ABOUT
PCRG’s Annual Community & Bank Awards celebrate the hard work of member organizations, recognize the commitment and dedication of community leaders and thank financial partners that helped fund necessary neighborhood programs and initiatives.
2023 Awards
COMMUNITY AWARDS
These awards recognized people, projects and programs that are making a substantial impact in communities and neighborhoods throughout the Pittsburgh metro area.
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
This awards an organization’s project, program or initiative that fills or responds to a community’s needs. It’s based on innovation, resident engagement and lasting physical, social and cultural impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.
Flats on Forward
ACTION-Housing
BOB O’CONNOR MEMORIAL NEIGHBORHOOD LEADER
In honor and memory of former Mayor Bob O’Connor, this award an individual who displays extreme dedication to their community and strives to make a positive impact. It’s based on leadership qualities, volunteer efforts and community service.
Dave Breingan
Lawrenceville United
BANK AWARDS
The following set of awards acknowledge banks that outperformed other local and regional banks in several lending categories. They’re based on the most recent Allegheny County Data and our Annual Mortgage Lending Study assessment of banks’ lending equitably in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods as well as to Black and brown communities.
EXCELLENCE IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN LENDING FOR HOME PURCHASES
LARGE BANKS
Dollar Bank
INTERMEDIATE & SMALL BANKS
SSB Bank
OVERALL EXCELLENCE IN SMALL-DOLLAR LENDING WITH A FOCUS ON LMI AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATIONS
LARGE BANKS
Dollar Bank
INTERMEDIATE & SMALL BANKS
Brentwood Bank
OUTSTANDING DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT
LARGE BANKS
Laura Swiss, PNC Bank
INTERMEDIATE & SMALL BANKS
Sandra Samples, Washington Financial Bank
OVERALL EXCELLENCE IN LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME (LMI) LENDING
LARGE BANKS
Citizens Bank
INTERMEDIATE & SMALL BANKS
Mars Bank
EXCELLENCE IN LMI LENDING FOR HOME PURCHASES
LARGE BANKS
Citizens Bank
INTERMEDIATE & SMALL BANKS
Washington Financial Bank
OVERALL EXCELLENCE IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN LENDING
LARGE BANKS
Dollar Bank
INTERMEDIATE & SMALL BANKS
SSB Bank
SPECIAL PURPOSE CREDIT PROGRAM AWARDS
In February 2022, seven federal agencies issued joint guidance encouraging lenders to explore available opportunities to increase credit access through Special Purpose Credit Programs, or SPCPs, to better serve historically disadvantaged individuals and communities. This critical unmet need, coupled with historic and ongoing discrimination such as redlining, has exacerbated the racial wealth divide and continues to leave many communities neglected and shut out by lenders.
The below awards acknowledge two banks’ responses to the credit needs of individuals and communities in both the home mortgage and small business spaces, by designing and implementing SPCPs to extend credit to people and populations who would otherwise be denied credit or would only receive it under less favorable, limited conditions.
INNOVATIVE SPCP FOR HOME LENDING
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Special Purpose Credit Program
Provides up to $2,500 toward closing costs for low- to moderate-income borrowers as well as people purchasing homes in low- to moderate-income or predominantly minority communities.
INNOVATIVE SMALL BUSINESS PRODUCT
HUNTINGTON BANK
Lift Local Businesses Special Purpose Credit Program
Offers loans, business planning support, free financial education courses delivered through Operation HOPE — and services like free business accounts with overdraft protection to women-, minority- and veteran-owned small businesses.
