Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Community Development
• Economic Development
• Education
• Infrastructure and Housing
• Healthcare

Social Achievements

• Completed six strategic community plans for Delta communities, with one highlighted in the report (Phillips County, Arkansas).
• Supported the creation of Shelby Women United, a group of women working to improve their community.
• Funded over $102 million in development loans in the Delta regions of Arkansas and Mississippi.
• Provided $420,000 in grants to four Delta communities.
• Reached $1 million in Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), helping low-income individuals save for education, housing, or business.
• Supported the restoration of Ruleville, Mississippi's town square and Helena, Arkansas's Cherry Street Historic District.
• Renovated a vacant building in Drew, Mississippi to house a new restaurant.
• Provided training to school principals and teachers in Helena, Arkansas to improve educational performance.
• Funded a $2.3 million loan to expand the KIPP Delta College Preparatory School.
• Created Career Pathways for working adults in partnership with community colleges.
• Supported the demolition of 35 substandard buildings and removal of 200 abandoned cars in Helena, Arkansas.
• Supported the development of affordable housing complexes, including Magnolia Lane Apartments and The Cottages at Delta Acres.
• Supported the construction of a new $4.2 million health and wellness center in Helena and West Helena, Arkansas.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Economic decline in rural areas leading to the exodus of young people and a lack of essential services.
• Deteriorating infrastructure and housing in many communities.
• Limited access to healthcare in the Delta region.

Mitigation Strategies

• Developing strategic community plans to address local challenges.
• Providing funding and expertise to support local development initiatives.
• Investing in education, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements.
• Supporting the creation of local organizations and leadership.
• Facilitating partnerships between public, private, and non-profit entities.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Awards & Recognition

• 2004 Arkansas Business of the Year
• 2004 Wachovia Community Development Financial Institution Excellence Award

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Community Development
• Financial Inclusion
• Economic Empowerment
• Employee Ownership
• Environmental Sustainability

Environmental Achievements

• Not disclosed

Social Achievements

• Launched Southern Bancorp Opportunity Centers, expanding financial education and development services to all 46 locations.
• 2,980 tax returns filed for free; 7,691 employee volunteer hours; $5.5 million in tax refunds and credits filed by volunteers; $41,458 employee donations to local nonprofits.
• Served 9,392 new credit counseling clients.
• 33 new homebuyer counseling clients served.

Governance Achievements

• Employee ownership program established, with eligible employees receiving a portion of their 401(k) matching contributions in company stock.
• Achieved an "outstanding" CRA rating.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Not disclosed

Mitigation Strategies

• Not disclosed

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• America Saves Designation of Excellence (2 years in a row)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Economic Inclusion
• Community Development
• Financial Health
• Environmental Sustainability
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Not disclosed

Social Achievements

• Provided $112 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, supporting small businesses and jobs.
• Filed nearly 34,000 tax returns, resulting in $66 million in tax refunds and credits for families.
• Expanded financial education and wealth-building services through Opportunity Centers.
• Became the first B-Corp certified credit provider in Arkansas.

Governance Achievements

• Raised $35 million in common equity from a diverse group of investors.
• Implemented a new capital model for CDFIs, including regular dividends and share buybacks.
• Converted legal structure to a Benefit Corporation and achieved B-Corp Certification.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Access to capital markets for CDFIs.
• COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on businesses and communities.

Mitigation Strategies

• Developed a new capital model with improved liquidity for investors.
• Offered borrowers payment holidays, interest-only payments, and fee waivers.
• Aggressively processed and funded PPP loans.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Not disclosed

Responsible Procurement

• Not disclosed

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Null

Certifications: B Corp

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Not disclosed

Awards & Recognition

• Not disclosed