Huntington Bank Recognized for Lift Local Business Program

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Huntington National Bank recently received the 2023 ABA Foundation Community Commitment Award for its Lift Local Business program.

The award was presented by the American Bankers Association Foundation during its annual convention on Oct. 10 in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Huntington is committed to supporting small businesses and the communities they call home,” said Maggie Ference, senior vice president and business banking credit, operations and SBA director. “We are honored to be named a 2023 Community Commitment Award winner and grateful to be recognized alongside so many other impressive bank programs.”

Huntington’s Lift Local Business program supports minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses throughout the business life cycle – from startup to expansion. 

The program offers loans, business planning support, free financial education courses and other services to help small-business owners achieve their goals. 

The program is a key component of Huntington’s $40 billion Strategic Community Plan, which focuses on driving economic inclusion through access to capital, affordable housing and home ownership and community lending and investment.

Huntington launched the program in 2020, and it has booked more than 1,100 loans, totaling $77 million, according to a news release.

“We believe strong communities are communities where there are good jobs, a stable housing market and a strong sense of belonging,” said Brant Standridge, president of consumer and regional banking. “At Huntington, we’re focused on making these things a reality through our commitment to community development by finding meaningful ways to help the communities throughout our footprint become the best they can be.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.