The CRA Podcast
CRA Episodes
CRA Podcast Episode: The Catalytic Impact of a $40 Million Investment in the CDFI Sector
This episode interviews Lynette Bell, President of the Truist Foundation, Armeer Kenchen, Executive Director of CornerSquare Community Capital, “HP” Harold Pettigrew, CEO of Wacif and Jerrell “J” Deaver, Board Member and Investment Committee Chair of Natural Capital Investment Fund. The podcast highlights the power of bank and CDFI partnerships in serving racially and ethnically diverse small business owners, women, and individuals in low- and moderate-income communities.
CRA TODAY
SHOWNOTES: The Catalytic Impact of a $40 Million Investment in the CDFI Sector
This episode interviews the following leaders in community development:
- Lynette Bell, President of the Truist Foundation
- Armeer Kenchen, Executive Director CornerSquare Community Capital and the NC Rural Center’s State Small Business Credit Initiatives
- Harold Pettigrew, CEO Wacif
- Jerrell “J” Deaver, “retired” banker from First Citizens Bank, Board Member and Investment Committee Chair Natural Capital Investment Fund
BB&T and SunTrust formed Truist with a shared purpose – to inspire and build better lives and communities equally and equitably across all geographies. By providing grants in support of nonprofit organizations through the Truist Foundation, we can help grow their impact. In the first half of this episode, we will hear from Lynette Bell, President of the Truist Foundation. Learn more about why Truist decided to invest $40 million in the CDFI sector and how banks, both large and small, should go about approaching CDFIs in their respective markets.
In the second half of this episode, we will hear from three members of the new CornerSquare Community Capital Team – Armeer Kenchen (Executive Director CornerSquare Community Capital and the NC Rural Center’s State Small Business Credit Initiatives), Jerrell “J” Deaver (Board Member and Investment Committee Chair Natural Capital Investment Fund), and Harold Pettigrew (CEO Wacif). Launched by the NC Rural Center and Truist, CornerSquare emerged from the BB&T and SunTrust merger and is a new resource for the CDFI sector. Through this innovative program, one hundred percent of funding will be allocated to racially and ethnically diverse small business owners, women, and individuals in low- and moderate-income communities, with a focus on Black-owned small businesses.
Modeled after the NC Rural Center’s Loan Participation Program, CornerSquare Community Capital will be a long-term, sustainable solution to support CDFIs working with small businesses at the local level. By purchasing a portion of loans made by a CDFI to historically underserved entrepreneurs, CornerSquare will enable the participating CDFIs to increase their lending capacity with their existing capital, ultimately expanding their reach and support to more small businesses in their operating areas. It will also enable CDFIs to lower transaction risk through the program’s subordinate position, allowing participating lenders to support high mission projects that otherwise might not have fit their credit criteria.
CornerSquare Community Capital will initially focus on CDFIs located in Truist’s footprint, which includes the following states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Washington, D.C.
There are currently five CDFI partners in the program: ACE,NCIFund, Pathway Lending, Wacif, and BBIF. CornerSquare Community Capital is accepting additional CDFIs, as well as Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) into the program. Interested organizations should contact Julia Malinowski, Director of Strategic Initiatives at jmalinowski@cornersquare.org. CornerSquare will operate as a subsidiary of the NC Rural Center, a nonprofit that has worked for more than 30 years to support small business owners and entrepreneurs in low- and moderate-income communities. For general inquiries, contact info@cornersquare.org.
The Washington Area Community Investment Fund’s (Wacif) mission is to promote equity and economic opportunity in underserved neighborhoods in the Washington, D.C. region. Their mission is driven by three strategic pillars: inclusive entrepreneurship, community wealth building, and equitable economic development, and is fulfilled by providing access to capital products and services, and capacity building technical assistance to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs.
The Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIFund) specializes in triple-bottom-line enterprises—those that address the “3 E’s”:
- Economy: Generates a viable financial return, either by maintaining or creating profits, return on investment, or a tangible asset.
- Equity: Provides an opportunity for disadvantaged groups to access information, financial resources, vital community services, or livelihoods/employment.
- Ecology: Benefits or lessens impact on the natural world by improving stewardship of natural resources, or reducing energy use, waste, pollution, or materials use.
For general inquiries about Natural Capital Investment Fund, contact Marten Jenkins at mjenkins@conservationfund.org or 681-252-4276.
CRA Today and the CRA Hub
Linda Ezuka, Founder, CRA Today and the CRA Hub
The CRA Hub is a new way to connect and forge community development impact through our CRA programs. The CRA Hub is an exclusive membership for bank professionals to connect with fellow colleagues, find inspiration and master the art of the CRA.
No matter where you are on your CRA journey, the CRA Hub has something for you. This membership is for you if:
- you are new to CRA due to a promotion, new job or position or were never formally trained on CRA;
- you understand key CRA program elements and have navigated through your first CRA exam cycle and want to deepen your understanding of CRA best practices;
- you are making progress on the integrity of your bank’s CRA data collection, maintenance and/or reporting and want to ensure enhanced data integrity;
- you want to learn from experts about refreshing your CRA programs, and discover innovative programs to consider in your assessment areas;
- you are navigating CRA regulatory reform or you suspect reform is on the horizon;
- you want to vet an idea and discuss your approach to CRA decisions with CRA colleagues who understand the unique challenges in your programs; or
- you want to forge potential partnerships for impact in a broader regional area.
Questions? Reach out to us at info@cratoday.com
CRA Podcast Episode: EBA Fund, converting the promise of entrepreneurship into assets that build economic inclusion and equity
CRA TODAY
SHOWNOTES: Episode 10: EBA Fund: Converting the promise of entrepreneurship into assets that build economic inclusion and equity
CRA Podcast Episode: EBA Fund: Converting the promise of entrepreneurship into assets that build economic inclusion and equity
This episode interviews Brett Simmons, Fund Manager, and Joyce Klein, Chair of the Board of the EBA Fund and Director of Business Ownership Initiative, a program of the Aspen Institute. The podcast highlights the launch of Entrepreneur Backed Assets (EBA) Fund, is a new nonprofit creating a secondary market for microloans, a new tool to help capitalize CDFI lenders doing amazing work to serve entrepreneurs of color, small businesses in low-income communities, and the millions navigating through the pandemic.
The EBA Fund has been made possible thanks to the Citi Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Microsoft Corporation, and Woodforest National.
More information can be found at ebafund.org and at https://lnkd.in/g65muHd
Microenterprise Primer and Information: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/topics/microenterprise/
Brett Simmons, Fund Manager, EBA Fund
Brett Simmons is the Managing Director and Principal with Revolve and leads fund management for EBA Fund. He has more than a decade of program, planning, and entrepreneurial experience across industries. As Director of Programs and Policy, he was instrumental in Accion Chicago’s efforts to expand lending more than 150% during the aftermath of the financial crisis. Since that time, he has worked with several start-up engineered systems companies and in operations strategy and planning for Cummins Power Systems, a fortune 200 manufacturing firm. Brett earned a joint B.A. in Economics and History from Xavier University and has both a Master of Business Administration and Master of Philosophy of Religion from Yale University.
Joyce Klein, Chair of the Board, EBA Fund
joyce.klein@aspeninstitute.org
Joyce Klein is the director of the Business Ownership Initiative, a program of the Aspen Institute, which advances business ownership as an economic opportunity strategy. Ms. Klein assumed the leadership of BOI (formerly FIELD) in 2012, after working as a senior consultant since the program’s inception in 1998. She is recognized as a leading expert on the field, speaking at national and regional industry conferences and being quoted in a variety of news media including The New York Times and National Public Radio’s Marketplace. Joyce has more than 20 years of experience studying and supporting microenterprise and entrepreneurial development programs in the United States, and has authored or co-authored numerous publications, including funder brief and strategy guides, evaluation and research reports, case studies and policy briefs. She has also designed and managed grant programs aimed at supporting innovation in the practice of microenterprise development in the United States.
Under Ms. Klein’s leadership FIELD launched the Microfinance Impact Collaborative, helped to create the Small Business Borrowers’ Bill of Rights and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition, and launched new research into the role of platforms and networks in expanding the scale and impact of the US microenterprise field. BOI’s work includes examining the potential role of business ownership and the microenterprise field in addressing the challenges of financial inclusion, the racial wealth gap, and career development for youth.
Ms. Klein also has worked as a consultant in the microenterprise field, providing assistance to clients including the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the US Department of the Treasury, and CFED (formerly the Corporation for Enterprise Development). Prior to her work with BOI, Ms. Klein led CFED’s work in microenterprise development. She holds a master’s in public policy from the University of California at Berkeley and a B.A. in economics from Boston College.
CRA Today and the CRA Hub
Linda Ezuka, Founder, CRA Today and the CRA Hub
The CRA Hub is a new way to connect and forge community development impact through our CRA programs. The CRA Hub is an exclusive membership for bank professionals to connect with fellow colleagues, find inspiration and master the art of the CRA.
No matter where you are on your CRA journey, the CRA Hub has something for you. This membership is for you if:
- you are new to CRA due to a promotion, new job or position or were never formally trained on CRA;
- you understand key CRA program elements and have navigated through your first CRA exam cycle and want to deepen your understanding of CRA best practices;
- you are making progress on the integrity of your bank’s CRA data collection, maintenance and/or reporting and want to ensure enhanced data integrity;
- you want to learn from experts about refreshing your CRA programs, and discover innovative programs to consider in your assessment areas;
- you are navigating CRA regulatory reform or you suspect reform is on the horizon;
- you want to vet an idea and discuss your approach to CRA decisions with CRA colleagues who understand the unique challenges in your programs; or
- you want to forge potential partnerships for impact in a broader regional area.
CRA Podcast Episode: findCRA and First Western Trust-Partnering for Impact
CRA TODAY
SHOWNOTES: Episode 9: findCRA and First Western Trust-Partnering for Impact
CRA Podcast Episode: findCRA and First Western Trust-Partnering for Impact
This episode interviews findCRA Co-Founders, Ben Loehle and Brian Waters, and Ted Gerbick, Director of Marketing & Philanthropic Giving and Emily Gardner, Senior CRA Analyst of First Western Trust. Together we explore tools for modern day CRA programs, regulatory reform and philanthropic priorities during the pandemic. We end on a lighter note sharing our hopes for a fresh new year putting COVID behind us and looking forward to in-person convenings and more high impact community development work.
findCRA
findCRA is a national software and CRA consulting company, supporting banks of all sizes in the smallest communities to the largest cities. findCRA’s software is designed with a “CRA first” approach to provide powerful data, search tools and support services that help banks research and connect with CRA-qualified nonprofits and better understand their communities. Learn more at www.findCRA.com
Brian Waters, President & Co-Founder
Links to findCRA’s Software Solutions:
First Western Trust
Our mission is to be the best private bank for the Western wealth management client and our integrated business model distinguishes us from other banks and non-bank financial services companies in the markets in which we operate. We believe that the “Western wealth management client” shares our entrepreneurial spirit and values our sophisticated, high-touch wealth management services that are tailored to meet their specific needs. https://myfw.com/
Community Involvement and Philanthropic Pillars
Ted Gerbick, Director of Marketing & Philanthropic Giving
Theodore joined First Western in April of 2019 as Director of Marketing. In this role, Theodore develops and delivers First Western’s strategy and approach for marketing, advertising, public relations, communications, and philanthropic giving activities. Theodore works directly with senior leaders across the organization to infuse everything First Western does with the promise of our brand for our clients, associates, and stakeholders.
Previously, Theodore served in leadership roles focused on strategy, marketing, analytics, and product management for KeyBank and CoBank, headquartered in Ohio and Colorado, respectively. Theodore brings with him nearly 20 years of working knowledge related to the development and marketing of payments, commercial card, cash management, and real estate services.
Credentials: BA, Marketing – Kent State University, MBA, Leadership and Business Management – Kent State University
Emily Gardner, Senior CRA Analyst
Emily joined First Western in June of 2017 and currently serves as CRA Analyst. In this role, Emily administers and oversees the daily operation of the Bank’s CRA program, maintains CRA documentation, and delivers organization-wide CRA training. Emily is also responsible for the preparation of analyses and reporting related to First Western’s CRA compliance and oversight committees.
Additionally, Emily works closely with other members of our CRA Committee and our associates to ensure that First Western continues to reach our CRA goals each year.
Prior to First Western, Emily successfully launched and owned a small online business, for which she was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the Young Americans Center for Financial Education.
Credentials: BS, Business Administration: Marketing and Information Management – University of Colorado
CRA Today and the CRA Hub
Linda Ezuka, Founder, CRA Today and the CRA Hub
The CRA Hub is a new way to connect and forge community development impact through our CRA programs. The CRA Hub is an exclusive membership for bank professionals to connect with fellow colleagues, find inspiration and master the art of the CRA.
No matter where you are on your CRA journey, the CRA Hub has something for you. This membership is for you if:
- you are new to CRA due to a promotion, new job or position or were never formally trained on CRA;
- you understand key CRA program elements and have navigated through your first CRA exam cycle and want to deepen your understanding of CRA best practices;
- you are making progress on the integrity of your bank’s CRA data collection, maintenance and/or reporting and want to ensure enhanced data integrity;
- you want to learn from experts about refreshing your CRA programs, and discover innovative programs to consider in your assessment areas;
- you are navigating CRA regulatory reform or you suspect reform is on the horizon;
- you want to vet an idea and discuss your approach to CRA decisions with CRA colleagues who understand the unique challenges in your programs; or
- you want to forge potential partnerships for impact in a broader regional area.
CRA Podcast Episode: The CRA Files Replay: Demystifying Community Reinvestment
CRA TODAY
SHOWNOTES: Episode 8: Demystifying Community Reinvestment
In this episode of the CRA Files, Ron Brooks interviews Linda Ezuka: Consultant. Community Advocate. Committed to transforming communities through the power of economic development and CRA. Listen to hear Linda describe her vision for the CRA Hub and other community development thoughts.
CRA Partners is a turnkey CRA compliance program powered by the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation. The Foundation operates Senior Crimestoppers, a nationwide crime prevention program educating and safeguarding against theft, abuse and neglect. Senior Crimestoppers is funded exclusively by the banking industry.
Partner with us and you will satisfy your bank’s CRA requirements, boost your community relations profile and develop new business relationships, while ensuring safe, secure senior living environments, HUD communities and state veterans homes.
CRA Podcast Episode: The Power of Diversity in Community Development
CRA TODAY
SHOWNOTES: Episode 7: The Power of Diversity in Community Development
This episode interviews Jenny Flores, who leads the Wells Fargo Foundation as their Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy. Jenny joins me in a community development conversation and Wells Fargo’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in their programs supporting small business. This episode highlights the power of diversity, equity and inclusion in our collective community development work.
Jenny Flores, Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy
Jenny Flores is Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy for the Wells Fargo Foundation, one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S. In 2018, the Wells Fargo Foundation donated $444 million to accelerate economic opportunity and success in underserved communities with a strategic focus on housing affordability, small business growth, and financial health.
With more than two decades of experience in philanthropy, employee engagement, and corporate citizenship, Flores is responsible for combining financial resources with business expertise to help underserved and diverse entrepreneurs expand their impact on the economy and ability to provide jobs. Most recently, she served as Head of Community Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility at Bank of the West, where she led the company’s strategy for small business engagement and impact, including the creation of a new $30 million investment fund with community development financial institutions. Prior to her role with Bank of the West, Flores spent a decade in community development at Citigroup and also held roles at the Congress of California Seniors, Greenlining Institute, and the California State Legislature.
An active community leader, Flores is based in San Francisco and serves on the Board of Directors for the Ocean Conservancy and volunteers as a mentor for start-up entrepreneurs through the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s Milestone Maker program.
She received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California–Berkeley and an MBA from the FW Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
Wells Fargo Open for Business: Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) Program
Wells Fargo will donate processing fees generated from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to support nonprofits, including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), helping small businesses recover from the economic, health and social crises of 2020. We anticipate awarding approximately $250 million in grants to CDFIs, CDFI intermediaries and special‐purpose funds formed by CDFIs for rapid response to small business. The size of grants will depend on an organization’s capacity, geographic scope and alignment with the program selection criteria as provided below. Grants, generally ranging from $250,000 up to $5,000,000 will be awarded.
As the CEO of Wells Fargo, I can commit that our company will do all we can to support our diverse communities and foster a company culture that deeply values and respects diversity and inclusion. …I firmly believe a diversity of insights and perspectives will drive Wells Fargo to the best ideas and outcomes possible. Part of our journey is about being able to listen to the experiences of others and having honest, open dialogue across differences. ~Charlie Scharf
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.97 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. https://stories.wf.com/
CRA Podcast Episode: CRA Modernization and COVID Recovery Efforts Collide
CRA TODAY
SHOWNOTES: Episode 6: CRA Modernization and COVID Recovery Efforts Collide
This podcast interviews Ken Thomas, Ph.D., of Community Development Fund Advisors, one of our pioneers of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) to share a high-level overview of CRA Reform now that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released its final rule. This episode highlights CRA modernization, interagency positions, politics and coronavirus recovery efforts.
As so many of us are working with our banks to support our local communities recover and re-open yet CRA Reform is now at the forefront, especially for the OCC regulated entities. This episode is focused on 4 key elements, starting with a little politics, and then shifting to solutions and impact:
- CRA Reform-Timing and Political Considerations
- OCC’s Final Rule Framework
- FDIC FRB OCC Interagency Future Considerations
- Community Development Impact and COVID Recovery Thoughts
Here are a few links to take a deeper dive into key concepts and resources:
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Press Release, Comptroller of the Currency Joseph M. Otting Resignation Announcement
https://www.occ.treas.gov/news-issuances/news-releases/2020/nr-occ-2020-66.html
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Community Reinvestment Act Final Rule 12 CFR Parts 25 and 195
https://www.occ.gov/news-issuances/federal-register/2020/nr-occ-2020-63a.pdf
Community Development Fund Advisors https://communitydevelopmentfund.com/
Ken Thomas Ph.D. LinkedIn https://barefootbeachcafe.com/menu/
CRA Today https://cratoday.com/
Linda Ezuka LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-ezuka-cra-today/
CRA Podcast Episode: Community Action and Partnerships Prevails as Banks Mobilize to Respond to COVID-19
CRA TODAY
SHOWNOTES: Episode 5: Community Action and Partnerships Prevails as Banks Mobilize to Respond to COVID-19
Community Action and Partnerships Prevails as Banks Mobilize to Respond to COVID-19
Troubled Debt Restructurings Interagency Supervisory Guidancehttps://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2013/fil13050.html
So, as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times, let continue to be curious… Let’s not forget to pause and ask ourselves as bankers, community development advocates and nonprofit leaders: WHAT ELSE IS POSSIBLE?
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How can we partner with CDFIs to extend the traditional boundaries of capital where it is most needed?
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How can we leverage programs and services provided by social service agencies, federal health clinics and community action agencies to meet the foundational needs of the most economically vulnerable?
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How can we further lift local Community Foundation and philanthropic emergency response funds to invest capital for the greatest good?
This pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for the entire country and the world, but especially for our most economically fragile people, our local organizations and businesses in our communities. And it is natural about now to also ask what we can do as families, as individuals and just as a good human… What else can we do to support our most vulnerable?
Although we need all businesses, large and small to come through this crisis as a going concern, now more than ever, the small business community needs your support. If you can, shop small and local. Heck, even let those kids and teenagers chose which restaurants they want to take turns supporting with a swift take out order for your next family meal. Support the people and businesses you love… and above all else, be thankful for those walls that surround you and the roof that hovers over those you hold the most dear (even though they may be driving you a bit crazy…!)
CRA Podcast Episode: Impact Investing and How Powerful It Can Be For the Community
CRA TODAY
SHOWNOTES: Episode 4: Impact Investing and How Powerful It Can Be For The Community
Impact investing, which seeks to generate social and/or environmental benefits while delivering a financial return, is expanding as a promising tool for both investors and philanthropists. Stakeholders in community development have much to gain from learning more about this tool to fund mission critical projects in their communities. Some estimates value the current impact investing market at nearly $9 trillion in the U.S. alone.
Our guest for this episode is Richard Woo, retired CEO of the Russell Family Foundation. During his tenure at the foundation, he learned first-hand the power of impact investing and shares his early explorations, community partnership and impressive ROI results.
Richard starts with an overview of social impact investing and then shares the importance of curiosity and exploration as entities explore their roles in impact investing and the importance of aligning your portfolio with your values and purpose.
And it is important to note, that while he outlines examples on how financial institutions, CDFIs and nonprofits are involved in this space, any investor, philanthropic, enterprise, individual, government entities, or commercial enterprises (banks, small businesses etc.) can engage in social impact investing.
Here are the links to the projects mentioned and follow up resources to learn more about social impact investing:
The Russel Family Foundation – The Impact Investing Case Study
LinkedIn-Richard Woo
Mission Investors Exchange – Impact Investing, share deals and practices
Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
Canopy – a group of 15 impact investing foundations from Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and newly Hawaii
I leave you with these related questions:
What do you value and what would like your capital to do in this world?
What actions are you taking for the greater good?
Is there a way to invest your financial capital to pilot, expand, and leverage for community impact?
Looking beyond financial returns, do you know where your personal 401k retirement accounts are invested and what impact they have in the world?
CRA Podcast Episode: CDFI Friendly Cities with Mark Pinsky
CRA TODAY
SHOWNOTES: Episode 2: CDFI Friendly Cities with Mark Pinsky
Mark Pinsky shares “CDFI Friendly Cities” a fresh approach to community development
Mark Pinsky shares a few stories of his CDFI journey and will share his new CDFI Friendly Cities initiative and his deep thoughts about community development.
Mark will share his insights on how communities gain access to valuable and financing for small business, commercial real estate and housing and how you facilitate and lower the costs for CDFIs to expand their coverage and increase their financing activity into new, underserved CDFI markets. He will also share how CDFI investors expand opportunities and attract new investors who have previously lacked knowledge of and opportunities to invest in CDFIs.
Join us on a CDFI journey to transform communities through the power of economic development and the Community Reinvestment Act. Get ready for a fun and meaningful listen!
Here are a few highlights and links to explore:
Five/Four Advisors White Paper on the CDFI Friendly City Model
Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association
Community Foundation Bloomington & Monroe County
Mayor John Hamilton of Bloomington, IN
CRA Today – https://cratoday.com/
Inaugural CRA Episode: Opportunity Zones Defined with Maurice Jones
Maurice Jones of LISC shares an overview of the “new” Opportunity Zone program and the hopes of real community development impact.
CRA TODAY
SHOWNOTES: Episode 1: Opportunity Zones with Maurice Jones
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