Accion Opportunity Fund Names Veteran Financial Executive Sanjeev Patny as Chief Credit Officer
Patny, formerly a C-Suite executive at Covalto and American Express, will oversee the nonprofit’s portfolio strategy and inclusion-focused growth for small business owners across the country.

July 24th, 2024, SAN JOSE–Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) officially announced today the recent appointment of Sanjeev Patny as Chief Credit Officer, a position from which he will oversee the nonprofit lender’s commitment to expanding access to capital and lending resources for underinvested small business owners nationwide.
Mr. Patny is a longtime senior executive in the lending industry who brings to AOF a wealth of experience with a proven track record in credit risk management, underwriting and portfolio management. For the last three years, he oversaw decision-making infrastructure for small business credit at Covalto in Mexico City. Between 1997 and 2020, he held a series of leadership positions at American Express, most recently serving as its chief credit officer and vice president of commercial risk management.
“Joining Accion Opportunity Fund has given me an unparalleled opportunity to apply the learnings gained at American Express and Covalto in transforming financial systems for mission-driven lending,” said Mr. Patny. “I am excited to innovate and collaborate with this talented team to create a scalable, inclusive financial ecosystem that supports diverse entrepreneurs, particularly those who have been historically underserved.”
In his position, Mr. Patny is tasked with advancing economic mobility for women and people of color who own small businesses, as well as support low-income communities through affordable financial services, knowledge resources, networks and policy.
A federally recognized Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), AOF is committed to serving underinvested entrepreneurs who have the resolve but lack the resources to succeed. Over the last three decades, AOF’s investments have spurred $1 billion in new economic activity and created more than 50,000 new jobs. More than 90 percent of AOF’s clients are women, people of color and are low-to-moderate income.
“Sanjeev’s significant expertise and innovative approach to deploying technology and data analytics to increase financial inclusion through mission-driven nonprofit lending will significantly expand our reach and capacity,” said AOF CEO Luz Urrutia. “It’s a privilege to have someone with Sanjeev’s vision, background and commitment to AOF’s mission on our team as we work to become the first scalable, responsible and financially sustainable nonprofit lender for underinvested small businesses in the US.”
About Accion Opportunity Fund
Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) works to advance economic mobility for low-income communities, women, and people of color who own small businesses through affordable capital, knowledge resources, networks, and policy. Accion Opportunity Fund Community Development is the lending arm of Accion Opportunity Fund, California Finance Lender license #6050609. More at aofund.org.