For Immediate Release

DETROIT – (March 1, 2022) – First Independence Bank (FIB) and Operation HOPE today announced an expanded, multiyear transformational partnership, including a series of collaborative programs such as HOPE Inside coaching, digital access that connects to education, First Independence Bank (FIB) solutions, and Operation HOPE’s 1 Million Black Business Initiative (1MBB), as part of the bank’s commitment to bring access and solutions to build better lives and communities. 

First Independence Bank and Operation HOPE will expand their community-based approach to financial wellness to provide more people with the education, insights and tools that will empower and build better lives. To achieve this goal, First Independence Bank and Operation HOPE have entered into a two-year partnership that will expand and transform HOPE Inside coaching, bringing in-person and virtual financial coaching, educational content and solutions to First Independence Bank branches. Additionally, First Independence Bank and Operation HOPE will further expand digital and mobile access to financial coaches and a host of financial education resources to solve everyday financial challenges. 

The expanded partnership also supports Operation HOPE’s work toward launching 1 million Black-owned businesses by 2030. FIB is accelerating the program by offering small business solutions, along with in-kind support and a capacity-building investment. 

“When two different entities come together who hold a common commitment to uplift communities through education, awareness and programs anchored in financial literacy, it is a collective win for all,” says Kenneth Kelly, chairman & CEO, First Independence Bank. “And when this alignment is implemented and successfully expanded to a national level, the needle of financial literacy will be moved on financial and personal growth,” said Kelly. 

First Independence Bank and Operation HOPE’s expanded partnership includes: 

· Transforming and expanding the HOPE Inside coaching program to be community-based and impact-focused, encompassing hub locations serving branches in communities across the First Independence Bank market in Detroit and the Minneapolis/ St Paul, Minnesota areas. 

· Investing in and accelerating 1MBB with a capacity-building grant and a commitment of 1,000 hours of volunteer time. 

· Collaborating to build a digital platform that will provide HOPE Inside education alongside access to FIB solutions and services, bringing touch and technology to support those underserved by financial services. 

· Collaborating to further the employee wellness platform with HOPE coaching and FIB programming. 

· Becoming a 2022 Member of HOPE to build capacity and sustainability as the partnership blooms over the next two years. 

· Serving as a sponsor for the HOPE Global Forums, a community designed to galvanize thought and action around building an economy that works for everyone. 

“I am honored to have First Independence Bank’s commitment and support of Operation HOPE’s mission to bring financial literacy to all and help aspiring Black entrepreneurs launch the businesses of their dreams,” said Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO, John Hope Bryant. “The leading voices behind First Independence Bank believed in our mission and we’re thrilled to have their continued support as we work together over the next two years – to build and strengthen communities through financial literacy and empowerment.” 

To learn more, go to www.FirstIndependence.com or visit an Operation HOPE financial coach in Detroit at First Independence Bank at their 7-mile Branch location. 

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About Operation HOPE, Inc. 

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 “Innovator of the Year” recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Project 5117 is our multi-year four-pronged approach to combating economic inequality that aims to improve financial literacy, increase business role models and business internships for youth in underserved communities, and stabilize the American dream by boosting FICO scores. Operation HOPE recently received its sixth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability by the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. For more information, visit, OperationHOPE.org. 

About First Independence Bank 

First Independence Bank is the 7th largest Black-owned commercial bank in the United States. It offers a variety of high-quality banking services from managing accounts to personal loans, mortgages, consumer education and investments. First Independence Bank has three locations 

and offers banking solutions online and digitally through its mobile app. Established in 1970, the bank continues to be a responsible leader, efficiently serving the financial needs of its community, its businesses, and its customers nationwide. First Independence Bank is a member of FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. For more information visit http://www.firstindependence.com. 

Media Contacts: 

First Independence Bank 

Lisa M. Wilmore, Principal

The Wilmore Agency – Public Relations 

e-mail: WilmoreAgency@gmail.com 

(313) 980-4766 direct 

Lalohni Campbell, Operation HOPE 

hello@persemediagroup.com 

(404) 593-7145