First Women’s Bank (FWB) officially confirmed that Microsoft Corp. and United Airlines have joined the bank as Mission Partners.
The companies join a growing list of FWB Mission Partners, which includes Aon, Wendy’s, Comcast Corp., William Blair, and the Western Golf Association, as well as other supporters such as Billie Jean King, Fidelity Investments, Bank of America, and strategic advisors Sophia Bush and Nia Batts.
Furthermore, FWB is highlighting some of the small businesses it has financed since its inception last fall.
“Closing the gender lending gap is a critical step toward achieving gender equality, and First Women’s Bank is the bank to do it,” said Marianne Markowitz, First Women’s Bank president and CEO. “First Women’s Bank, in collaboration with our Mission Partners and supporters, will help bridge that gap, elevate small businesses and the communities they serve, and promote more inclusive economic growth.”
To create accessible financing for small businesses with a strategic focus on the women’s economy, FWB’s innovative strategy combines national Small Business Administration lending with deposits from mission-aligned individuals, corporations, and organizations.
Through FDIC-insured mission deposits, the support of FWB’s Mission Partners helps to expand economic opportunity for women’s economies.
“We’re excited to partner with First Women’s Bank and continue to invest in the women’s economy,” said Anita Mehra, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of global treasury and financial services. “Microsoft strives to create environments in which people from diverse backgrounds, particularly women and women of color, have the resources and support they need to thrive.”
“Women and women-led businesses are critical to the growth and strength of our economy and communities,” said Pam Hendry, United’s vice president and treasurer. “That is why United is proud to collaborate with First Women’s Bank as a force for good in the communities we serve to help build a robust economic environment where women and women-led businesses have access to the opportunities and resources they require to thrive.”
In addition to Mission deposits, Microsoft intends to provide small businesses with training and resources from its global skills initiative via the FWB Collective. The FWB Collective is a community of resources, support, and inspiration aimed at assisting small businesses in growing and thriving.
First Women’s Bank is delivering on its mission to grow the economy and elevate the role of women in it just six months after its grand opening.
“Our clients come to us with dreams of owning and growing their businesses,” Markowitz said. “With the help of our Mission Partners, shareholders, advisors, and a deeply committed team, First Women’s Bank provides the capital, resources, and community to assist our clients and their businesses in growing and thriving.”
Tropical Smoothie, Burbank, Illinois, owners/operators Aisha and Ruth Miller
“As two Black women forging our own path, it was important for my mother and me to align with an organization that truly believed in us,” Aisha Miller, owner/operator of Tropical Smoothie, said. ” First Women’s Bank has impressed me since our first meeting.
Scooter’s Coffee, Texas, owners/operators Lauret and Tosin Odesanya
“From day one, the First Women’s Bank team was collaborative and transparent,” said Scooter’s Coffee owner/operator Lauret Odesanya. “They truly cared about our well-being — our problem was their problem, and our success was their success. We have a reliable partner who will help us achieve our goals.”
