Sunflower Bank, N.A. announces the creation of a new Community Partner Award program to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations in its communities. Award recipients will receive grants to be used in support of their ongoing efforts to serve their communities. The Community Partner Awards program is led by the bank’s Community Affairs Office and will include participation from employees, individuals and local organizations throughout Sunflower Bank and First National 1870 communities in qualified counties of Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas. From October 11 - November 15, 2023, nominations will be open to the public so that each bank community has the opportunity to nominate local community partners for an award.

In 2023, Sunflower Bank, N.A. will donate a total of $80,000 through seventeen Community Partner Award grants of $3,000 to $15,000. Between October 11 and November 15, 2023, Sunflower Bank, N.A. employees across all locations will nominate individuals and organizations for award consideration. Nominees receiving the greatest number of employee votes in each market will receive a corresponding award. Check donation presentations will be held throughout the month of December.

In addition, five “Empowerment Award” winners will be named as a result of a public submission process. From October 11 - November 15, individuals and organizations can enter submissions for consideration. The online application form is available at https://www.sunflowerbank.com/community-partner-award

Community Partner Award winners will be chosen from nominees that:

• Demonstrate exceptional focus on community enhancement through their work; or
• Support one of our main impact areas: affordable housing, economic development, financial education, or community services; or
• Help create stronger communities that are diverse, equitable, inclusive, and modeled to create opportunities for all.

“’Bringing out the best in the lives we touch ... Creating Possibility,’ is our mission statement. By establishing the Sunflower Bank, N.A. Community Partner Award, we’re excited to provide much-needed support to wonderful local partners that enhance our communities,” said Danny Spears, Community Reinvestment Act Program Director for Sunflower Bank, N.A.

Since 2020, Sunflower Bank, N.A. has donated over $530,000 to charitable organizations and its employees have logged over 16,000 volunteer hours in their communities. The Community Partners Award further builds on these efforts with an additional goal of inspiring others to take active roles in local betterment of their communities.

About Sunflower Bank, N.A.

Operating as Sunflower Bank, First National 1870 and Guardian Mortgage, Sunflower Bank, N.A. provides financial solutions to the individual communities it serves. With $7.8 billion in assets as of June 30, 2023, headquarters in Denver, bank locations in five states, and mortgage capabilities in more than 40 states, Sunflower Bank, N.A. provides a full range of relationship-focused services to meet personal, business and wealth management financial objectives. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. First National 1870 and Guardian Mortgage are divisions of Sunflower Bank, N.A. To learn more visit SunflowerBank.com, FirstNational1870.com or GuardianMortgageOnline.com.

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