$150K Grant from FHLB Dallas and Community Bank of Mississippi to Assist North Mississippi Rural Legal Services to Help Homeowners Resolve Property Titles

Grant Will Support Legal Services to Address Heirs’ Property Issues in Northern Mississippi

TUPELO, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), through its member Community Bank of Mississippi, awarded a $150,000 Pathway Fund grant to North Mississippi Rural Legal Services (NMRLS) to help address homeownership title issues.

“This funding will allow us to reach more people who otherwise would have no access to legal help,” said Ben Thomas Cole II, executive director of NMRLS.

NMRLS is a nonprofit that provides civil legal representation to low-income homeowners in 39 counties in northern Mississippi. The grant will help NMRLS expand its outreach and services, to address heirs’ property issues, which involve not having clear title to a property, which can affect selling the property or passing it down to heirs. The grant was awarded during a ceremonial check presentation today in Tupelo, Mississippi.

“Legal support is often the missing piece for families trying to maintain stability,” said Rieko Wells, vice president and CRA officer at Community Bank of Mississippi. “We’re proud to partner with NMRLS and FHLB Dallas to make these critical services available across northern Mississippi.”

Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, said the Pathway Fund is designed to create lasting impact.

“Organizations like NMRLS provide essential services that help families protect their homes and their futures,” Mr. Hettrick said. “We’re honored to support their work and the positive change they bring to communities.”

In 2025, FHLB Dallas awarded $4.3 million in Pathway Fund grants through its members to organizations in its five-state District, including $600,000 in Mississippi. The application window for 2026 is August 3 to August 21, with $3 million available.

Interested organizations should apply through an FHLB Dallas member. FHLB Dallas does not award grants directly to consumers or organizations.

Learn more about the Pathway Fund.

About Community Bank of Mississippi

Community Bank, who today has $5 billion in assets with 56 offices and over 850 staff members across Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee, has deep traditions when it comes to culture and how they do business. A consistent priority of doing things the right way – scripture on their Marquee’s, a live person answering the phone each time you call and a personal relationship with your banker, have been defining factors in Community Bank’s success for 120 years. Their philosophy of putting the highest of value on taking care of customers, no matter the relationship size, and making their communities better places to live and work has ensured Community Bank is built to last.

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 $112.2 billion as of September 30, 2025, 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.