Recent News
From former Comptroller of the Currency Gene Ludwig: financial institutions are eager to serve customers with middle-class incomes. But in other parts of the country — places where a greater proportion of local residents live below the poverty line — banks are few and far between. For much of the 20th century, policymakers struggled to identify effective ways to address this inequity. But 25 years ago, Washington took a key step in establishing a federal fund to support so-called Community Development Financial Institutions that serve communities traditional banks often leave behind. Now,... Read more
The West 30's Redemption Company was organized only three years ago, but it's already made a lasting impression on Covington. So when Bryan Burns, the group's founder, said a recent grant to the organization is the "single most impactful thing to ever happen to us," it's reason to take notice. The West 30's Redemption Company announced on Nov. 22 it received a $120,000 grant from The First, a National Banking Association, as well as the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. The event was marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting held Nov. 22 at the Northshore Community Foundation offices in... Read more
In the so-called 'new age' of banking, the shift in attention to tech-focused content is a clear indication that bankers are taking technology more seriously than they ever have. Count long-time Chief Executive Officer William A. “Bill” Ray in that number. “To keep up with technology in banking today, you have to expose yourself to what’s out there and study it because there is so much to choose from,” said Ray, who has served as the bank’s top officer since 1986. “Then, you have to invest in what you believe are the best technologies for your customers, employees and your... Read more
On Wednesday, November 20th, the Clinton Foundation hosted the "Economic Inclusion and Growth: The Way Forward" conference at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CDFI Fund and to honor the leaders of the CDFI industry. At the conference, Former President Bill Clinton recognized CDBA CEO Jeannine Jacokes by discussing her role as the leader of the trade association for CDFI banks, as well as a leader in the loan fund space as the CEO of Partners for the Common Good (PCG). Specifically, he lauded the recent work of CDBA and PCG on... Read more
On Wednesday, November 20th, the Clinton Foundation hosted the "Economic Inclusion and Growth: The Way Forward" conference at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CDFI Fund and to honor the leaders of the CDFI industry. At the conference, Former President Bill Clinton recognized CDBA CEO Jeannine Jacokes by discussing her role as the leader of the trade association for CDFI banks, as well as a leader in the loan fund space as the CEO of Partners for the Common Good (PCG). Specifically, he lauded the recent work of CDBA and... Read more
The US Department of Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund today awarded $31.37 million to 43 community development banks and bank holding companies through its CDFI Program and Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program Awards. With the awards, these banks will provide much-needed capital investments to small businesses and other critical community development projects such as affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and expansion into new geographic markets. The CDFI Program awards include Financial Assistance (FA), Technical Assistance (TA),... Read more
The US Department of Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund today awarded $31.37 million to 43 community development banks and bank holding companies through its CDFI Program and Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program Awards. With the awards, these banks will provide much-needed capital investments to small businesses and other critical community development projects such as affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and expansion into new geographic markets.
Expanding its presence into New Jersey and New York, Washington, D.C.-based Industrial Bank has acquired City National Bank of New Jersey, based in Newark. The deal means Industrial Bank will pick up two City National branches in Newark and one in Harlem, New York. The transaction came after City National Bank failed and was shut down on Nov. 1 by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The regulator appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. as... Read more
The StoryBank Project is a CDBA initiative to capture success stories of our member banks. These stories show how underserved communities benefit directly from mission-based banking and financial services. Our latest video highlights Citizens National Bank in Meridian, Mississippi. One client, Weidmann's Restaurant, will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year, making it the oldest continuously running restaurant in Mississippi. Another client, Adrian Cross, was able to buy a home for the first time.
In the 1980s, Michael Milken embodied Wall Street greed. A swashbuckling financier, he was charged with playing a central role in a vast insider-trading scheme and was sent to prison for violating federal securities and tax laws. He was an inspiration for the Gordon Gekko character in the film "Wall Street." Mr. Milken has spent the intervening decades trying to rehabilitate his reputation through an influential nonprofit think tank, the Milken Institute, devoted to initiatives “that advance prosperity.” These days, the Milken Institute is a leading proponent of a ... Read more
After overcoming numerous obstacles, and getting knocked to the ground earlier this decade, Native American Bank is solidly on its feet again and moving in a new direction. "It's all about perseverance, about the will to succeed," said chairman Kent Paul, at an opening ceremony for the bank's new location at 201 N. Broadway on Thursday. The Denver-based bank has left behind a 24th-floor office in a downtown highrise it leased for a building it owns on Broadway, a location that is street-level and more accessible. It will join a long-running retail branch the bank operates... Read more
Please join us as we examine the process that the FDIC uses to market failed bank franchises to other eligible insured banks. While the FDIC does not expect significant failure activity in the near future, it is important to periodically offer information and technical assistance regarding the process by which eligible CDFI banks may bid on failing institutions so you can better understand the process, the benefits for your institutions, and can explore whether you might be interested in future opportunities. The FDIC recently updated its franchise marketing documents and this is an... Read more
Chuck Snyder came to National Cooperative Bank in 1983 to serve as its chief financial officer. Today, it's a $2.6 billion dollar bank, holding $2.2 billion in deposits, and a portfolio of $2 billion in loans exclusively to housing co-ops, consumer co-ops, producer co-ops and other cooperatively-owned entities across the country. It's a bank, not a credit union, because its members are exclusively co-ops themselves, not individuals. It's survived three recessions, two major financial crises, and dramatic industry consolidation — in 1983, there were more than 14,000... Read more
Hearings and bill mark-ups are commonplace in many committees in the House of Representatives and Senate every day. These routine-but-important parts of the legislative process are great opportunities to leverage your advocacy goals. A hearing or mark-up is a perfect opportunity to activate your advocates with a specific call to action (CTA). Your advocacy appeal can be issued before a hearing, during, after, or "all of the above" for maximum effect. Beyond your traditional email, text and social media campaign you can get a little more disruptive and creative for maximum effect. More... Read more
On Tuesday, October 22, CDBA Members Kenneth Kelly of First Independence Bank and Jeff Bowman of Bay Bank testified before the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions in a hearing titled, "An Examination of the Decline of Minority Depository Institutions and the Impact on Underserved Communities."
Be inquisitive and never stop learning. Those were two pieces of advice Bob Jones, CEO and President of United Bank, shared with Harbert College of Business students on Monday, October 14. "Things change so quickly that what you learn today, by the time you get into the workplace, it's going to be dramatically different. If you think you know it all, and you stop, it's going to blow by you in a heartbeat." United Bank is a full-service community bank in Atmore that serves southwest Alabama, and parts of the Florida Panhandle. Jones, a former accountant and U.S. Navy... Read more
The CDFI Fund and BCT Partners are excited to announce that registration is now open for the "Expanding the Capacity of CDFIs to Serve People with Disabilities" in-person trainings in Los Angeles, CA and Philadelphia, PA. "Access for All" is a training and technical assistance series offered through the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund's (CDFI Fund) Capacity Building Initiative to increase the impact and reach of CDFIs in support of the economic development goals of people with disabilities. Through the "Access for All" series, the CDFI Fund will endeavor to increase the... Read more
The StoryBank Project is a CDBA initiative to capture success stories of our member banks. These stories show how underserved communities benefit directly from mission-based banking and financial services. Our latest video highlights Metro Bank in Louisville, Kentucky. Their client, Kidwell's Auto Beautification, employs dozens of community members, including formerly incarcerated people. Another client, Omni Medical Center, was given a loan by Metro Bank to serve underserved areas of Louisville.
In 2016, Fahe, a regional Network, financial intermediary, and CDFI, received $50 million in loan awards from the USDA Community Facilities Relending Program to pursue its mission: ending persistent poverty in Appalachia. Among its numerous initiatives, Fahe sought to build several community facilities, including daycare and opioid-addiction rehabilitation centers. However, borrowers may not use awards for construction projects. The timing was also sensitive, as these USDA funds must be drawn by September 30, 2021. Fahe needed construction money, and it turned to Virginia Community... Read more
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Kathleen L. Kraninger announced the appointment of members to the Consumer Advisory Board (CAB), Community Bank Advisory Council (CBAC), Credit Union Advisory Council (CUAC), and Academic Research Council (ARC). These experts advise Bureau leadership on a broad range of consumer financial issues and emerging market trends. Valerie Quiett, SVP and Chief Legal Officer at M&F Bank in Durham NC, was named to the CBAC.