Sunflower Bank Expands Community Affairs Office Dedicated to Community Reinvestment Act-Related Opportunities

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sunflower Bank announces the expansion of its Community Affairs Office focused on the institution’s community lending, service and investment opportunities. The Community Affairs Office is led by Danny Spears, Director of Community Reinvestment, with regional efforts coordinated by Community Development Officers (CDO), Becca Maxwell, Doris Ortiz, Gloria Sanderson, and Kyle Stingley.

The Community Affairs Office partners with local bank leadership and community organizations to ensure a tailored response to community needs and provide solutions that favorably impact economic opportunities in the Bank’s markets. Activities include increasing community engagement, soliciting community feedback, and seeking out community service, investment, and lending opportunities.

“Sunflower Bank and our community banking model are built on the foundation of knowing that our value and our goal is to create opportunities and programs that go beyond basic banking products and services. We’ve expanded the Community Affairs Office to ensure we maintain the needed level of support for our communities and our local teams, as we continue to grow across our multi-state region. As an organization, we believe in the power of connection for our customers and in our communities. We are extremely proud of our teams and our accomplishments in this regard,” stated Mollie Carter, Sunflower Bank Executive Chairman.

Danny Spears joined Sunflower Bank in 2021 as Director of Community Reinvestment. He has over 15 years of professional experience in the banking industry with over a decade managing Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)-related efforts. He was previously with a $200 billion regional bank with a multi-state footprint where he worked extensively in developing community reinvestment programs and strategies, while managing CRA compliance. At Sunflower Bank, Spears works with leadership to develop and implement programs that address the banking and credit needs of the communities the Bank serves.

“I am excited to be with Sunflower Bank and for the opportunity to lead this CRA program to become a best-in-class, industry model. We have a long community history at Sunflower Bank and we will continue our efforts to ensure a strong connection across our footprint. Our Community Development Officers are a driving force for these initiatives,” said Spears.

The expansion of the Community Affairs Office reflects the recent growth of Sunflower Bank through its merger with Pioneer Bank. With a focus on further enhancing the Bank’s CRA program and providing guidance to internal staff on achieving the program’s goals and objectives, the following CDOs contribute throughout the Bank’s geographic footprint: Becca Maxwell, Colorado and Kansas; Doris Ortiz, Arizona and New Mexico; Gloria Sanderson, Texas; and Kyle Stingley, National Community Development Lending.

Sunflower Bank is committed to serving the credit needs of, and empowering, communities – including low- and moderate-income geographies and persons, small businesses, and organizations focused on community development. Through safe, sound, and prudent banking practices, enhanced by the efforts of the Community Affairs Office, the Bank will strive to meet the credit needs of the communities it serves.

About Sunflower Bank

Operating as Sunflower Bank, First National 1870 and Guardian Mortgage, Sunflower Bank, N.A. provides financial solutions to the individual communities it serves. With $5.7 billion in assets as of March 31, 2022, headquarters in Denver, bank locations in five states, and mortgage capabilities in more than 40 states, Sunflower Bank, N.A. provides a full range of relationship-focused services to meet personal, business and wealth management financial objectives. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. First National 1870 and Guardian Mortgage are divisions of Sunflower Bank, N.A.

To learn more visit SunflowerBank.com, FirstNational1870.com or GuardianMortgageOnline.com.