EUSTIS

Climate First Bank Awarded Preferred Lender Status

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
De novo, Small business, FDIC, SVP, SBA, Growth, Climate, Bank

ORLANDO, Fla., April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , the world’s first FDIC-insured bank founded to combat the climate crisis, today announces that it has been designated as a preferred lender as part of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Preferred Lender Program.

Key Points: 
  • ORLANDO, Fla., April 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , the world’s first FDIC-insured bank founded to combat the climate crisis, today announces that it has been designated as a preferred lender as part of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Preferred Lender Program.
  • "Being designated as a preferred lender as part of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Preferred Lender Program is a testament to our commitment to empowering small businesses,” said Paul Pickhardt, SVP, Director of Government Guaranteed Lending.
  • As an SBA preferred lender, Climate First Bank will be able to offer customers a robust selection of SBA loan products as well as an expedited approval process.
  • Climate First Bank is continuing to reach significant milestones, as it prepares to exit its regulatory de novo status on June 1, 2024.

Climate First Bank Secures Dismissal with Prejudice in Lawsuit for Age Discrimination

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Climate, Environment, Dignity, Workplace, Prejudice, Management

ORLANDO, Fla., April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , a leading advocate for sustainability in the financial sector, secured a dismissal with prejudice in a lawsuit concerning age discrimination.

Key Points: 
  • ORLANDO, Fla., April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , a leading advocate for sustainability in the financial sector, secured a dismissal with prejudice in a lawsuit concerning age discrimination.
  • The lawsuit, filed by James Hennessey, alleged discriminatory practices within Climate First Bank's hiring and promotion processes.
  • The dismissal marks a pivotal moment not only for Climate First Bank but also for the broader fight against discrimination in the workplace.
  • The dismissal underscores the bank’s unwavering dedication to ethical business practices and its staunch opposition to discrimination of any kind.

Climate First Bank Initiates Next Phase of Growth with Capital Raise Season

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Online, Health, HR, Growth, Letter, FDIC, Education, Bank, Climate, Cooperative, De novo

ORLANDO, Fla., April 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , the world’s first FDIC-insured community bank founded to combat the climate crisis, today announces, through its holding company Climate First Bancorp, its latest round of capital raise to boost values-based banking efforts and initiatives across the nation supporting the company’s growth plans.

Key Points: 
  • ORLANDO, Fla., April 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , the world’s first FDIC-insured community bank founded to combat the climate crisis, today announces, through its holding company Climate First Bancorp, its latest round of capital raise to boost values-based banking efforts and initiatives across the nation supporting the company’s growth plans.
  • The Bank is headed into its third year of operation and is poised to exit de novo status in June 2024, allowing it to fully scale services outside Florida.
  • Climate First Bancorp will run the capital raise campaign through September 2024 and funds are anticipated to be put toward initiatives like mission-driven technology, climate-focused loan solutions, values-aligned products and future acquisitions to accelerate the growth of subsidiaries Climate First Bank and fintech OneEthos.
  • For more information on Climate First Bank, please visit https://www.climatefirstbank.com .

Climate First Bank Celebrates Breakthrough Year Surpassing $540 Million in Assets

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Letter, Global Alliance, Platinum, Climate, De novo, Growth, FDIC, LEED, Fintech, GABV, Movement, Environment, Bank

The values-based, community-driven bank surpassed $540 million in assets in the last year, making a substantial impact on the banking industry and the environment.

Key Points: 
  • The values-based, community-driven bank surpassed $540 million in assets in the last year, making a substantial impact on the banking industry and the environment.
  • Our mission is to make sustainable finance accessible to everyone," said Ken LaRoe, CEO and Founder of Climate First Bank.
  • Financial and Operational Business Highlights:
    Team Growth – Climate First Bank added experienced team members across the organization, growing to 74 total members.
  • Digital Branch – Climate First Bank invested in its digital-first approach, adding 742 new digital customer accounts, with strong deposit balances of over $44 million.

Climate First Bank Reduces Solar Loan Rates for Increased Access to Sustainable Living

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024
APR, Ecosystem, Climate, Annual percentage rate, Growth, EV, FDIC, Solar energy, Carbon, Renewable energy

It is the first time a financial institution has decreased its solar loan rates and extended the loan term.

Key Points: 
  • It is the first time a financial institution has decreased its solar loan rates and extended the loan term.
  • Since the inception of Climate First Bank’s solar loan program, the bank has never charged dealer fees.
  • In 2023, the bank financed $35 million in solar loans for businesses and $83 million in solar loans for individuals.
  • Beyond contributing to carbon drawdown and making sustainable living more accessible, these solar loans provide numerous incentives to customers like federal and state tax credits, solar rebates and sales and property tax exemptions,” said Climate First Bank Solar Loan Officer Jeff Cowherd.

Traffic Safety Technology Company Altumint and City of Eustis Launch First School Zone Speed Enforcement Program in State of Florida

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
City, Injury, Crash, Corner, Fatality, Behavior, Safety, Orange Ave., Florida House, Death, Report, Legislation, Survival, Accident, Pedestrian, Student, Mobile phone

EUSTIS, Fla., Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Altumint, a leader in traffic safety technology, today launched the first school zone speed enforcement cameras in the state of Florida. The cameras, implemented in Eustis, FL, will support the city in its efforts to reduce speeding violations, enhance traffic safety, and protect the well-being of its residents. Beginning today, a 30-day warning period will be initiated to educate and familiarize drivers with the presence of the speed enforcement cameras. During this period, violators will receive warnings instead of citations for driving in excess of 10 miles over the posted speed limit in the school zone. This warning period aims to encourage compliance and allow motorists to adjust their driving behaviors accordingly.

Key Points: 
  • EUSTIS, Fla., Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Altumint, a leader in traffic safety technology, today launched the first school zone speed enforcement cameras in the state of Florida.
  • The cameras are located at the Corner of Orange Avenue and Prescott Street in Eustis, near Eustis Elementary School.
  • Altumint and the City of Eustis identified this high-risk area, where speeding has been a persistent issue, through a comprehensive traffic analysis conducted by the city.
  • Florida is the third worst state for pedestrian traffic fatalities, according to a Florida Road Safety Report recently released by Altumint.

Climate First Bank Enhances ATM Network through NCR Atleos Allpoint Network, and Adds Staff to Support National Growth

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Senior, MoneyPass, ATM, De novo, Growth, Allpoint, FDIC, Behavior, Climate, Organization, Presto, SBA, Bank

Now with customers in 49 states, the bank has also onboarded five new team members to support its rapid growth.

Key Points: 
  • Now with customers in 49 states, the bank has also onboarded five new team members to support its rapid growth.
  • The Allpoint Network allows cash deposits in more than 30 states and users can use the Allpoint mobile app to find the closest Allpoint ATM location to them.
  • Adding Allpoint to Climate First Bank’s other networks, including Presto and Moneypass ATM systems, Climate First Bank account holders have access to over 60,000 ATMs nationwide.
  • “By leveraging the Allpoint Network, our account holders can utilize their Climate First Bank account anywhere, at any time.

Climate First Bank Supports Successful Attorney Banking Department with Team Growth

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Climate, FDIC, SBA, Financial management, Cryptocurrency

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , the world’s first FDIC-insured community bank founded to combat the climate crisis, today announces the appointment of St. Petersburg-based Irma Walsh as its Attorney Banking Specialist to support the company’s Attorney Banking department.

Key Points: 
  • ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , the world’s first FDIC-insured community bank founded to combat the climate crisis, today announces the appointment of St. Petersburg-based Irma Walsh as its Attorney Banking Specialist to support the company’s Attorney Banking department.
  • The values-based bank has an established and growing attorney banking portfolio made up of deposit and lending relationships with Florida law firms and attorneys.
  • Climate First Bank’s Attorney Banking department was launched by the bank’s CEO and Founder, Ken LaRoe, Esq.
  • Specifically, its attorney banking department offers interest on trust accounts for attorneys and assists with partner buy-in/buy-out financing and cash management needs.

Climate First Bank and Bliss CARES Support Central Florida’s LGBTQ+ Community with Key Partnership

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Risk, FDIC, STD, Health, Climate, Name, HIV, BLISS, Patient, Organization, Bliss, Environment, Cryptocurrency

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , the world’s first FDIC-insured community bank founded to combat the climate crisis, today announces its latest Pride Banking Partner, Bliss CARES .

Key Points: 
  • ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , the world’s first FDIC-insured community bank founded to combat the climate crisis, today announces its latest Pride Banking Partner, Bliss CARES .
  • Bliss CARES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization collaborating with BLISS Health to improve medical care in Florida.
  • Climate First Bank and Bliss CARES’ parent company, BLISS Health, are Certified B Corporations, meaning they are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy.
  • For those who are unable to pay or are uninsured, Bliss will work to find solutions that can help,” said Johnida Pena, Executive Director at Bliss CARES.

Climate First Bank Celebrates LEED Certification, Welcomes New Hires

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
LEED, Climate, Valencia College, Smartphone, Certification, BSA, United, EVP, Digital, FDIC, University, Biophysical environment, Growth, University of North Florida, Risk management, Central Florida, Information technology

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Nov. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , the world’s first FDIC-insured community bank founded to combat the climate crisis, today celebrates growth milestones in the Central Florida market and beyond with notable new hires and a prestigious LEED Platinum certification – the highest LEED rating – for its Winter Park branch .

Key Points: 
  • ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Nov. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Climate First Bank , the world’s first FDIC-insured community bank founded to combat the climate crisis, today celebrates growth milestones in the Central Florida market and beyond with notable new hires and a prestigious LEED Platinum certification – the highest LEED rating – for its Winter Park branch .
  • “Climate First Bank is proud to celebrate our LEED Platinum certification and welcome our newest team members.
  • These milestones reflect our unwavering commitment to sustainability and growth,” said Climate First Bank Founder and CEO Ken LaRoe.
  • In addition to making all of its locations LEED-certified, Climate First Bank will make sustainable retrofitting financially accessible for all.