News
Many impact oriented banks are now looking to restrict their investments to only environmentally sustainable companies. This includes Amalgamated Bank's refusal to invest in companies that harm the planet, Sunrise Banks seeking high financial and environmental returns, and Beneficial State Bank's distribution of profits to environmentally conscious community projects. Supporting banks like these are a great way the average consumer can play their part.
During the long government shutdown, small business owners in Minnesota and nation-wide faced difficulties getting approval for new SBA-backed loans. Chris Albrecht, Senior Vice President and Director of SBA lending for Sunrise Banks, explained that the shutdown prevented them from getting government confirmation, despite businesses desperately needing the capital. The government has since re-opened, but now catching up may take some time. "No one is quite sure what the backlog could be," said Albrecht.
Join leaders in banking, philanthropy, impact investing, and community development to engage in action-oriented dialogue around addressing the financial service gaps that limit economic mobility for many rural people and places. Speakers include Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors Jerome H. Powell, the Emerson Collective's Anne Marie Burgoyne, and many more. Register here by February 1st.
In Washington, D.C., communities east of the Anacostia River haven't benefited from the same economic development as the rest of the city. Additionally, the past decade has seen a steady decline in brick and mortar banks across the country. All this has led to a diminishing of access to financial services for low-income working families and minorities, obstacles to small business lending, and a stifling of capital availability in areas that need it most. Now JPMorgan Chase, along with their expansion into the city, are looking to meet these needs in a variety of ways. Read more here.
This week's CDBA Storybank video highlights First Eagle Bank in Chicago, Illinois. Its featured client, MDC Economic Development Corporation, specializes in public housing renovation in the city's most underserved areas. MDC is part of the Do For Self Community Development Corporation, an initiative to train, employ, and develop former gang members, ex-offenders, and other socially disenfranchised members of the community so they can transform the communities they live in while earning a legitimate income. Watch the video here.
Last year, Congress introduced the Opportunity Zones program for economic development in distressed areas. These zones represent low income rural and urban areas that can benefit from private economic revitalization. For investors, the short term benefit of an Opportunity Zone is primarily the deferral of capital gains taxes, if the investment in the zone is maintained. Virginia Community Capital says it is cautious but optimistic of the positive effects of this program for areas like Franklin County.
Citizens National Bank's John C. McRae has been honored in this year's Bank Investment Consultant's Top 100 Bank Advisors list. Bank Investment Consultant is a leading publication in the industry and has named McRae in this list three unique times. McRae serves on the bank's Wealth Management Division, is a Branch Manager, and also a Senior Financial Advisor. "I am still humbled by this recognition," says McRae. "I look forward to continuing to serve our clients in the accumulation, preservation and transfer of wealth."
As consumers migrate to banking apps, it is tempting for lenders to focus solely on improving that experience. But new data suggests that consumers aren't abandoning other platforms completely. Smartphone apps have become the most popular way for consumers to use mobile banking, but half of those customers also access mobile banking through a browser on their phones, according to Javelin Strategy & Research. "We can no longer afford to ignore the online portal in deference to the app," said Emmett Higdon, director of digital banking at Javelin Strategy & Research. Read more here.
Policymakers have long struggled to modernize the decades-old Community Reinvestment Act. But translating that momentum into an actual reform plan in 2019 will not be easy. Sticking points range from how to define a community amid rapid change in delivery models, to creating a single uniform CRA metric for banks to follow. However, Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting remains hopeful. "Everybody recognizes this is something that collectively we need to fix," he said. "Everybody is prepared to roll up our sleeves and sit down and talk."
The Community Development Bankers Association (CDBA), the national trade association of Community Development Financial Institutions and mission focused banks, is seeking a high energy and dynamic candidate for the position of Public Policy Director. The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of public policy/advocacy experience and a passion for community development. The position reports to our Chief Executive Officer, but works with all members of the team. This is a full time 40 hour per week position located at PCG's offices in Washington, D.C. Click here to apply.