Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• 90% of mortgage applications in 2022 were eDisclosed, and 85% of loans closed as a hybrid eClosing, reducing paper waste and fossil fuel use.
• Launched Freddie Mac GreenCHOICE Mortgage® program in March 2023 to finance energy-efficient home improvements.
• Continuous upgrades to energy-efficient faucets, toilets, hot water systems, HVAC, and appliances.
• Installation of a rooftop solar PV system at the Cedar Springs branch.

Social Achievements

• Donated over $787,000 to various community organizations in 2022.
• Over 800 employees volunteered over 80 projects during the 7th annual “Be the Difference Day”, with an additional $135,000 donated to those organizations.
• Donated $112,240 to Ukrainian relief efforts.
• Funded over $756,000 to the My Home Rewards program, subsidizing closing costs for low-income homebuyers.
• Expanded community outreach and hiring in diverse markets.
• Implemented a small business diversity outreach program.
• Supported diverse events throughout its footprint.
• Most diverse internship group in 2022, with continued employment for 4 of 9 interns.
• Joined Great Lakes Women’s Business Council and Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council to increase diverse vendors.
• Introduced paid maternity and parental leave (10 and 4 weeks, respectively), and a $2,500 first-time homebuyer benefit for employees.
• Improved employee engagement scores across all categories, exceeding industry averages.

Governance Achievements

• Well-established Cybersecurity Program including multi-layered security, threat monitoring, effective communication, regular reporting, and employee/customer awareness training.
• Regular assessments by state and federal regulators, internal audit, and external audit firms, along with penetration testing to improve security controls.
• Annual compliance training averaging 34 courses per employee covering various regulatory and ethical topics.
• Commitment to website accessibility.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Maintaining a robust set of plans to address potential business continuity risks, cyber/information security concerns, and other challenges.
• Addressing affordability and availability challenges for homeowners in underserved communities.

Mitigation Strategies

• Robust First Responders plan linking Incident Response, Urgent Communication, and Business Continuity Plans.
• Ongoing assessments and research to improve security controls.
• Resilient infrastructure and business continuity plans.
• Vendor risk management.
• Partnerships with community organizations to create homeownership opportunities and provide education/counseling.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Awards & Recognition

• MBA Financial Literacy Award (2019-2023)
• S&P Global Market Intelligence Top US Community Bank (2020)
• ABA Foundation Community Commitment Awards Honorable Mention for Volunteerism (2020)
• SBA 504 Third Party Lender of the Year (2018)
• MasterCard Community Institution Segment Award – Innovation Award (2019-2021)
• Sandler O’Neill Sm-All Star Class of, Top Performing Small-Cap Bank in U.S. (2018)
• Forbes Best-In-State Bank (2018, 2019)
• MSHDA Top 10 Lender Award (2017)