First Community Bank of America management and staff participate in a variety of community organizations that promote financial service education within its community. These organizations include Pasco County Housing Partnership, the Work Force Housing Ventures, Habitat for Humanity, the Stavros Center for Economic Education, St. Petersburg College scholarship, Bright Beginnings, and various Chamber of Commerce organizations.
With continued growth, comes the opportunity for planning and providing more innovative community development services. Due to the structure of the Bank, each region has developed its own unique way of meeting the needs of its community.
The Pinellas Division became a part of Neighborhood Lending Partners, Inc. in 1999, with the opening of its first branch in St. Petersburg. Regional President, Mr. Scott Boyle, has been a dedicated part of this organization since 1993. He has served in a variety of positions (currently as a board member) and is committed to helping his community provide affordable housing to its citizens. FCBA works in conjunction with 40 member banks to pool resources to provide funding for dozens of affordable housing projects in a 19 county area. FCBA’s portion of the funds provided for construction and rehabilitation of the various affordable housing projects has been in excess of $800,000.
The Pasco Region has been accepted into the Pasco County Community Development Division’s SHIP Homebuyer Program. Regional President, Mr. Ralph Cumbee and Residential Mortgage Lender, Ms. Amy Pollock have been members of this organization for a number of years. They both participate in several of the homebuyer education/outreach seminars as both sponsors and speakers. This organization has been instrumental in promoting home ownership among low-to-moderate income and minority individuals.
The Hillsborough Region has contributed to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, also known as LISC. This organization serves distressed communities in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. The LISC has made financial commitments of $4.4 million in loans and grants to nonprofit organizations that will leverage additional investments, increase workforce housing, develop commercial and community space, create new jobs and provide childcare services.
The Charlotte Region has been a member of the local Housing Corporation of Charlotte County since the conception of the Bank. They are also involved with the Sarasota County SHIP program. The region has provided loans for First Time Homebuyers and has participated in the several of the homebuyer education/outreach seminars as both sponsors and speakers. These organizations have provided many low-to-moderate and minority individuals with assistance in obtaining their own homes.