Founded in December 1997, West Philadelphia Financial Services Institution (WPFSI) is a community-based, non-profit financial service organization dedicated to stimulating economic developement in the West Philadelphia Empowerment Zone( Zone Map). WPFSI recognizes that the community encompassed by the Empowerment Zone has been under-served by traditional financial institutions. As the Empowerment Zone's financial institution, WPFSI responds to this neglect with a commitment to investing in this community.

West Philadelphia Financial Services Institution provides services such as loans and technical assistance to nurture established businesses and new entrepreneurs in West Philadelphia, and to encourage businesses to relocate within the Empowerment Zone(Map).

WPFSI provides hands-on assistance to borrowers and potential borrowers. Potential borrowers initially approach WPFSI with a variety of business management and credit needs. One-on-one consultation is available to the entrepreneurs to help them identify the needs of their emerging businesses. Help is available during the application process, since for many it is their first request for credit. On-going one-on-one technical assistance from WPFSI staff after loan closing fosters and strengthens the relationship with borrowers and has become an integral component of WPFSI's loan administration efforts.

Borrowers and potential borrowers are also assisted in finding in-depth technical assistance through workshops and classes on creating business plans, credit counseling, financing business growth, bookkeeping, inventory management and other topics important to small business owners.