March 16, 2017, ST. LOUIS —The St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance (SLEHCRA) and Enterprise Bank & Trust (Enterprise) have entered into a groundbreaking Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) designed as a catalyst to drive meaningful impact in local communities. Enterprise, in connection with its acquisition of Eagle Bank and Trust, is expanding on its commitment to lending and community development in low- and moderate-income communities. The collaboration between these two groups will substantially impact the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas through specific loan targets, service location openings, training, education, and community outreach.

Taken in total and combined with Enterprise’s historical performance in these specific areas, this CBA is valued at more than $1.8 billion in total investments into St. Louis and Kansas City area communities. Enterprise’s specific commitment includes:

• $30 million yearly lending goal for mortgages to both St. Louis’ and Kansas City’s Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) communities.
• $24 million yearly lending goal for mortgages to minority borrowers in St. Louis and Kansas City communities.
• Two service location openings in LMI census tracts.
• $180 million in small business loans to businesses and business owners located in LMI communities.
• Maintenance of at least 10 percent of the merged bank’s assets being used for community development lending.
• $120,000 in funding for both matched savings accounts and financial education throughout both the St. Louis and Kansas City area markets. Total value of these important community development and educational services is $240.000.
• $120,000 to marketing materials for underserved communities.

The agreement is structured to spur economic equity – to address the issues of access to homeownership, small business advancement, and deficient resources required to fuel financial power in these communities.

“By working together we are helping ensure that Low-to-Moderate Income communities and communities of color are receiving the access to credit that is necessary for families and individuals to build wealth, start small businesses and participate in the mainstream of the American economy,” said Jackie Hutchinson, SLEHCRA co-chair.

“We are extremely proud of the work that both SLEHCRA and Enterprise put into this meaningful agreement, which demonstrates a new trend in impact-oriented funding,” said Jim Lally, president Enterprise Financial Services Corp, the parent company of Enterprise. “We wanted to ensure this investment went beyond financial support for these communities to make a long-term impact for change for the communities we serve.”

View the Press Release here [PDF]

View the full Community Benefits Agreement here [PDF]

About SLEHCRA: The St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance (SLEHCRA) is a coalition of non-profit and community organizations in the St. Louis metropolitan area. SLEHCRA works to increase investment in minority communities, regardless of income, and in low- and moderate-income communities, regardless of race, by ensuring that banks are meeting their obligations under the Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws. Additional information is available at www.slehcra.org.

About Enterprise: Enterprise Financial Services Corp (NASDAQ: EFSC), with approximately $5 billion in assets, is a bank holding company headquartered in Clayton, Mo. Enterprise Bank & Trust operates 28 branch offices in the St. Louis, Kansas City and Phoenix metropolitan areas. EFSC offers a range of business and personal banking services, and wealth management services. Enterprise Trust, a division of Enterprise Bank & Trust, provides financial planning, estate planning, investment management, and trust services to businesses, individuals, institutions, retirement plans and non-profit organizations. Additional information is available at enterprisebank.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: Readers should note that, in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and intended to be covered by, the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s plans, expectations, and projections of future financial and operating results, as well as statements regarding the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of announced transactions (including the Company’s announced, pending merger with Jefferson County Bancshares, Inc.). The Company uses words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “could,” “continue,” “anticipate,” and “intend,” and variations of such words and similar expressions, in this communication to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to efficiently integrate acquisitions into its operations, retain the customers of these businesses and grow the acquired operations, credit risk, changes in the appraised valuation of real estate securing impaired loans, outcomes of litigation and other contingencies, exposure to general and local economic conditions, risks associated with rapid increases or decreases in prevailing interest rates, consolidation in the banking industry, competition from banks and other financial institutions, the Company’s ability to attract and retain relationship officers and other key personnel, burdens imposed by federal and state regulation, changes in regulatory requirements, changes in accounting regulation or standards applicable to banks, as well as other risk factors described in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events unless required under the federal securities laws.

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Midwest BankCentre (MBC) to Open Second Branch in Near North County or North City within Two Years

Partnership with Community Advocate SLEHCRA to Expand Financial Services Infrastructure in Low-Moderate Income Areas Powering Advance

ST. LOUIS — Heartened by the results achieved since its November 2012 opening of the first banking facility ever located in the city of Pagedale, Mo., Midwest BankCentre has announced plans to open a second branch either in North St. Louis County or in North St. Louis City within two years.

The bank’s decision is reflected within a new public benefits partnership plan forged with the St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance (SLEHCRA) to extend the bank’s success in providing financial services to customers in the Pagedale and 24:1 area to other low-moderate income neighborhoods. SLEHCRA is a coalition of 14 nonprofit and community organizations working to increase investment in low-income and in minority communities. The 24:1 area encompasses the two dozen municipalities located within the geographic boundaries of the Normandy School District.

“We are pleased to build on the trust we’ve established with SLEHCRA members over several years of actively working together to improve community access to banking services,” said Jim Watson, chairman and chief executive officer of Midwest BankCentre. “SLEHCRA’s members are keenly aware of community needs, and we look forward to working as partners to align our services and resources in ways that increase banking access for African-American, Latino, Bosnian, Asian and other minorities living and working in low-moderate income and majority minority neighborhoods.”

“As members of SLEHCRA, we are pleased to partner with a strong, locally-owned community bank that recognizes opportunities and values partnering with our organizations to attune products, services and educational offerings to the needs of our community,” said Elisabeth Risch, director of education and research for the SLEHCRA member Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council. “We hope other banks will follow Midwest BankCentre’s proactive approach to creating a community benefits plan that provides increased access to low-cost banking services and products throughout our community.”

The bank’s planned acquisition of Southern Commercial Bank, which will double the bank’s geographic footprint, will enable building upon Midwest BankCentre’s strength in lending to African-American borrowers. The acquisition will immediately add multiple branches within South St. Louis City near clusters of various other minority groups, including Latinos living near St. Cecilia’s Parish in South St. Louis and Bosnians surrounding Southern Commercial Bank’s location at 4914 Gravois Road in the Bevo neighborhood.

Midwest BankCentre plans to build on the strengths of its combined team in lending to small businesses, with a strong focus on minority-owned firms. “This is a strategic initiative for us that helps build customer relationships, strengthens our community and contributes to the bank’s long-term success,” Watson said. “What we’re doing is what community banking is all about – helping our customers and our community be successful – supported by an exceptional team and the infrastructure of our growing branch network.”

The ongoing dialogue between Midwest BankCentre, SLEHCRA and other community organizations serving low-moderate income neighborhoods throughout St. Louis will continue, he noted. “Our goal is to continue banding together with effective organizations to do what we each do best and offer local residents and business owners the benefits of our cooperative efforts,” Watson added.

In 2012, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) ranked St. Louis third in the country for unbanked African-American households, at 28.6 percent. Nationally, 17.9 percent of non-Asian minority, lower-income, younger and unemployed households are unbanked or underbanked.

Since 2011, local nonprofit leaders, bankers and others working together as the St. Louis Regional Unbanked Task Force have focused on increasing the availability of banking products while educating local citizens about banking alternatives to paying high fees to cash checks and access other financial services. Alex Fennoy, Midwest BankCentre senior vice president and director of community development, has co-chaired the task force since its inception.

See the full SLEHCRA-MBC Community Benefits Partnership [PDF] here!

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March 27, 2015 – The St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance is proud to announce that we will receive the National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s National Community Reinvestment Award.   The National Community Reinvestment Award recognizes an individual or organization who, through their work, has best exemplified the ideals and values of the community reinvestment movement and economic justice.  This award comes after many years of financial justice work, culminating in 2014’s agreement with Midland States Bank.  This agreement impacts communities from St. Louis to suburban Chicago, with major investments in St. Louis and Joliet, IL.

“As a region, we have been struggling with the negative repercussions of systemic racism and the lack of opportunities available to so many St. Louisans,” said Chaplain Will Jordan, Executive Director of Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council.  “We are thrilled to be recognized for our work impacting financial access for our region’s low-to-moderate income families and communities of color.”

Since 2009, SLEHCRA’s financial justice advocacy has resulted in:

• Four new bank branches opened in low or moderate income areas, including Pagedale, Olivette, Ferguson, and the Grove neighborhood, with an additional two new branches scheduled to open in the future.
• Over $30 million committed by banks for community development activities, with six formal agreements signed.
• New banking products created and brought to market, focused on low to moderate income consumers including new checking accounts and loan products.
• Over $550,000 committed to financial education partnerships with local non-profits.
• Increased diversity of bank employees and board of directors, including creation of at least 16 new CRA and Community Development positions created at banks focused on serving the needs of the community.

“Our coalition looks forward to helping make the St. Louis region a model community, for lending to low-to-moderate income families and communities of color,” added Jackie Hutchinson, President of Consumers Council of Missouri.  “Ensuring that these individuals and families have access to affordable credit and banking products will help unlock the potential of these communities.”

“It’s also important to remember that we are bringing new customers to these financial institutions, and that is going to make these banks money.  It really is a “win-win” for consumers, lenders, and our whole region,” said Rob Boyle, CEO of Justine PETERSEN.

Other members of SLEHCRA include Beloved Streets of America, The Coalition of Concerned Citizens(Alton Area), The Center for the Acceleration of African American Business, Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, Lemay Housing Partnership, Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates, Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment, MoKan, NAACP St. Louis, North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice, and Ready, Aim, Advocate! Committee.

About The National Community Reinvestment Coalition

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) was formed in 1990 by national, regional, and local organizations to develop and harness the collective energies of community reinvestment organizations from across the country so as to increase the flow of private capital into traditionally underserved communities. NCRC has grown to an association of more than 600 community-based organizations that promote access to basic banking services, including credit and savings, to create and sustain affordable housing, job development and vibrant communities for America’s working families.

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The St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance (SLEHCRA) is pleased announce its endorsement of Stifel Bank and Trust’s CRA Strategic Plan.  Once approved by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Strategic Plan will guide Stifel Bank over the next three years in their community outreach and commitment efforts.

Although not widely used, CRA Strategic Plans are an option banks can choose within CRA regulations instead of receiving a standardized CRA evaluation.  Stifel Bank and Trust is the only bank in the St. Louis metropolitan area that developed a CRA Strategic Plan. The Federal Reserve describes strategic plans in this way:

“This option allows an institution to develop a plan with the community input detailing how the institution proposes to meet its CRA obligation. The plan is tailored to the needs of the community using direct community input at the development stage. The institution informally seeks suggestions from the public while developing the plan and once developed it must publish notice of the plan and solicit written public comment for at least 30 days. After the comment period, the institution submits the plan to its regulator for review and approval.”

When a bank with a strategic plan is due for a CRA evaluation, they are evaluated on the specific goals outlined in their strategic plan. Stifel Bank and Trust held a 30 day open comment period to solicit input from the public on its strategic plan. Community members interested in fully reviewing the plan and providing comments can contact the bank online or by visiting 12655 Olive Blvd, Suite 250, St. Louis, MO 63141.

The items in the Stifel Bank CRA Strategic Plan set forth a significant commitment by the bank regarding lending, investment, and services for community development in the St. Louis assessment area. Although Stifel Bank and Trust operates in 45 states across the U.S., this strategic plan will operate specifically for the St. Louis region where the bank has one branch location in St. Louis City and another in St. Louis County. Given these two branch locations, Stifel Bank and Trust’s assessment area used in its CRA evaluation includes St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson County.

The specific goals Stifel Bank and Trust has proposed to strive to meet to achieve an “outstanding” rating in the first year includes:

–        Home loan originations to low- and moderate-income communities above 2 percent of the bank’s peer lenders

–        Originate at least $12.5 million in CRA qualified community development loans

–        Originate at least $25 million in community development investments

–        Give 0.625% of prior year’s profits in charitable donations back to the community

–        Give 1.25 hours in community service activities for each full time employee

–        Underwrite $125 million in community development bond offerings

In order to meet these ambitions goals, Stifel Bank and Trust has an robust plan to work with community organizations, to market their services to low- and moderate-income communities, and to regularly evaluate their practices to ensure that they are meeting the lending needs of low- and moderate-income communities within their assessment area.  SLEHCRA looks forward to working in partnership with Stifel Bank and Trust as their strategic plan moves into implementation.

Community Groups Announce Agreement with Midland States Bank that Increases Access to Financial Services for Minority Communities

For Immediate Release

October 2, 2014

St. Louis, MO – The St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance (SLEHCRA), a coalition of non-profit and community organizations, announced today an agreement with Midland States Bank that includes a $16.6 million commitment that will increase access to home mortgage products and financial services for minority communities in St. Louis and other parts of Illinois. Additionally, the bank agreed to open two full-service bank branches and a loan production office in predominantly minority neighborhoods.

SLEHCRA, along with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and the Woodstock Institute, challenged Midland States Bank’s application to acquire Heartland Bank based on concerns with the bank’s service to minority borrowers and communities in mortgage lending and location of branches. A SLEHCRA member organization filed a fair housing complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity over the concerns. The agreement with Midland States Bank announced today resolves the fair housing complaint and demonstrates a significant commitment to serve minority communities throughout the bank’s footprint.

This commitment represents the ongoing efforts of SLEHCRA members and other partners to increase investment in low-income communities and in minority communities. SLEHCRA recognizes Midland States Bank’s efforts to expand access to quality home mortgage products, financial services, branch locations, and financial education for all people in our community.

As part of the Agreement, Midland States Bank agrees to the following commitments over the next three years:

• Opening of two new full-service bank branches and a loan production office in predominantly minority communities in St. Louis and in Joliet, Illinois.
• Nearly $1 million in direct assistance to borrowers in minority communities for home purchase, home refinance, or home repair loans through subsidies or discounts to qualified borrowers.
• A $15 million commitment in home purchase, refinance, home repair, and multifamily lending in predominantly minority communities.
• Commitments for affirmative marketing in African American and Hispanic communities, financial education, and community reinvestment training for the public and community organizations.
• The creation of a Corporate Community Development Plan with the consultation of community groups, including SLEHCRA, NCRC and the Woodstock Institute, that will guide long-term community development practices throughout the bank’s service areas.

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Press Release: Community Groups Announce Agreement with Midland States Bank that Increases Access to Financial Services for Minority Communities [PDF]

For Immediate Release:

Community Groups Oppose Midland States Bank Acquisition of Heartland Bank

October 29, 2013 – SLEHCRA, a coalition of non-profit and community organizations, filed a public comment letter yesterday with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis challenging Midland States Bank’s acquisition of Heartland Bank. Midland States Bank, based in Effingham, Illinois, announced its acquisition of Heartland Bank, of St. Louis, Missouri, on September 12, 2013. The bank filed an application for the acquisition with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, which is subject to regulatory review and public comments.

SLEHCRA’s public comment letter states that the bank acquisition will not result in a benefit to the public, particularly low- and moderate-income communities and minority communities, as required by law. SLEHCRA points out serious concerns with Midland States Bank’s service to minority communities and low- and moderate-income communities.

The Bank Holding Company Act requires banking regulators to consider the public interest when approving or denying bank mergers or acquisitions. Banks applying to acquire another institution must state what public benefits can reasonably be expected to result from the proposed transaction.

Based on analysis of home mortgage lending, small business lending, and branch locations, SLEHCRA is concerned that Midland States Bank is not adequately meeting the needs of the community in their St. Louis market, as well as in other market areas in Illinois. Specifically, in the St. Louis market, Midland States Bank received only 6 home loan applications from African-American borrowers out of a total of 1,530 loan applications in the last four years (2009-2012). African-Americans represent only 0.39 percent of the bank’s loan applicants during that time period, despite that 20.7 percent of households in the bank’s St. Louis market area are African-American. The bank received 7 loan applications from Hispanic borrowers in the St. Louis market, which represent 0.46 percent of applicants over the last four years. Hispanics represent nearly 2 percent of households in the St. Louis market. Similarly, the bank’s market penetration to African-American and Hispanic borrowers is also extremely low in the bank’s market areas of Champaign, Illinois and in Joliet, Illinois, both of which are areas with significant minority populations. Additionally, SLEHCRA is concerned that the bank’s home mortgage lending to low-income borrowers and communities lag behind the aggregate lending record over the last two years in the bank’s St. Louis market area. In contrast, Heartland Bank’s performance in serving the community is much better. Heartland Bank is one of the top mortgage lenders in the St. Louis area, and their market penetration to minority borrowers and low- and moderate-income borrowers is above the aggregate lending

Based on fair lending concerns with Midland States Bank’s extremely low market penetration to minority borrowers, the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council (EHOC), a SLEHCRA member, filed a fair housing complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) against Midland States Bank. SLEHCRA is asking that the Federal Reserve not approve the acquisition until the fair housing complaint is resolved and that the bank clearly define the benefits the public can expect as a result of the acquisition.

Additionally, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, in Washington, D.C., and the Woodstock Institute in Chicago, Illinois, also filed public comment letters with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis challenging Midland States Bank acquisition of Heartland Bank. The public comment letters are posted online at www.slehcra.org.

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Press Release, October 29, 2013 [PDF]

SLEHCRA Public Comment Letter, October 28, 2013 [PDF]

Woodstock Institute Public Comment Letter, October 28, 2013 [PDF]

National Community Reinvestment Coalition Public Comment Letter, October 28, 2013 [PDF]

August 2, 2013 –  Today, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) released the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) evaluations for banks that were recently evaluated on how services are meeting the credit needs of the community. Eagle Bank and Trust Company of Missouri received a “Needs to Improve” rating on their CRA exam dated May 21, 2012.

The St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance (SLEHCRA) provided a public comment letter in March 2012 to the FDIC for consideration in Eagle Bank and Trust’s CRA exam. The comment letter detailed concerns with the bank’s service to low- and moderate-income communities and minority communities. SLEHCRA was concerned that the bank’s assessment area excluded portions of north St. Louis City and north St. Louis County. Both of these areas have substantial minority populations and low- and moderate-income communities. SLEHCRA was also concerned with low levels of lending to minority borrowers and communities, and urged the FDIC to conduct a thorough fair lending investigation.

According to Eagle Bank and Trust’s CRA examination, the FDIC found substantive fair lending violations of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act. The FDIC also found violations in how the Bank designated their assessment area that excluded low- and moderate-income census tracts. The FDIC revised the Bank’s assessment area to include all of St. Louis County, St. Louis City and Jefferson County. SLEHCRA’s concerns are also detailed in the Bank’s CRA examination.

This is the first time that the FDIC has given a “Needs to Improve” rating to a bank in the St. Louis metro area since 1995. SLEHCRA applauds the FDIC for taking steps to better enforce the CRA. In giving banks lowered ratings for poor performance, the FDIC is ensuring that banks are held accountable for services provided to the community, particularly communities that have been underserved by mainstream financial institutions. SLEHCRA hopes that the FDIC continues to conduct rigorous CRA and fair lending exams, and continues to take action on serious community concerns related to bank performance.

Eagle Bank and Trust Company of Missouri is headquartered in Hillsboro, Missouri, and operates 14 branches. The bank reports $893 million in assets. The FDIC’s Kansas City regional office conducted the bank’s CRA examination, which is available online here: http://www2.fdic.gov/crapes/2012/17691_120521.PDF

SLEHCRA is a coalition working to increase investment in low- and moderate- income communities, regardless of race, and in minority communities, regardless of income, by ensuring that banks are meeting their obligations under the CRA and fair lending laws. SLEHCRA regularly reviews bank performance and provides public comment letters on CRA and fair lending performance. All bank analyses and public comments are posted online at www.slehcra.org. SLEHCRA also partners with banks to assist in developing strategies to better serve all parts of the community. SLEHCRA member organizations stand ready and willing to partner with Eagle Bank and Trust to help identify ways of improving performance to low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color.

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Reliance Bank and SLEHCRA announce Community Reinvestment Partnership

to broaden services for low-income and minority individuals, businesses and families

(Nov. 29, 2011) — Reliance Bank and the St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance (SLEHCRA) today announce a Community Investment Partnership to provide financial education and new financial services and products to low-income and moderate-income individuals, families and businesses.

With the Community Reinvestment Partnership, Reliance Bank and SLEHCRA member organizations are working together to broaden the delivery of mainstream financial services and help more people gain access to banking products.

Through the Partnership, Reliance will broaden its offerings of financial products for low- and moderate-income individuals and families and for minority-owned businesses. These new products will include a small business lending program, expanded mortgage products and services and new checking and savings account offerings.

The initiative also includes an outreach effort to provide targeted financial literacy for businesses and individuals, with community-based classes that will provide advice on budgeting, savings, home-buying and financial planning.

To achieve these goals, Reliance will expand its marketing to include African-American and Hispanic media outlets.

“Reliance is committed to delivering sound financial products that will support business and community growth,” said Reliance President and Chief Executive Officer Allan D. Ivie, IV. “This Partnership honors the goals of the Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws and provides a road map to increasing financial opportunities for families and business owners.”

Will Jordan of the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council, a SLEHCRA member organization, said the Partnership will help meet a critical need. “Our coalition worked closely with Reliance Bank to create this plan for better banking services and resources for our community. Too many people in our community do not have access to quality and affordable financial services. Institutions need to be doing a better job at meeting these needs. We are happy that Reliance Bank is making a difference, and we look forward to working with them to meet the goals of this Partnership.”

About the Partners

Reliance Bank, headquartered in St. Louis, MO, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Bancshares, Inc., a publicly held Missouri bank holding company that provides a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers. It operates 20 branches in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. The company’s website can be found at www.reliancebankstl.com.

The St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance (SLEHCRA) is a coalition of non-profit and community organizations that works to increase investment in low-income and minority communities. SLEHCRA regularly works with banks to ensure they are meeting obligations under the Community Reinvestment Act and fair housing laws. Learn more at our website: www.slehcra.org

Press Release [PDF]

St. Louis, MO – The Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council (EHOC)  announced today a commitment from Enterprise Bank & Trust that will significantly increase banking services and investments in low-income and minority communities in St. Louis and Kansas City. The commitment from Enterprise Bank & Trust totals $3.1 million over the next three years and results from a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. EHOC filed a fair housing complaint against Enterprise Bank & Trust working as a member of the St. Louis Equal Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance (SLEHCRA).

The commitment includes additional advertising and marketing to African-American and Hispanic communities, increased financial literacy, $350,000 in support for developing affordable housing, and $1.5 million in a special financing program for discounted mortgage loans. Enterprise Bank & Trust will also open a full-service bank branch in their current administrative support center on Warson Road, which is located in a predominately minority census tract. The bank also revised their assessment area to include the City of St. Louis and created positions for community development specialists.

Enterprise Bank & Trust made commitments in their Kansas City market for increased financial literacy, $1 million in support to a community development financial institution, and expanded their assessment area to include all of Wyandotte County.

Will Jordan, Executive Director of EHOC stated: “We are happy to see Enterprise Bank & Trust make such commitments to our community. Our communities have been underserved by banks for too long. We need more banks to be opening new branches, providing new products, and increasing investments that provide resources for low-income and minority communities. Enterprise Bank & Trust should be applauded for responding to the needs of the community with significant and meaningful services.”

Press Release [pdf]

Read articles by the Post-Dispatch and the St. Louis Business Journal.

Read the press release issued by Enterprise Bank & Trust here.