The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) has recognized three member financial institutions for their commitment to community investment by naming them 2023 Community Area Revitalization Efforts (CARE) Award recipients. First National Bank Texas, Home Bank and The First Bank were honored recently during FHLB Dallas’ annual member conference. Each member was awarded $7,500 to provide to a nonprofit of its choice for demonstrating a commitment to supporting affordable housing or other programs from FHLB Dallas in support of their communities.

Killeen-based First National Bank Texas has used Small Business Boost, a secondary loan program from FHLB Dallas that closes the gap between what a business needs and what the member can finance. It has also supported veterans and their families with grants for home repairs through the Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN) program.

Between 2019 and 2022, FNBT leveraged $2.3 million in Affordable Housing Program (AHP), small-business assistance and other specialized grant program funds. Watch this video about FNBT’s assistance for small businesses and veterans through FHLB Dallas.

“We’re so honored to accept this prestigious award,” says Adam Martin, senior vice president of commercial lending at First National Bank Texas. “We will reinvest the award dollars into helping our communities in conjunction with United Way of Central Texas. We have always enjoyed working with FHLB Dallas and look forward to doing so for years to come.”

Lafayette, Louisiana-based Home Bank has been very active in the Partnership Grant Program through which FHLB Dallas provides a 3:1 match of member contributions up to $12,000 to help community-based organizations increase their outreach and organizational capacity. Between 2019 and 2022, Home Bank leveraged more than $4 million in AHP, disaster recovery assistance and other specialized grant program funds. Watch this video about Home Bank’s funding assistance for the Leona Tate Foundation for Change in New Orleans, Louisiana; The Hub: Lafayette Urban Ministries, which provides services to homeless people in Lafayette, Louisiana; and Step Up Acadiana, a Lafayette nonprofit organization that assists first-time homebuyers through FHLB Dallas programs.

“Home Bank is humbled and thrilled to be a recipient of this prestigious award,” says Kelvin Luster, senior vice president and community development director at Home Bank. “We will use this CARE Award as continued motivation to strive for excellence in helping everyone in the communities that we serve. Because of FHLB Dallas, Home Bank has the privilege and opportunity to do just that.”

Hattiesburg, Mississippi-based The First Bank is a Community Development Financial Institution and its use of the Disaster Rebuilding Assistance program has played a significant role in the coastal communities of Mississippi that it serves.

“FHLB Dallas programs have helped our communities get back on their feet following devastating storms,” says Jerome Brown, executive vice president and chief community officer at The First Bank. “This CARE Award epitomizes what we do in our communities. It’s a tremendous honor because it truly aligns with our mission, which is to assist the communities we serve.”

Between 2019 and 2022, The First Bank leveraged more than $3.8 million in AHP, disaster recovery assistance and other specialized grant program funds. Watch this video about its involvement in helping communities recover from natural disasters, including its work with Recover, Rebuild Restore Southeast Mississippi (R3SM).

“It’s been a pleasure to work with these members and we’re honored to recognize them for their continued commitment to affordable housing and economic development,” says Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of community investment at FHLB Dallas.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by the U.S. Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $181.2 billion as of March 31, 2023, serves approximately 800 members and associated institutions across our five-state district of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. FHLB Dallas provides financial products and services including advances (loans to members) and grant programs for affordable housing and economic development.

Pictured above: First National Bank Texas was recognized for its commitment to community investment by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.