The agreement will help Indigenous communities borrow money to build infrastructure. FNBC, an Indigenous-owned bank that serves mostly Indigenous clients, will match funds from the federal Crown corporation and manage the portfolio. (The Logic)

Talking point: The arrangement is meant to improve access to capital, living conditions and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities. Through the deal, CIB will finance smaller projects than what it typically backs, like roadworks, wastewater management, utility connections and housing. A number of efforts recently have sought to ease Indigenous communities’ access to capital and increase commercial opportunities. Scotiabank and three Indigenous partners have proposed launching Canada’s first Indigenous-owned investment dealer. And in November, CIB unveiled details of its plan to invest at least $1 billion in Indigenous infrastructure, allowing First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities to buy stakes in projects in their traditional territories.