"Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime." This maxim represents well what ACCION New Mexico is all about. Their core mission is helping budding entrepreneurs gain access to business credit. More importantly, they provide training to small business owners that allows them opportunity to become self sufficient.

ACCION New Mexico, founded in 1994, has financed nearly 1,000 businesses in New Mexico with loans totaling more than $3.5 million. Well over half of the loans issued by ACCION are given to low-income borrowers, women and minorities. ACCION New Mexico prides itself on the ability to provide these loans through vital partnerships with area lending institutions. Collaborating banks often help process the loan information and hand over loan checks right from bank branch offices.

Employees of ACCION are taught to provide confidentiality and respect to each and every client. They are trained in ethical self-conduct and behavior which allows them to become partners with the clients they serve.

Loan officers help their clients think clearly about the next business steps by offering advice and understanding. As one client put it, "I know how ethical and hard working I am, but it didn't look like it on paper. ACCION took the time to hear the whole story."