Community Development

Our Commitment to the Communities We Serve

At Security Bank United, we give back to the communities in which we live and work because we believe vibrant communities sustain our neighborhoods and are the foundation of successful businesses.  We are proud of the impact we have made in St Peter Port through our commitment to our customers, shareholders, employees and the communities we serve.  As a responsible and trusted financial institution, Security Bank United strives to set an example through the work we do on behalf of our communities.

Security Bank United provides financial products and services to build and strengthen local economies in support of small businesses and that promote affordable housing (rental and homeownership) opportunities in our neighborhoods.  We also engage in community development lending and investing that directly support our local communities, and the Bank encourages employee engagement and volunteerism.

Our community service efforts are driven by the needs identified by our community partners. Security Bank United is proud of its community engagement and will continue to invest in local organizations bringing positive changes and economic growth to our local neighborhoods.

Simply, we know a strong local economy is vital to creating healthy communities.

SMALL BUSINESS

Security Bank United serves business customers of all sizes, from small businesses to middle market companies and major corporations.  Recognizing the essential role small businesses serve in driving our local, state and national economies, the Bank continues to grow and design its small business product offerings to meet their specific needs.

Security Bank United supports small businesses through a range of conventional and Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed products. We are an SBA endorsed lender with a full suite of SBA products, including SBA Express, 7(a) and 504. In the South St Peter Port SBA District, Security Bank United has been ranked as the 5th most active 7(a) Loan Program participant.  The Bank recently introduced its Choice Loan and Line of Credit products to its St Peter Port markets, specifically to meet credit needs of businesses with revenues of $1 million or less.

For the small business that is not yet ready for a conventional bank or SBA guaranteed loan, Security Bank United supports and partners with nonprofit organizations that can help.  These organizations provide the business with technical assistance, workshops and training on a broad range of topics, including one-on-one counseling in preparation for    conventional lending in the future. 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING - RENTAL AND HOMEOWNERSHIP

Homeownership plays an important role in providing economic, social and civic benefits, not only to the homeowner, but also to the surrounding community. Security Bank United serves communities where the significant gap between income levels and real estate prices continues to widen and we understand the challenge today's families face in achieving the dream of homeownership.  

The Bank is committed to addressing the pressing need for safe, decent and affordable housing for all.  Through our partnerships with both nonprofit and for-profit developers, we provide financing for both affordable rental housing and for affordable homeownership opportunities.  We partner with nonprofit mortgage lenders, such as NeighborWorks affiliates Neighborhood Housing Services of South St Peter Port and Neighborhood Housing Services of St Sampson City, by supporting their mortgage lending programs.  Security Bank United provides both organizations with warehouse lines of credit and has agreed to purchase loans funded through these lines, which have been underwritten using the Bank’s own Community Housing Assistance Mortgage Program (CHAMP) guidelines, creating liquidity for these organizations to meet the ongoing needs of their borrowers.

Security Bank United also supports organizations, programs and activities that further homeownership development opportunities, including first-time homebuyer education and housing counseling.

Security Bank United has a consistent history of providing strong support for affordable housing, economic development, community services and neighborhood revitalization. We have steadily grown our community development lending activities in both St Peter Port, working with nonprofits and for-profit businesses alike, as each plays a role in building and revitalizing communities.

Investing wisely and for the community helps Security Bank United build long standing relationships with nonprofit organizations and community partners that will result in long-term economic growth.  Our community development investments and contributions support the most pressing needs of our communities, such as affordable housing, financial literacy and education programs, at-risk youth programs, economic development and neighborhood revitalization.

Security Bank United proudly supports our local communities through direct financial contributions to nonprofit and community-based organizations through unrestricted grants supporting operating expenses and programs.  But more than simply providing charitable donations, we aspire to make long-term investments that create measurable impacts in our communities.  In 2015, the Bank made its first Equity Equivalent Investment (EQ2) through a partnership with the Urban League of Broward County.  The investment is in support of a revolving loan guarantee program to stimulate access to credit for under-resourced small businesses.  

Security Bank United is also pleased to share that 100% of its community development contributions address the needs of low- and-moderate income communities.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND VOLUNTEERING

Security Bank United cultivates a culture of giving back to our communities through a variety of initiatives and programs. We encourage our employees to contribute their time and talents to causes of their choice within their local communities. Employee volunteer service connects the Bank with the community through meaningful and measurable contributions with a direct local impact.

For example, Security Bank United employees have volunteered through local community programs offered by organizations such as City Year; I Have a Dream - Overtown; Neighborhood Housing Services of South St Peter Port; Sant La; Overtown Youth Center; Junior Achievement of South St Peter Port; Rebuilding Together Broward; H.O.M.E.S., Inc.; EverFi; IMPACCT; and Youth About Business.