CA Loan Match

Objective

Despite billions of dollars in federal funding, many entrepreneurs of color in California still face systemic barriers to accessing capital. CA Loan Match—an initiative from the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE), in partnership with IBank, NextStreet, and Hyphen—was created to close this gap through a statewide campaign and a new digital platform.

The challenge was twofold: raise awareness among underserved small business owners and build trust in a new, easy-to-use tool that connects users with responsible, non-predatory lenders.

Scope

Brand Naming & Visual Identity
Website UI/UX Design
Messaging Framework
Digital & OOH Campaign Assets
Go-to-Market Strategy

The Solution

Our first step was to define the brand voice—clear, empowering, and community-oriented. We developed the name “CA Loan Match” to reflect the platform’s simplicity and value.

Barretto-Co. was brought on to lead the branding, digital experience, and campaign strategy for this high-impact initiative.

The visual identity uses bold, approachable typography and a color palette rooted in trust and optimism. We created an intuitive website interface that allows users to filter lenders by geography, loan amount, and eligibility. The platform had to be more than beautiful—it had to be functional, mobile-friendly, and accessible across a range of digital literacy levels.

To support the launch, we also developed a comprehensive go-to-market strategy, including digital display ads, out-of-home media, radio spots, and a partner playbook to help local organizations spread the word.

Impact

Barretto-Co. transformed a financial equity initiative into a human-centered brand that drives real economic impact.

Since its launch, CA Loan Match has connected entrepreneurs to over $2 billion in responsible loans. The platform serves as a critical bridge—empowering small businesses with the tools and trust needed to grow and thrive.