The Mission Driven Bank Fund (MDBF) recently participated in a webinar hosted by the National Bankers Association, focusing on how strategic capital, technical services, and impact measurement can help community-focused financial institutions achieve their growth and mission objectives. The session featured insights from MDBF’s Portfolio Manager Paul Welch; Senior Officer for Technical Services and Impact Measurement and Management Mayowa Sanusi; Anchor Bank President and CEO Nelson Hinojosa; and Matt Shields, Head of Financial Institutions Group Markets at Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC.
Nicole Elam, President and CEO of the National Bankers Association, emphasized the importance of such collaborations: ‘The Mission Driven Bank Fund has been a valued partner to the National Bankers Association for the past several years, and we appreciate their continued commitment to our members and the broader mission-driven banking sector. Access to capital is critical to helping these institutions grow and deepen their impact, and we were pleased to create an opportunity for our members to learn more about the Fund and the resources available to support their growth.’
During the discussion, MDBF leaders highlighted their commitment to supporting community-focused financial institutions through a combination of flexible capital, technical services, and impact measurement. These investments are designed to help institutions strengthen their balance sheets, pursue growth opportunities, and expand economic opportunities in the communities they serve. The Fund’s approach is exemplified by its partnership with Anchor Bank, which has received two rounds of investment from MDBF, helping the bank strengthen its capital position and expand its footprint while continuing to serve its target markets and pursue growth in new regions.
Nelson Hinojosa of Anchor Bank shared a firsthand perspective on the value of the partnership: ‘The Mission Driven Bank Fund provides more than capital. It provides strategic partnership, credibility, and ongoing support that helps us continue pursuing our mission and growth objectives.’
The webinar also included a market update from Performance Trust, which noted improving conditions across bank capital markets and the growing availability of capital solutions to support strategic growth, balance sheet management, and long-term institutional objectives. Matt Shields praised MDBF’s role in the sector: ‘I continue to commend the Mission Driven Bank Fund. There’s no one as focused on serving and investing in MDIs and CDFIs across the country as the Mission Driven Bank Fund.’
Paul Welch expressed gratitude for the ongoing collaboration: ‘We appreciate ongoing National Bankers Association support and collaboration to advance the missions of both the banks and our fund.’
The Mission Driven Bank Fund works to foster a stronger, more accessible banking system by investing in and providing technical services to mission-driven banks that offer credit and financial services to low- and moderate-income (LMI) and other underserved communities across the country. The Fund’s mission is to drive growth and financial resiliency in the mission-driven bank sector, translating into wealth creation in the communities these banks serve. Elizabeth Park Capital Management, a specialist firm investing in U.S. banks, and Calvert Impact, a leading impact investing firm, are members of the Fund’s general partner. Strategic Value Bank Partners is a sub-advisor, and Performance Trust is a capital advisor and structuring agent for the Fund. For more information, visit www.missiondrivenbankfund.org.
This partnership underscores the critical role that targeted capital and technical support play in enabling community-focused banks to grow and better serve their communities. By addressing the unique challenges these institutions face, initiatives like MDBF help ensure that underserved communities have access to the financial services they need to thrive.
