1 How much capital has your bank infused into the Arizona community from small business loans, etc?

2 What are some of the sustainable practices you promote to your customers and employees?

Michael J. Thorell, President/CEO, Pinnacle Bank

1 Since 2011, Pinnacle Bank has made over $225 million of loans to over 250 small businesses in our community. This has had the direct impact of preserving and creating over 5,000 skilled jobs. Many economists claim that one skilled labor job creates 2.5 jobs in the local goods and services sectors, and an additional unskilled job in the local non-tradable sector. Pinnacle Bank’s focus on meeting the needs of small businesses within our community has had a profound impact on the local economy.

2 At Pinnacle Bank, we believe that banking locally is banking better. We provide a more personal approach to banking with comprehensive personal and small business services focused on meeting the needs of our neighbors in our community. This would not be possible were we not to able create an atmosphere to attract and retain the most qualified bankers to be a part of our team. Colleagues recognize each other quarterly for their contributions to the bank that go above and beyond their normal job description. This creates an environment of sharing and teamwork built on integrity and laser-like focus on niche services to meet our clients’ needs.

Ed Zito, President, Alliance Bank of Arizona

1 In 2016 alone, Alliance Bank provided approximately $28 million in a variety of community investments and donations. We funded $180 million in community development loans. Approximately 31 percent of our small business lending activity goes into low and moderate income areas. As a preferred SBA (Small Business Administration) lender, we serve the small business market by diligently providing larger deals to small and mid-sized businesses that qualify for SBA guaranteed lending as well as other products and services such as overdraft protection lines.

2 Alliance Bank employs several sustainable practices, including recycle bins in every office and embracing technology that lowers paper use and the need for customers to come to the office physically. The bank looks for and favors sustainable and customer-conscious businesses. Our sister bank in Northern California has an entire division focused on renewable energy, performing a significant amount of lending and relationship solicitation with the renewable energy sphere.

Julie Fletcher, Enterprise Bank & Trust

1 Since Enterprise Bank became active in the Arizona market, the bank has extended more than $200 million in loans to small and mid-sized business in the Valley. As Enterprise Bank continues to grow and expand its operations in Arizona, we fully expect these investments to continue.

2 Enterprise Bank encourages our employees and our customers to practice sustainability whenever possible. Internal best practices include regularly scheduled paper shredding and recycling, using energy-efficient LED light in our branch lobbies, occupancy sensors to manage electricity usage and efficient energy management of air conditioning during non-use periods. For our customers, we encourage sustainability through paperless banking, mobile deposits and other services that always keep sustainability at the forefront of our business.

Stephen P. Haggard, Director/President/CEO, Metro Phoenix Bank

1 Metro Phoenix Bank (MPB) is in business because of small businesses. Since the bank’s inception, we have lent close to $200 million to small businesses and are committed to helping our community thrive even more. Unlike large national and regional banks that take deposits out of the local community and lend in other markets, we survive by infusing local deposits into the community through various loan products and services, including SBA lending.

2 Since inception, MPB established bank-wide procedures for recycling. When documents need to be shredded, MPB employs a locally owned and operated shredding service that securely destroys data then routes it to a local Arizona paper mill where it is transformed into everyday consumer products such as paper towels, napkins, and packaging. MPB has also lent to sustainable industries such as waste disposal and green builders, plus offers clients the option of receiving online statements instead of traditional paper copies.

James Christensen, President/CEO, Gateway Bank

1 We book $20-24 million in loans per year. We had our nine-year anniversary in December 2016 so we have made in excess of $180 million in loans.

2 We program thermostats to only heat/cool at comfortable temperatures during working hours, we recycle cans, we turn lights off in all parts of the bank that are not being used (I am notorious for turning lights off in rooms with no people). We planted heavily around the bank are getting the benefit of shade now after being in this building for almost eight years.

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