For 45 years, the African American congregation of First Union Baptist Church has worshipped and served together in a historic building on Grand Concourse in the Bronx. However, over the last ten years the church has faced significant financial troubles. Now, Spring Bank is proud to facilitate a redesign of the location, including 45 new units of affordable housing and new retail space to help the church continue its legacy. "This was not a cookie-cutter loan request," says Akbar Rizvi, the bank's Chief Lending Officer. "But at Spring Bank we pride ourselves on making hard deals work if the community benefits."