Kristen Smith 
A new nonprofit organization called the Center for USA Lending has launched with the aim of modernizing how federal agencies administer loans and loan guaranties and manage the government’s credit portfolio. The Washington, D.C.–based center seeks to advance data, technology and management standards across more than 125 federal credit programs, GovNavigators said Friday.
Who Is Leading the Center?
Doug Criscitello serves as the founding executive director of the Center for USA Lending. Criscitello is a former senior government official who held key roles at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Small Business Administration. He is also the founding executive director of the Golub Center for Finance and Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and, most recently, was a fellow at Arnold Ventures.
What Will the Center Focus On?
The center will concentrate on improving outcomes for borrowers, lenders and taxpayers; strengthening program integrity; and promoting commercial-grade data and technology standards across federal lending agencies. Early initiatives will include exploring opportunities for shared administrative services, system modernization and improved budgeting processes.
“Federal credit programs are among the government’s most powerful tools for public investment, but many rely on legacy information technology systems and fragmented approaches that limit their effectiveness,” said Criscitello. “Our mission is to address these challenges head-on, bringing commercial best practices, modern technology, and clear standards to strengthen performance, reduce fraud, and build public trust.”
The Center for USA Lending is scheduled to formally launch on Dec. 12 at an event in Washington, D.C.
