The Mission Driven Bank Fund (MDBF) recently participated in a webinar with the National Bankers Association to discuss how strategic capital, technical services, and impact measurement can help community-focused financial institutions achieve their growth and mission objectives. The event featured MDBF's Portfolio Manager Paul Welch; Senior Officer, Technical Services and Impact Measurement and Management Mayowa Sanusi; Anchor Bank President and CEO Nelson Hinojosa; and Head of Financial Institutions Group Markets Matt Shields of Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC.
Nicole Elam, President and CEO of the National Bankers Association, emphasized the importance of the collaboration: "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 the Fund's commitment to supporting community-focused financial institutions through a combination of flexible capital, technical services, and impact measurement. The Fund's investments are designed to help institutions strengthen their balance sheets, pursue growth opportunities, and expand economic opportunities in the communities they serve.
Anchor Bank's experience demonstrated the central role strategic capital can play in advancing an institution's long-term objectives. Through two rounds of investment, MDBF provided capital that supported the bank's growth and strengthened its balance sheet, while the Fund's broader partnership also includes technical services and impact measurement resources. Anchor Bank's Hinojosa provided a firsthand perspective on the value of the partnership. Since joining MDBF's portfolio, Anchor Bank has strengthened its capital position, expanded its footprint, and continued serving its target markets while pursuing growth opportunities in new regions.
"The Mission Driven Bank Fund provides more than capital," said Hinojosa. "It provides strategic partnership, credibility and ongoing support that helps us continue pursuing our mission and growth objectives."
The discussion also included a market update from Performance Trust, highlighting 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. "I continue to commend the Mission Driven Bank Fund," Shields said. "There's no one as focused on serving and investing in MDIs and CDFIs across the country as the Mission Driven Bank Fund."
"We appreciate ongoing National Bankers Association support and collaboration to advance the missions of both the banks and our fund," said Welch.
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.
