About Leading Lenders

Leading Lenders provides a free online toolkit, a blog and other dynamic content for employees of lending institutions who are supporting women entrepreneurs towards success.

With only 16% of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses majority women-owned, there is both a need to close that gap and a significant opportunity to increase the overall volume of entrepreneurs. The objective of Leading Lenders is to share the latest information with lenders about the challenges relating to women pursuing business financing. The long-term goal is to increase the volume of women entrepreneurs — a win-win for everyone.

CBDC Restigouche developed Leading Lenders through project funding provided by the federal government's Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) under the WES Ecosystem Fund and is administered by the  Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

National Advisory CommitteeThe Leading Lenders’ National Advisory Committee, which includes experts from both the lending and business industries, provides insight and guidance on the creation and direction of the leadinglenders.ca website as well as related awareness campaign activities. 

CBDC RestigoucheLeading Lenders is delivered by the  Restigouche Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC), based in Campbellton, New Brunswick. Part of the Community Futures Network of Canada, CBDC Restigouche delivers a range of small business support programs, as well as innovative programs and projects in the areas of training, research, workplace essential skills and entrepreneurship.