Sunflower Bank’s Community Affairs Office organized fifteen community listening sessions throughout the Bank’s footprint during the 2022 calendar year. Listening sessions were held in five states across fourteen markets with 110 participant organizations focused on affordable housing, economic development, financial education, or community services. Sunflower Bank created the sessions to bring the Bank’s leadership and their local communities together to identify and address the financial health needs of individuals and organizations in each market. The listening sessions result in actionable feedback for Sunflower Bank, and its First National 1870 and Guardian Mortgage divisions, to use to enhance lending, inform community involvement, and identify local needs.

The most common themes identified across all geographies in Sunflower Bank’s 2022 community listening sessions were limited affordable housing options, need for financial literacy and homebuyer training, insufficient access to internet/broadband services, desire for increased homeownership opportunities, negative impact of rising interest rates on homebuyers and affordable housing providers, and staffing shortages and funding deficits for non-profit organizations.

“We understand the importance of listening to those who are deeply involved in the communities we serve. These community listening sessions provide a platform to identify important needs, so that we can work together towards addressing them,” said Becca Maxwell, assistant vice president and Community Development Officer at Sunflower Bank. “Sunflower Bank is grateful for the open knowledge-sharing and collaboration of the participating organizations. These sessions will be an ongoing way to stay connected with leaders within our communities who are also striving to make a difference.”

In 2023, Sunflower Bank’s Community Affairs Office will continue community listening sessions in multiple markets, including Santa Fe, NM; Phoenix, Scottsdale and Gilbert, AZ; Monte Vista and Pueblo, CO; and Salina and Manhattan, KS. Sunflower Bank will be seeking participants for the 2023 listening sessions and will distribute information in each community once the schedule is established. Individuals and organizations interested in participating in a future community listening session can contact their local branch.

About Sunflower Bank

Operating as Sunflower Bank, First National 1870 and Guardian Mortgage, Sunflower Bank, N.A. provides financial solutions to the individual communities it serves. With $7.1 billion in assets as of September 30, 2022, 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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