A Federal Credit Fridays conversation with Anthony Curcio and Negin Shakibi (Principal, Savalan) on aligning public programs, private capital, and complex projects. Federal credit programs can unlock financing for major infrastructure, housing, energy, transportation, and manufacturing projects—but public agencies and private sponsors often approach risk, timing, and project structure differently.
In this episode of Federal Credit Fridays, Anthony and Negin discuss how Summit and Savalan came together to create Ascend (https://www.ascendllc.us/), bridging a divide that can lead to stronger applications and better outcomes.
The Federal Credit Gap
Private-sector sponsors may understand project finance but not the statutory rules and underwriting standards that guide federal lenders. Agencies know those requirements but may have less insight into commercial realities. The result can be incomplete applications, repeated questions, and delays that discourage strong applicants.
A Better Advisory Model
Ascend brings together federal credit expertise and private-sector transaction experience. That combined perspective helps sponsors identify the right program, build a credible financing case, navigate underwriting and negotiations, and manage requirements from application through closing.
Who Can Benefit
This approach can help sponsors facing a capital gap, developers unsure which federal program fits, first-time applicants, public-private partnerships, and agencies seeking to attract stronger borrowers. The key takeaway is simple: federal credit works best when programs and applicants understand one another.
Listen to the full episode of Federal Credit Fridays for the complete conversation: