New Hampshire Community Loan Fund Receives A- Issuer Default Rating From Fitch With Positive Outlook

New Hampshire Community Loan Fund announced on October 19, 2026, that Fitch Ratings assigned it an 'A-' Issuer Default Rating with a Positive Outlook, making it one of a small number of CDFIs nationwide rated by a credit rating agency registered with and regulated by the SEC. The Concord-based nonprofit, founded in 1983, provides loans, coaching and technical assistance to manufactured-home buyers, resident-owned communities, small businesses, nonprofits and municipalities across New Hampshire. The announcement was distributed by Business Wire.

Fitch's A- Rating and the Fund's Loan Growth

Fitch cited the Community Loan Fund's four-decade track record, its leading position in lending to resident-owned manufactured-home communities, and its strong asset quality, including a five-year average nonperforming loan ratio of 1.2%, net charge-offs averaging 0.0%, and zero losses on ROC loans. The Positive Outlook reflects improving leverage and capital, with the debt-to-equity ratio improving to 2.0x in fiscal 2025 and 2026 from more than 3.0x in the prior five-year period, and Fitch's core capital ratio rising to 26%. Fitch noted the rating could move higher if these trends continue.

"For more than four decades, we've shown that lending to resident-owned communities and manufactured-home owners is both mission-critical and financially sound," said Steve Saltzman, President and CEO of New Hampshire Community Loan Fund. "This rating opens the door to new institutional investors, and that capital will help more homeowners preserve their communities, more families finance a home, and more local businesses grow."

The rating follows steady growth. The loan portfolio grew from $153 million in fiscal 2022 to $213 million in fiscal 2026, and the earned income ratio reached 95%, reflecting limited reliance on grants. Fitch credited disciplined underwriting and risk management, and recognized the Community Loan Fund's borrower support programs, including financial education, counseling and loss mitigation, as contributing to its credit performance.

New Hampshire Community Loan Fund's Lending Record

According to akta.pro company records, New Hampshire Community Loan Fund has invested more than $518 million since 1983, saved or preserved more than 11,000 affordable homes across New Hampshire, and made borrowers of more than 1,400 first-time homeowners. The same records show Albany Acres Cooperative became its 153rd resident-owned community in June 2026, extending the ROC model to 42 additional manufactured homes. Its funding records list a $2.5 million grant in April 2023 led by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

Other Credit Rating Actions on October 19

Moody's upgraded ProHealth Care to 'Aa3' on October 19, 2026, citing 562 days of cash on hand, Beckershospitalreview reported. Moody's Ratings also upgraded Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings' Corporate Family Rating to B3 from Caa1, TradingView reported. Fitch lifted UniCredit Bulbank's viability rating to 'bbb-' from 'bb+' and affirmed its long-term issuer default rating at 'A-' with a stable outlook, SeeNews reported.

What the Rating Means for the Fund

The rating is expected to broaden access to institutional investors and diversify funding, supporting the expansion of the Community Loan Fund's lending across New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and the Northeast. Momentus Securities served as the fund's exclusive financial advisor throughout the rating process. "New Hampshire Community Loan Fund has proven that resident ownership and disciplined lending go hand in hand," said Jaime Aldama, President and CEO of Momentus Securities. "This rating, and its Positive Outlook, gives institutional investors an independent benchmark for that track record and positions the Community Loan Fund to bring new, long-term capital to the communities it serves."