During the trade group’s 2019 annual conference, the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) presented the ninth annual Joe Belew Award to Woodforest National Bank for its Woodforest Foundry program in recognition of its community development efforts.
The program was established as tool, created by entrepreneurs, to help their peers to enhance local entrepreneurial ecosystems to revitalize underserved communities and helps grow businesses, according to a CBA press release. The program helps entrepreneurs find mentors and trusted guidance from peers, Woodforest bankers and community partners.
“Small businesses are vital to the development of communities all across the nation,” CBA President and CEO Richard Hunt said in the release. “The work Woodforest is doing with their Foundry program proves the entrepreneurial spirit is strong in this country and banks are stepping up to fill the need by providing mentorship and resources. We are proud of the great work Woodforest is doing in their communities as they deliver critical education and opportunity to those wishing to play a part in their communities by opening a small business.”
“Woodforest will continue to support small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country, and the Woodforest Foundry is one way we are delivering on that commitment,” Woodforest National Bank President and CEO Jay Dreibelbis said. “However, Woodforest cannot tackle this need alone, and we encourage other banks to join us in providing trusted guidance and putting the right local resources together in each of our communities to help activate, grow and sustain local entrepreneurial ecosystems.”
The 2019 Joe Belew Award was created in 2011 in honor of former CBA President Joe Belew and is presented to the CBA member-bank applicant with the most innovative and impactful small business initiatives. The winner was selected by CBA’s Community Reinvestment Committee from a record 12 entries from 10 banks.
Last year, CBA awarded Discover its second Joe Belew Award for its “Bank on Wheels” program, and PNC its third award for its “Community Connections Center.”