2023 Chambers Bank Community Impact

• 3,046 employee volunteer hours donated
• $199,647 community impact funds contributed
• 65 civic and nonprofit organizations served

Message from our CEO

For the past 93 years, it has been our privilege to contribute to the growth and well-being of the Arkansas communities we call home. We are proud to share with you the positive impact our Chambers Bank team members have collectively made on our communities in 2023 through our first-ever Community Impact Report.

Throughout the year, we have been actively involved in various community initiatives that align with our mission of improving the quality of life and financial well-being for our customers and the communities we serve. From public schools to community nonprofits, we supported 185 local organizations in 2023, and our team members set a new record for giving back with over 3,000 volunteer hours last year.

As we move forward, we remain committed to being a steadfast partner in the growth and prosperity of our communities. Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable to us, and we encourage you to reach out with ideas on how we can better serve you and the community.

Thank you for entrusting us with your financial needs and for joining us on this journey of community impact. Together, we can continue to build vibrant Arkansas communities that thrive in 2024 and beyond.

John Ed Chambers, III
Chairman and CEO

Community Reinvestment Act

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) is a federal law enacted in 1977 with the objective of encouraging financial institutions to meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, particularly in low- and moderate-income areas.

At Chambers Bank, we view CRA regulations as an opportunity to enhance our reputation and standing within the community by demonstrating a commitment to volunteerism, community development and fair lending practices.  

Corporate Giving

Corporate giving plays a crucial role in supporting our communities. Small communities often have limited resources and face challenges in providing for their residents, particularly when it comes to addressing social issues such as poverty, education, and healthcare. Corporate giving can help fill these gaps by providing funding for community projects and programs that benefit residents. At Chambers Bank, we believe in supporting our local cities and nonprofit organizations through corporate donations and event sponsorships. Last year we supported local schools, cities and charitable organizations with nearly $200,000 in donations and event sponsorships.

Helping our Neighbors

On January 2, 2023, Jessieville was struck by an EF-1 tornado that caused severe damage to the school and surrounding areas. Jessieville is served by our Hot Springs Village branch location, and is an important part of the greater Hot Springs community. Significant damage was done to Jessieville School District property, and that damage had a significant financial impact on the district. Chambers Bank saw an opportunity to step in and help, and we made a $10,000 donation to support the recovery and rebuilding efforts of the school district.

Volunteerism

Volunteering is important to us for several reasons. It allows us to give back to the community in a meaningful way--both as individuals and as representatives of Chambers Bank. Many people have skills or resources that can benefit others, and volunteering provides an opportunity to share these assets with those who need them.

Chambers Bank team members are not only allowed to volunteer in their community, they are encouraged to do so. Team members are permitted to schedule volunteer hours during the work day so long as they do not interfere with being able to serve our customers at the branches and online.

Last year our team members gave more time than ever to community organizations, setting the record for volunteer hours, number of employee volunteers, and the number of organizations served.

2023 Volunteer Hours: 3,046
Number of Employee Volunteers: 179
Number of Organizations Served: 185

Sarah Payton: Why I Volunteer

Our volunteer efforts as an organization would mean little if not for the unwavering commitment of our employees. Sarah Payton, one of our Regional Retail Managers, exemplifies this dedication. In 2023, she spent 185 hours volunteering with local organizations, showcasing her passion for community service. Sarah has a number of volunteer roles in her community, including Wish Granter for Make-A-Wish, Co-Chair of the Board for the River Valley Superhero 5K and Treasurer for the River Valley Explorers. For Sarah, volunteering is not just a personal commitment--it's a means of fostering meaningful connections within her community. Volunteering also engenders trust in those whose organizations benefit as well as the people that those organizations support. In addition to the obvious benefits, it is a great team building experience to volunteer with co-workers.

As an organization, we take pride in supporting our employees' volunteer endeavors. When asked how Chambers Bank supports her in volunteering, Sarah said that she has never been turned down for a donation and that she has had many opportunities to volunteer during working hours. She has always had the support of co-workers in filling additional volunteer slots when needed, and people from across all departments have always been willing to lend a hand.

Reflecting on her volunteer experiences in 2023, Sarah highlights her most memorable involvement with Make-A-Wish. As a Wish Granter, her role is to fulfill the wishes of children with critical illnesses in her area. In her role, she granted eight wishes in 2023 alone! That most memorable experience was with a child whose diagnosis made it likely that he would never walk again. During her time working with that child, Sarah was able to witness him make amazing progress in his fight against his illness, and he was once again able to walk. It is that sort of purpose affirming experience that keeps her coming back to all of her volunteer efforts.

Financial Literacy

By offering financial literacy programs, banks empower community members with the tools and knowledge needed to make informed financial decisions. These programs cover a broad spectrum of topics, including budgeting, saving, investing, debt management, and understanding financial products and services. The goal is to equip individuals with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the financial landscape confidently.

Team members throughout our branch footprint visit local schools at all grade levels to teach financial literacy classes.

Affordable Housing

Chambers Bank helps to support the availability of affordable housing in our communities through our lending practices as well as our involvement in a variety of affordable housing programs. Our support is seen through both the efforts of the company as an entity as well as through the volunteer efforts of our employees.

We are members of the FHLB (Federal Home Loan Bank). FHLB provides products for affordable housing, special needs programs, disaster rebuilding programs, home equity leverage programs and small business boosts programs, etc. Bank President Mike Donnell is also on the Member Advisory Council for FHLB of Dallas. We are also involved with the UHDC (Universal Housing Development Corporation). The mission of Universal Housing Development Corporation is to promote adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity and a suitable living environment, free from discrimination.

In 2023, we made affordable housing loans in excess of $7 million. In addition, we had employees volunteer their expertise to each of the following organizations in 2023: Amity Housing Authority, Fayetteville Planning Commission, Washington County Planning Board, City of Goshen Planning Committee, Mount Olive Water Board, Dardanelle Housing Authority, and the West Central Planning and Development. As an organization, we will continue to prioritize affordable housing initiatives in our communities in 2024.