airport terminals, many of which are ACDBE (Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) certified or locally owned licensees of national brands (e.g., independent operators of Starbucks, convenience stores, or eateries).
- Strategic Fit: Airport concession businesses face unique challenges, including complex lease structures, high operational costs, security requirements, and limited access to traditional capital despite their “Main Street” economic impact. ACP addresses this niche, having already deployed $98 million across 16 states since 2019.
Specific terms such as interest rates, maturity, covenants, or collateral are not publicly detailed in announcements (typical for such facilities), but it functions as a revolving credit line to enable ongoing lending.
The facility provides Lendistry with dedicated, scalable capital to accelerate ACP without straining balance sheet resources from other programs. The accordion feature offers flexibility to respond to demand in the growing airport sector, where post pandemic recovery and expansions create opportunities for concessionaires. This positions Lendistry to increase its footprint in a specialized market where few lenders have tailored expertise.
The deal deepens ties with East West Bank, evolving from SBA 7(a) support to sector specific financing. East West Bank’s commitment signals confidence in Lendistry’s underwriting, technology, and repayment performance. Quotes from executives highlight shared goals around economic opportunity and small business support.
Consistent with Lendistry’s CDFI status and mission, the funding targets historically undercapitalized businesses. Airport concessions often involve minority, women, or disadvantaged enterprises, aligning with ACDBE goals and broader community development objectives. This enhances Lendistry’s reputation in impact investing and government/corporate partnerships.
Recommended: GenerativeX Raises $4M In Series A Funding Round
Risk and Operational Considerations:
- Sector Risks: Airport operations are sensitive to travel volatility (e.g., economic downturns, health crises, or fuel prices). Concession leases can be competitive and capital intensive.
- Credit Risk Management: Lendistry’s proprietary tech and experience in alternative data/equitable underwriting help mitigate risks for non traditional borrowers, but scaling rapidly requires strong portfolio performance and monitoring.
- Leverage: As debt financing, this increases Lendistry’s leverage for lending activities while potentially improving returns on equity, assuming prudent deployment and collections.
In a competitive small business lending landscape, this differentiates Lendistry through niche specialization (airports alongside SBA, contractor finance, etc.). It bolsters its role as a bridge between traditional banking, fintech efficiency, and social impact. Broader industry trends favor such facilities amid demand for responsible alternative capital.
This $100M (potentially $200M) facility underscores Lendistry’s maturation from a startup to a scaled CDFI/fintech player capable of attracting institutional debt partners. It directly supports job creation and local economic vitality in airport ecosystems while advancing equitable access to capital. For borrowers, it means expanded availability of tailored financing for growth, equipment, or working capital in a high barrier environment.
The transaction is a positive development that enhances Lendistry’s capacity, credibility, and mission delivery in a targeted, high potential segment.
Please email us your feedback and news tips at hello(at)superbcrew.com
