Locations FAQs News Resources Bank Borrow About SIGN IN SIGN UP NEWS NOV 5, 2021 Black Banks Need More Money to Stay Alive After Getting Hefty Cash-Infusions From Nation’s Largest Banks Over a year after George Floyd’s murder and the economic crush from COVID-19, Black-owned banks report capital injections have allowed them to boost lending, beef-up staffing, and back communities amid pandemic-era unpredictability. Yet, even with the cash infusions, Black bankers contend that they need more investment to lessen racial inequality in financial services and fortify their longevity. READ MORE OCT 5, 2021 Regions Backs South Carolina Bank to Support Minority Lending Regions Financial Corp. is making a $2 million equity investment in Optus Bank to help the Columbia, South Carolina, company offer loans and other financial services to minority-owned businesses and under-served communities. The investment, being made through Regions Community Development Corp., will help the community bank work with customers who have a “desire for relationship banking,” Optus Chief Executive Officer Dominik Mjartan said in an interview Tuesday. During the pandemic, demand among clients to work with mission-driven banks has allowed Optus to triple its assets, more than 90% of which are invested in communities of color, he said. READ MORE SEP 29, 2021 Optus Bank Launches Voice-Enabled Banking COLUMBIA, SC & LITTLE ROCK, AR – September 29, 2021 – Optus Bank, a $300 million asset-size minority depository institution (MDI) and community development financial institution (CDFI), announced today that it is now offering voice banking through Amazon Alexa. In partnership with Smiley Technologies, Inc., a developer, and provider of secure, innovative core banking solutions for community banks, this feature will allow Optus Bank customers to bank hands-free through Amazon Alexa, the world’s largest virtual assistant. READ MORE SEP 15, 2021 Optus Bank: A Minority-Owned Financial Institution Driving Wealth and Credit Access in Underserved Communities In a Nutshell: Although the history of the post-Civil War American South is in many ways a history of African American exclusion, Optus Bank stands as a marker for correcting the mistakes of the past. Founded as Victory Savings Bank by black leaders in 1920s South Carolina, today’s Optus Bank is a $300 million institution with a laser focus on supporting entrepreneurship and broadening consumer credit access in underserved communities of all kinds. One of only 16 black-owned banks in the U.S., Optus builds on its legacy to create a fairer and more equitable future. READ MORE AUG 26, 2021 Icons & Phenoms celebrated by CRBR, colleagues and community The Columbia Regional Business Report celebrated the 2021 Icons & Phenoms Wednesday at a luncheon at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia. Colleagues and friends joined the 24 honorees to recognize their many contributions to the Midlands community. READ MORE AUG 25, 2021 North Charleston’s Black-owned businesses seek more support amid city’s growth Whitfield, who is African American, is well aware of the historical disadvantages that have long affected Black-owned businesses. He said he feels his company sends the message that minority-owned companies can do the work if given the opportunity. READ MORE AUG 24, 2021 Corporate America’s $50 billion promise After the murder of George Floyd ignited nationwide protests, corporate America acknowledged it could no longer stay silent and promised to take an active role in confronting systemic racism. From Silicon Valley to Wall Street, companies proclaimed “Black lives matter.” JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon adopted the posture of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protests.... READ MORE JUL 20, 2021 Business Report honors the 2021 class of Icons & Phenoms Each year, the Business Report and its sponsors and partners recognize the Icons & Phenoms during a special event and awards ceremony. Profiles of the individual honorees also are published in a special print section of the Business Report. In their third year, the awards recognize the success and community involvement of 24 area leaders. This year's class includes 12 established figures who have been getting things done in the Midlands for decades and 12 up-and-coming movers and shakers already having a significant impact. READ MORE MAY 26, 2021 LISC’s Black Economic Development Fund hits $250 million goal, makes first catalytic investments in Black-led banks, real estate developers NEW YORK, May 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Black Economic Development Fund (BEDF), managed by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), has reached its $250 million goal for capital to invest in Black-led banks, anchor institutions, businesses, and real estate developers, and is now rolling out its first investments. READ MORE MAY 24, 2021 Citi Partners with Black-owned Banks to Help Close Wealth Gap Citi’s work with Minority Depository Institutions like Optus Bank helps to expand banking and capital access to communities of color. 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