WALLA WALLA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On behalf of Banner Bank, President and Chief Executive Officer Mark J. Grescovich today announced the creation of the Banner Bank Small Business Opportunity Fund to help address social and racial injustice by augmenting the economic viability of COVID-19-affected minority-owned small businesses. Launched with an initial $1.5 million investment, the Fund will assist underserved small businesses with gross annual revenues of $1 million or less that are owned by black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) as well as businesses located in economically disadvantaged rural and urban communities.
“Establishing the Banner Bank Small Business Opportunity Fund is an important step in expanding our efforts to find new, meaningful ways to help eliminate racial and social inequities,” Grescovich said. “Small businesses are the backbone of the local, regional and national economy and ensuring they have access to financing and financial assistance has been a priority throughout our 130-year history—this Fund is one more way we can bring about positive change while helping businesses thrive.”
Because it’s vital to get funding to businesses as soon as possible, Banner is partnering with three well-known and highly-respected Community Development Financial Institutions, or CDFIs, that are already mobilized and actively assisting small businesses in our footprint. CDFIs provide specialized credit and financial assistance to underserved markets and populations. With $500,000 investments to each of these three CDFIs, they in turn will identify and administer financial assistance in the form of low-cost loans, grants and credit enhancements, generally up to $10,000 to each qualifying business:
“Social and racial injustice is a complicated issue that requires a multi-faceted approach from us, our industry and frankly all businesses,” Grescovich said. “At Banner, we remain committed to doing our part to accelerate the change our nation so desperately needs. There is much more work to do—establishing this Fund is simply one more step in turning our intentions into action.”
About Banner Bank
Banner Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank that conducts business in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho. Banner offers a wide variety of commercial banking services and financial products to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses and their employees. Banner Bank is owned by Banner Corporation (NASDAQ GSM: BANR), a $14.4 billion bank holding company headquartered in Walla Walla, Washington. Visit Banner Bank at www.bannerbank.com.
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Kelly McPhee, Vice President, Communications, (509) 991-0575 or kelly.mcphee@bannerbank.com
Source: Banner Bank