$20K Grant from FHLB Dallas and BankPlus Paves the Way for Mississippi Family’s First Home Purchase

HELP Grant Supports Down Payment and Closing Costs

MERIDIAN, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jharmain and Charity Inge of Meridian, Mississippi, recently achieved their dream of homeownership with the support of a $20,000 Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), awarded through its member BankPlus.

The grant helped cover down payment and closing costs, allowing the Inge family to close on their new home earlier this year.

They connected with BankPlus while exploring opportunities to make homeownership possible and learned about the FHLB Dallas HELP grant and BankPlus’ Welcome Home Mortgage product, which they ultimately used.

“Programs like HELP can truly change what’s possible for first-time buyers,” said BankPlus Officer Carla Gable. “My role is to connect customers to these opportunities and guide them through each step. It’s rewarding to see someone reach a milestone like this.”

Their three-month journey brought a sense of gratitude as the family started a new chapter as homeowners.

“My experience with BankPlus was wonderful,” Mr. Inge said. “Everyone on the staff was so kind and truly did their best to help me in every way they could. Owning a home means everything to me and my wife.”

HELP grants support income-qualified, first-time homebuyers by providing up to $20,000 for down payment and closing cost assistance for income‑qualified homebuyers in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi and up to $25,000 for homebuyers in New Mexico and Texas. The grant is available through participating FHLB Dallas members, like BankPlus.

“We’re committed to working through our members to open the door to homeownership for more families through programs like HELP,” said Greg Hettrick, FHLB Dallas senior vice president and director of Community Investment. “We’re pleased to support BankPlus in helping the Inge family achieve this milestone and to see the impact these funds have in strengthening communities.”

About BankPlus

Founded in 1909, BankPlus is one of the Southeast’s premier regional banks serving consumers and businesses with the latest technology through a full suite of financial services, including retail banking, commercial banking, mortgage lending and wealth management. With over $8.3 billion in total assets, BankPlus operates 73 financial centers throughout Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $97.1 billion as of March 31, 2026, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 780 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com.