Corporate Social Responsibility Supporting the communities we serve. HOME > ABOUT > CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Our Commitment Customers Bank is committed to supporting the communities we serve. We agree with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) mission to provide equal access to credit for all qualified applicants, both consumers and business owners in our service areas. To this end, we provide a wide range of loans, investments and services designed to meet the needs of low- to moderate-income populations. Customers Bank loans, investments and services are working hard to make a positive difference in all our service areas, from rural communities and small towns to large urban cities. At Customers Bank, we don’t just see CRA as a regulatory requirement, we see it as the right way to do business. Building and Rebuilding At Customers Bank, we don’t just talk about reinvesting in our communities, we do it. In addition to making mortgages more affordable for homebuyers, we work with small businesses to provide the financial and business support they need for start-up and long-term growth in their neighborhoods. We also provide crucial capital and credit to diverse local partners including community development financial institutions (CDFI), landlords and other community developers. Making Housing Affordable The backbone of every neighborhood are the families that live there and the homes they live in. At Customers Bank, we are committed to making safe, decent housing affordable for low- and moderate-income seniors, families, veterans and people with disabilities. Our lending philosophy includes consideration of participation in private-public partnerships, along with our direct lending to individuals and corporations. Customers Bank believes that its use of varied partnership options, between nonprofit and private affordable housing developers, other lenders, syndicators, and key government programs, will allow and help spur the creation of affordable housing throughout the areas where Customers Bank provides service. Customers Bank’s use of government loans and affordable mortgages makes owning a home a reality for many families with low and moderate incomes. We offer USDA, FHA and VA loans, as well as state programs that help first-time homebuyers, veterans and other qualified borrowers share in the American dream of homeownership. Customers Bank also participates in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh’s First Front Door program. Supporting Small Business, Banking Services and Commercial Development Customers Bank has deep roots in the communities we serve. We seek to strengthen those communities by providing a variety of financing options, primarily to privately-owned businesses of all sizes at work in our communities, including low- to moderate-income communities. Customers Bank understands that businesses located in the communities we serve are essential to community development and revitalization, especially in low- to moderate-income communities. We support those businesses by providing affordable commercial financing. Additionally, Customers Bank has made a substantial commitment to be a leader in leading programs tied to the SBA as another means of financing small businesses with reasonable terms and conditions. Additionally, the development and success of shopping centers, office complexes, healthcare, social service and other public facilities are important to the vitality of our communities. We support this development by offering commercial real estate and commercial lending products. While we may have few brick and mortar branches, we make it easy for underbanked communities to bank with us through innovative products such as mobile banking, which allows customers to deposit checks and pay bills remotely, check balances, transfer funds and much more. We also provide business customers with a single point of contact at their places of businesses to ensure they have access to the products and services they need. CRA Service to Our Community Providing financing for community growth is a central goal of Customers Bank. We are committed to the value of basic banking and responding to the needs of our diverse communities with the credit, investment and banking services they need. But our efforts are not limited to just banking. We encourage our employees to volunteer their time and expertise to organizations that serve low- and moderate-income communities. At events ranging from reading readiness drives to health fairs, you will likely find Customers Bank employees rolling their sleeves up and getting involved. In addition, our team members teach free courses on spending, saving, borrowing and banking, sharing knowledge that can help people throughout our geographical footprint make sound financial decisions. For more information, contact: Billy Seitz, CRCM Senior Vice President Director of Consumer Compliance Customers Bank 701 Reading Ave West Reading, PA 19611 Office: (484) 926-7097 bseitz@customersbank.com Charitable Giving Customers Bank is committed to corporate social responsibility. In 2017, Customers Bank made nearly $640,000 of charitable contributions across 15 states. These contributions funded education initiatives, medical research, affordable housing, family services, financial literacy, and more. This figure includes a $105,000 United Way corporate match to the more than $135,000 pledged by our Team Members to the United Ways that serve our footprint. Additionally, Customers Bank made $850,000 of investments in educational programs and other community initiatives through the Pennsylvania Education Investment Tax Credit (EITC) program. Many of our corporate leaders serve on community and statewide boards of non-profits, service organizations, and charitable organizations. Their time, talent, and personal contributions further enhance our communities. Charitable Giving Policy At Customers Bank, we are focused on improving the communities where we work and live. We achieve this by providing funding through contributions and sponsorships. Additionally, we encourage our team members to volunteer their time and talents to worthy, educational, community-focused causes. What We Fund: Customers Bank will provide charitable contributions to non-profit organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are located in areas in which there is a significant bank presence, and that are committed to improvement in one of three main categories: educational opportunities, children and youth, and community health and wellbeing. In addition, Customers Bank offers a discretionary budget to support organizations in which a team member serves in a leadership role, specifically as a member of the board. Other donation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. What We Do Not Fund: The following are examples of what Customers Bank will not fund. This is by no means an all-inclusive list and other exclusions may apply. Organizations that are not non-profit and are not tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability with respect to employment, volunteer participation, or the provision of services. Political, labor or fraternal organizations. Requests from religious organizations for sectarian purposes; however, a community program sponsored by a religious organization will be considered, such as a food pantry or homeless shelter. Customers Bank reserves the right to deny funding any application submitted. How to Apply for Funding: Applications for funding or sponsorships should be submitted in writing to: CharitableGiving@customersbank.com. Written applications must include the following information: Name of requestor and his/her contact information. Brief description of the organization, including its legal name, history, activities, purpose and proof of registered 501(c)(3) non-profit status, mailing address and email address. Organization’s contact name, title, phone number and email address. History of previous support from Customers Bank, if applicable. Description of how the funding will be used. Measures that will be used to assess the success of the funded activity. Permission of the applicant to use the name of the organization, its logo, and photos from the event in the Bank’s marketing, internet website, and/or social media. The deadline for applications is at least four weeks prior to either the date of an event or the due date of the contribution payment. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered for funding. 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