Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, Cadence Bank and Citizens National Bank Award $9K Grant to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Housing Nonprofit

Funds Will Be Used to Educate Low-Income Homebuyers

HATTIESBURG, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Representatives from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), Cadence Bank and Citizens National Bank (Citizens) awarded $9,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funds to Housing Economic Resources & Education (HERE) in a ceremonial check presentation today in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The funds will be used for homeownership education, supplies and outreach efforts, as well as hiring a consultant to assist with applying for and meeting requirements to become a U.S. Department of Housing and Development certified counseling agency. Funding will also be used to conduct one-on-one counseling for homebuyers.

“I am delighted for this partnership opportunity,” said HERE Executive Director Lakeylah White. “The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas has created a platform for our nonprofit and others to establish lasting connections with banking institutions. These partnerships are invaluable, allowing us to share crucial resources and insights to support each other.”

The mission of HERE is to assist homeowners and individuals in the housing market by providing education and counseling on homeowner maintenance and the homebuying process, particularly for moderate- to low-income and nontraditional credit score individuals.

“Property education is critical for homeownership, especially in underserved communities. Citizens National Bank is proud to partner with FHLB Dallas and Cadence Bank to support HERE’s efforts in homeownership education and counseling, helping families build a stronger financial future in Hattiesburg,” said Tyeisha Smith, Citizens Bank Community Development Officer.

Through the PGP, FHLB Dallas member institutions contribute $500 to $5,000 to a nonprofit, which FHLB Dallas matches at a 5:1 ratio to provide up to $25,000 to the organization per member. The awards help promote and strengthen relationships between community-based nonprofits and FHLB Dallas members.

“Cadence Bank’s vision is to help people, companies and communities prosper. We cannot think of a better way to accomplish this than by working with HERE and FHLB Dallas,” said John Griffith, president, Pine Belt Division of Cadence Bank. “By supporting free homebuyer seminars, we are helping more people get on the path to homeownership."

“Both Citizens Bank and Cadence Bank have been true partners in community development, and we are excited to continuing our partnership through the PGP grant to HERE,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.

The PGP funds are part of $1.2 million in PGP grants FHLB Dallas and participating members awarded in 2024.

Learn more about the PGP.

About Cadence Bank

Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) is a leading regional banking franchise with approximately $50 billion in assets and more than 400 branch locations across the South, Midwest and Texas. Cadence provides consumers, businesses and corporations with a full range of innovative banking and financial solutions. Services and products include consumer banking, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity lines and loans, credit cards, commercial and business banking, treasury management, specialized lending, asset-based lending, commercial real estate, equipment financing, correspondent banking, SBA lending, foreign exchange, wealth management, investment and trust services, financial planning and retirement plan management. Cadence is committed to a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion in both its workplace and communities. Cadence Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

About Citizens National Bank

Founded in 1888, Citizens National Bank is currently celebrating 134 years of service as an independent, Mississippi-owned community bank with locations in 15 Mississippi communities. The Bank has assets in excess of $1.7 billion and manages over $1.8 billion in its Wealth Management Division, which is committed to assisting clients with the accumulation, preservation, and transfer of wealth. The Bank is also certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. Currently, there are less than 125 banks in the nation which hold the prestigious CDFI designation. Learn more about Citizens National Bank by visiting www.yourcnb.com.

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 $127.7 billion as of December 31, 2024, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com.