FI Consulting joins Center for USA Lending as Champion Sponsor

The Center for USA Lending has added FI Consulting as a Champion Sponsor, expanding its coalition focused on federal credit performance, accountability and modernization. The partnership is meant to support research and policy work around more than $6 trillion in federal direct loans and loan guarantees.

Why it matters: - The sponsorship adds FI Consulting to a growing group backing efforts to improve federal credit programs that reach millions of Americans. - CUSAL is focused on strengthening performance, accountability and accessibility across more than $6 trillion in federal direct loans and loan guarantees. - The partnership is aimed at better lending policy, stronger borrower outcomes and tighter stewardship of public resources.

What happened: - The Center for USA Lending announced June 30, 2026 that FI Consulting is joining as a Champion Sponsor. - The partnership is designed to support CUSAL's mission to modernize the infrastructure that delivers federal lending. - FI Consulting will contribute to key research and policy initiatives and add visibility to CUSAL's work across the federal lending ecosystem.

The details: - CUSAL describes itself as a nonpartisan center focused on improving the performance, accountability and accessibility of federal credit programs. - FI Consulting brings experience in federal financial management, credit program analysis and agency advisory services. - The company has worked with federal agencies to improve the performance and transparency of complex financial programs. - Elizabeth Dudley, FI Consulting's Government Practice Leader, said the partnership is about helping credit programs deliver on their missions while ensuring responsible use of taxpayer resources, including a clear understanding of costs and risk. - Doug Criscitello, CUSAL's executive director, said FI Consulting's expertise in federal financial management and credit program analytics is what the federal credit community needs now. - Criscitello said CUSAL and FI Consulting will develop analytical tools and management frameworks to help agencies administer lending programs with greater precision and accountability. - CUSAL said FI Consulting's on-the-ground experience inside federal credit programs gives the center a practitioner perspective as it develops standards and recommendations. - CUSAL's mission includes convening government agencies, private sector partners and policy leaders to advance research, develop standards and promote mission-driven approaches to federal lending. - More information is available on CUSAL's website. - The announcement also provided a contact email: DCriscitello@usalending.org. - CUSAL's LinkedIn page is available as the center's social page.

Between the lines: - The announcement signals that CUSAL is building institutional support around federal credit reform, not just issuing policy recommendations. - FI Consulting's role suggests CUSAL wants more technical depth and implementation experience in its research agenda. - The emphasis on cost, risk and taxpayer stewardship reflects a broader push for tighter oversight of federal lending.

What's next: - FI Consulting is expected to take part in CUSAL research and policy efforts as the center expands its work with agencies and industry partners. - CUSAL will likely continue recruiting mission-aligned organizations to widen its influence in the federal lending space. - The partnership may help shape standards and tools for how agencies manage and measure federal credit programs.

The bottom line: - CUSAL is adding a technical and policy partner as it pushes to modernize federal lending and strengthen oversight.