"Darrin L. Williams would like to clear up some misconceptions about his mission. As CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc., one of America's oldest and largest community development financial institutions (CDFIs), he issues loans and works with clients in parts of Arkansas and Mississippi where traditional banks often fear to tread. But he still needs to make money.

'I get that a lot: "Oh, you're that nonprofit bank," says Williams. 'If we're a nonprofit bank, we're doing a bad job. We have to be profitable ... If there's no margin, it doesn't matter what our mission is.'"