Welcome to Federal Credit Fridays! The U.S. government is one of the largest lenders and credit guarantors on earth. Its portfolio is estimated at over $3.6 trillion, as measured by loan assets and the face value of loan guarantees. The government uses credit for a wide variety of policy missions, including housing, higher education, small businesses, rural and urban economic development, infrastructure, and export promotion, among others. This podcast will familiarize you with the vast world of federal credit, and we hope that you’ll learn about similarities and differences between these programs as well as the importance of their work to achieving policy missions within the framework of public-private collaboration.
In this episode of Federal Credit Fridays, host Anthony Curcio welcomes Samuel Seong, newly appointed partner at Summit, to discuss key trends and challenges in the federal credit landscape. With ongoing attention to administrative costs and efficiency, Seong shares his insights on how programs can streamline operations while maintaining their impact.
They dive into the importance of regularly reviewing processes, identifying necessary versus “nice-to-have” expenses, and adapting to potential reductions in regulatory burdens. Seong also highlights the increasing role of cost-sharing mechanisms, such as interest rate spreads and program fees, in managing the financial sustainability of federal credit initiatives.
As federal credit programs navigate a shifting environment under a new administration, Seong offers strategic recommendations for stakeholders looking to optimize their resources. He emphasizes the need for organizations to focus on core functions that justify their existence and deliver measurable value.
Throughout the conversation, Curcio and Seong discuss the broader implications of these shifts, not only for federal credit but for financial programs across sectors. Whether you’re involved in program administration, policy development, or financial oversight, this episode provides valuable takeaways on navigating federal credit in 2025 and beyond.
Tune in to gain expert insights into the future of federal credit and what it means for program managers, borrowers, and policymakers alike.
I hope you enjoy today’s conversation. Listen below and let us know what you think!
