Woodforest National Bank^® Named Lending Partner of the Year by Justine PETERSEN

The Woodlands, Texas - Woodforest National Bank was recently awarded “Lending Partner of the Year” by Justine PETERSEN (JP), the nation’s leading microlender for the Small Business Administration.

JP honored Woodforest with this distinction for propelling JP’s mission through a $400,000 equity investment as part of the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) CDFI Community Investment Fund, which enables JP to deploy much needed small business financing throughout its remote markets. Additionally, through a collaboration with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), Woodforest participated in Project CUE, a small business finance referral platform for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) such as JP.

“Woodforest National Bank epitomizes how a bank and a CDFI can partner and yield tangible impact for communities,” said Robert Boyle, Founder and CEO of Justine PETERSEN.

Boyle added, “Woodforest National Bank’s partnership with Justine PETERSEN transcends merely financial capital; the human capital that the bank has brought to our partnership is unparalleled. We consider Woodforest National Bank a thought leader and thought doer as it relates to enhancing the work of CDFIs not only in our footprint, but across the nation.”

Doug Schaeffer, CRA Executive Director, EVP, Woodforest National Bank, said, “I respect the work that Justine PETERSEN does and continues to do. This organization is a role model for CDFIs, and this award is a great accolade for Woodforest National Bank. We look forward to continuing to build on this relationship to create innovative ways to help small businesses and entrepreneurs be successful.”

Annually, Justine PETERSEN recognizes a financial institution that demonstrates exemplary commitment to advancing Justine PETERSEN’s mission through a monetary loan pool investment and related partnership activities. Past awardees include local, regional and national banks

About Woodforest

Celebrating over 37 years of community banking service, Woodforest National Bank has successfully stood among the strongest community banks in the nation, proudly offering outstanding quality customer service since 1980. Woodforest currently operates over 700 branches in 17 states across the United States.

About Justine PETERSEN

Founded in 1997, Justine PETERSEN furthers the legacy of social worker Justine M. Petersen, a pioneer in asset-development for low and moderate-income families. As the nation’s leading microlender for the U.S. Small Business Administration, Justine PETERSEN assists historically underserved small businesses at every stage of development with access to safe and affordable capital. Justine PETERSEN and its subsidiary CDFI (community development financial institution) offer home ownership preparation and retention services, financial education and a suite of credit building products and services. Justine PETERSEN serves the states of Missouri, eastern Kansas and downstate Illinois. For more information visit http://www.justinepetersen.org.

Media Contact

Cindi Stewart
Sr. Vice President-Public Relations Director
Woodforest National Bank
cstewart@woodforest.com | 832-375-2508