Republic Bank Launching $3 Million Community Loan Fund, Hires Veteran Banker Pedro Bryant to Lead Effort
Republic Bank Launching $3 Million Community Loan Fund, Hires Veteran Banker Pedro Bryant to Lead Effort
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Republic Bank & Trust Company (“Republic” or the “Bank”) announces the addition of Pedro Bryant as EVP, Managing Director of Community Lending. In the newly created role, Bryant will help economically challenged communities and small businesses grow through new programs, including a $3 million Community Loan Fund to support small businesses and promote business development and job creation in low-to-moderate income communities.
The Community Loan Fund is designed to serve a diverse group of businesses and focus on the operating needs in all industry segments. It will initially be focused in the Louisville metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”) and rolled out to all communities served by Republic. In order to increase the number of loans deployed, the Community Loan Fund will be available just to businesses seeking loans up to $50,000.
“We’re stepping forward to help meet the needs of members of our community who have struggled because of inequity and inadequate access to financial capital,” said Steve Trager, Chairman and CEO. “We’re excited to have Pedro lead initiatives that support small businesses owned and operated by the members of these communities. He adds deep banking leadership experience in community-focused services to our already strong executive team.”
As previous CEO and President of Metro Bank in Louisville, Mr. Bryant is recognized as an exceptional leader in the community. He has also served in leadership roles at other banks throughout the South. “Since 1982, Republic Bank has played a leading role in the growth of this community,” said Mr. Bryant. “I want to contribute to this tradition of putting customers first to ensure it continues for years to come.”
In addition to forming the new Community Loan Fund, Mr. Bryant will be providing executive oversight of Republic’s Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Lending Division, managed by Republic’s Vice President Kathy Pleasant. The Bank’s participation in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) has already provided over $520 million in total support to over 3,700 small businesses in the communities it serves. Louisville Business First recently reported that, "data shows Republic Bank helped retain over 26,461 jobs in Kentucky, the most of any of the banks participating in Kentucky’s PPP rollout.” *
Republic provides traditional and non-traditional consumer and commercial banking products and services using numerous delivery channels. Products include checking, savings and money market accounts, certificates of deposit, residential mortgage and home equity loans, as well as various commercial loan products, and other personalized banking services. The Bank offers many ways for clients to access their accounts in addition to banking centers, including mobile and online banking and interactive teller machines, or ITMs, and a full-service contact center. The Bank also operates in the tax refund processing and prepaid card businesses.
About Republic Bank
Republic Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is the parent company of Republic Bank & Trust Company (the “Bank”). The Bank currently has 42 full-service banking centers and two loan production offices throughout five states: 28 banking centers in 8 Kentucky communities – Covington, Crestview Hills, Florence, Georgetown, Lexington, Louisville, Shelbyville, and Shepherdsville; three banking centers in southern Indiana – Floyds Knobs, Jeffersonville, and New Albany; seven banking centers in six Florida communities (Tampa MSA) – Largo, New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, Seminole, Tampa, and Temple Terrace, and one loan production office in Oldsmar; two banking centers in two Tennessee communities (Nashville MSA) – Cool Springs and Green Hills, and one loan production office in Brentwood; and two banking centers in two Ohio communities (Cincinnati MSA) – Norwood and West Chester. The Bank offers internet banking at www.republicbank.com. The Bank also offers separately branded, nation-wide digital banking at www.mymemorybank.com. The Company has approximately $6.0 billion in assets and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The Company’s Class A Common Stock is listed under the symbol “RBCAA” on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
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Contacts
Jim Ensign, Senior Vice President & Chief Brand Officer
(502) 588-1437
