Community Voices Heard: A Nonprofit Feature

Community Voices Heard (CVH), a nonprofit organization, has been a vital force in advocating for racial, social, and economic justice for People of Color and those living in low-income communities in New York since 1994. Born from the commitment of eight women in 1994, CVH gives voice to people who are marginalized by systems designed to keep them in poverty. Their work recognizes the intersectionality of politics and community and addresses crucial areas like housing, healthcare, education, and democracy, aiming to build power within the very communities they serve. 

As Juanita Lewis, Executive Director of CVH, says, “Just because we are on public assistance doesn’t mean we don’t deserve to be heard and to have a say on the policies that impact our lives.” 

Thirty years later, CVH has evolved into a member-led organization that tackles challenging issues through grassroots organizing, leadership development, and advocacy for policy changes that benefit all New Yorkers. Their reach extends to communities across New York, including Westchester County, Orange County, the Bronx, and more. They have been committed to amplifying the voices of People of Color living on low incomes by ensuring they have a seat at the table when decisions are made. The needs of their members inform their initiatives through listening campaigns, a method of gathering input directly from the community to guide their policy agendas. 

“Organizing is an art and a skill. We don’t make assumptions about what our community needs. We go out and listen to people and hear what they care about,” says Juanita.  

CVH’s approach to organizing also prioritizes nonpartisan voter education, ensuring that residents understand the issues and candidates they are voting for. By connecting community members with the political process, CVH helps them make informed choices that impact their daily lives.

“Making the connection between the issues people care about and the election is a core part of our work,” Juanita explains. 

For example, CVH’s Training Program for Organizing offers community members hands-on leadership development through intensive day-long or multi-day workshops. These trainings empower members to become organizers in their own right, equipping them with the tools to start local campaigns and build movements that ignite real change.

As CVH continues to expand its reach and impact, we are honored to support their work. As one of the few community banks in NY, we understand the unique financial needs of nonprofit organizations like CVH and are committed to providing the services and support that help them thrive.

“With Spring Bank, we know we have access to a group of bankers who care about our work as a nonprofit organization focused on community,” Juanita shares. 

Through our nonprofit checking account services, we work with organizations to manage their finances efficiently and sustainably. We recognize that nonprofits often have to make critical financial decisions to maintain their operations and grow their impact. We are here to ensure they have the tools to succeed, by providing access to our checking accounts online.

To celebrate their incredible legacy, CVH invites you to their Lights of Freedom Gala, a night honoring their history and extraordinary work over the past 30 years. This event is a celebration and an opportunity to bring together leaders in the social justice community, elected officials, and supporters for a night of reflection, empowerment, and hope for the future. We are proud to be a sponsor of the Lights of Freedom Gala. You can also become a part of their movement. Whether you’re interested in becoming a member or participating in their next campaign, there’s no better time to help build the next era of community organizing in New York State. 

At Spring Bank, we’re dedicated to supporting organizations like Community Voices Heard that create real, meaningful change in our communities. As one of the leading community banks in NY, we believe in the power of grassroots movements to create lasting change, and CVH’s mission resonates deeply with our commitment to uplift the Bronx and beyond. If you are a nonprofit looking for a financial partner that understands your needs, consider opening a nonprofit checking accounts online with us today. 

“Spring Bank makes a difference by helping New Yorkers reach their goals.”  – Smile Butt, Credit Analyst Summer Intern

For Smile Butt, a senior at Fordham University majoring in finance, her personal mission of making a difference in her career aligns with the work she’s doing here at Spring Bank. Over the past three months, Smile has had the opportunity to dive deep into the world of annual financial reviews and strategic financing at our bank in NY.

Having first learned about Spring Bank through a family friend, Smile was drawn to the fact that we are a certified B Corporation. She had been aware of the B Corp certification but was unaware of the certification for financial institutions. Our commitment to ethical banking sparked her interest in pursuing an internship here.

“I didn’t realize that banks could be B Corp certified. Bigger banks do not reach out to the people in our community,” Smile reflects. “For me, working for a mission-driven bank is more meaningful.”

As a Credit Analyst Summer Intern, Smile performs annual reviews to ensure our loan portfolio remains healthy and strong. She finds the most interesting part of her job to be analyzing and researching loan risks. Within a few weeks of working with our commercial real estate team, she discovered our approach to lending is human-centered and customized. We don’t view “risk” in the same way as traditional financial institutions.

“Just because a loan may be deemed riskier doesn’t mean that people [and businesses] shouldn’t be offered support,” Smile explains. “There’s no ulterior motive working with Spring Bank—they are actually trying to help people.”

Our unique community-driven mission has given Smile a new outlook on the banking industry. This perspective is at the heart of our commitment to providing growth opportunities for individuals and small businesses, especially those who may not have access to traditional banking services. Our dedication is evident in our commercial real estate and small business loans, designed to help New Yorkers achieve their financial goals.

“Spring Bank is good at guiding people to help improve their financial mastery. Where some people might not know how to navigate the lending process, Spring Bank can offer that support,” she says.

Working at a bank that prioritizes community has made Smile’s internship experience even more valuable. She also appreciates the opportunity to interact with clients and build trustworthy and transparent relationships. Such hands-on experience is exactly what she was looking for when seeking an internship in finance.

“This is my first banking internship, and I didn’t know much about lending at first, so I’ve learned a lot in this experience,” she says. “It feels good to work with people in the New York community. This aspect makes it a lot more personal and meaningful.”

As she prepares for her final year at Fordham, Smile hopes her experience at Spring Bank will lead to a long-term career in banking. Through her role in assessing loan risks and capital availability, she is gaining confidence and looks forward to exploring other roles within our commercial real estate lending team.

“I recommend joining the team at Spring Bank. The team is great, and you can learn so much. It’s a community bank, so everyone is accessible, even the executive team, making it easier for you to explore various roles and learn a lot,” Smile shares enthusiastically.

Learn more about our human approach to lending. Explore our commercial real estate program here. Whether you’re looking for the best savings account online, a new business bank account, or help with small business accounts, we are ready to help you reach your financial goals.

Contact us today.

As a community bank in New York, we’ve seen firsthand the positive impact youth nonprofit organizations create in our community. They fill in necessary gaps, providing youth with ways to connect, develop social and emotional learning skills, stay intellectually stimulated, and provide free, invaluable resources to their families.

With rising costs and increasing educational disparities, we recognize that youth organizations are integral to the prosperity of our community and the flourishing of the next generation. So, as the first day of school nears for many families, now is the perfect time to discover programs for your children. Whether you need affordable childcare, after-school programs, or engaging outdoor activities, check out a few of our nonprofit clients below we’ve had the privilege of supporting: 

BronxWorks

The BronxWorks Children and Youth Department serves 11,000 young Bronx residents under the age of 24 every year, but it didn’t start out that way. 

BronxWorks opened its doors in 1972 to help seniors resolve housing disputes, and it has since adapted to meet the community’s most pressing needs. The organization now offers a diverse set of programs that include job training, health and wellness programs, adult and family homeless services, HIV/AIDs education, youth development, and food support. 

We’re proud to partner with BronxWorks and admire their commitment to addressing community needs. Their youth services cover children of all ages and include early childhood centers, afterschool programs, camps, and adolescent development programs. 

Learn more about BronxWorks’ Children and Youth Department here.  

DREAM!

“One of my major goals is for conflict resolution to be part of the educational experience for everyone.” – Aisha Norris, Co-Founder and Executive Director of DREAM!

With experience working as a youth educator, mentor, and leader in NYC, Aisha pinpointed common needs among the youth she supported; conflict management skills ranked number one. She co-founded DREAM! in 2009 and has since focused on helping students and educators acquire the confidence, emotional intelligence, and practical skills they need to resolve conflicts creatively and productively. 

Implementing restorative justice practices in schools is at the core of DREAM!’s work. They have proven to reduce school suspensions and increase student engagement dramatically. Outside of the classroom, students are engaged through peer mediation training, which involves experiential, fun workshops to help them change how they deal with conflict.

We’re so grateful to support DREAM! with our nonprofit banking solutions and look forward to helping them continue to reach their goals. Learn more about their impact here and discover internship opportunities.

Family Life Academy Charter Schools (FLACS)

“We are committed to our children receiving the rigor and enrichment activities they would get in any other zip code.” – Ms. Marilyn Calo, CEO of Family Life Academy Charter Schools (FLACS)

Founded in 2001 by the Latino Pastoral Action Center (LPAC) under the vision and activism of Bishop Raymond Rivera, FLACS has changed the trajectory of thousands of South Bronx families. With public schools failing to meet the needs of local families, the founding FLACS team developed a vision that would serve their community of primarily immigrant students and English language learners.

FLACS now offers a rigorous curriculum rooted in ENL (English as a New Language) and holistic academic opportunities. Students can engage in nutrition classes, arts, sports, and technology. 

We’re a proud FLACS partner and are deeply inspired by the team’s commitment to supporting our shared community in the South Bronx. Learn more about our partnership and their impact here.

Grand Street Settlement

Founded in 1916, Grand St. Settlement has a long history of providing programs that empower NYC youth and help them overcome adversity, including the era of the Great Depression and, most recently, COVID-19.  

We have the pleasure of being their business checking account partner and are so inspired by their growth and resilience. Today, they offer early childhood, youth, seniors, individual and family services. 

With the help of a federal grant, Grand St. Settlement will provide Head Start programming for 583 more children and their families. This funding enables Grand St. to open another Head Start center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, six new center-based programs in the Bronx, and over 17 family child care partnership programs in surrounding boroughs. 

Grand St.’s commitment to high-quality, affordable childcare programs is unparalleled, and we encourage you to explore all of their offerings here. 

Rocking the Boat

“It’s that feeling that they can put their energy into something, actually get a result out of it, and know that that energy was worth applying. It reminds youth they have inherent value.”
– Adam Green, Founder & Executive Director of Rocking the Boat

Adam founded Rocking the Boat in 1995 and developed a program that used the process of building and using wooden boats to educate and empower young people from underserved communities. 

Today, the organization focuses on youth development through boating and preserving the Bronx River. Rocking the Boat offers free public programs, including community rowing, boat building, sailing, and environmental science. 

With so much to offer, Rocking the Boat is an invaluable resource for young people to develop a sense of purpose and pride. In addition to being their New York banking partner, our CEO, Demetris Giannoulias, also serves on their board of directors. Learn more about their offerings here. 

The Kota Alliance

“It’s satisfying to help women one-on-one. But in the end, big change happens only when you do organizational and systemic work.” – Jaana Rehnström, MD MPH, Kota Alliance Founder and President.

The Kota Alliance opened its doors in 2015 and has been swinging the pendulum ever since. As an incubator and hub for gender equality, their mission is women empowerment. Services include entrepreneurship, collaboration, and advocacy.  

For parents of young daughters, Kota Alliance is an amazing resource for young girls to engage with their community, explore self-expression, and learn how to be themselves unapologetically. From the healing arts to health and wellness, their programs are rooted in local partnership. 

We’re so proud to have helped the team at Kota Alliance move into their own location in Harlem with the help of our commercial lending services and business checking account! Learn more about The Kota Alliance’s programs here. 

Our Commitment to Nonprofits

Community means everything to us, which is why we partner with these amazing youth nonprofits and offer personalized banking solutions to all of our nonprofit customers. 

With our nonprofit banking solutions, you have access to more than just one kind of small business bank account. We have specific nonprofit business bank account options and nonprofit lending services. 

Choose us as your trusted nonprofit banking partner today. Get in touch with our team here. 

As we’ve returned back to post-pandemic “normal,” many NYC schools still struggle to provide safe, nurturing environments for students to learn and thrive. These disparities are especially prevalent in the Bronx and Harlem. One of our nonprofit clients, DREAM!, launched in 2009 with a vision to change that. 

After many years of working as a youth educator, mentor, and leader in New York City, DREAM!’s Executive Director, Aisha Norris, pinpointed common needs among the youth she supported — conflict management skills ranked number one. And, when classroom conflict is high, student engagement and academic success suffer, contributing to higher suspension and drop-out rates. Aisha co-founded DREAM! to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. She knew by helping students, educators, families, and underserved communities acquire the practical skills and confidence they need to resolve conflicts creatively and productively, schools would experience an increase in student engagement and higher rates of personal and academic success.  

DREAM! Started in 2009 by teaching conflict resolution skills through the arts. Aisha Norris, Executive Director and Co-Founder explains: 

“We hosted a powerful theatrical experience for 15,000 young people over the span of three years about how teens navigated conflict growing up in the Bronx. That’s when we decided this work is really powerful, and we launched more formal conflict resolution and restorative justice training for students, parents, educators, and staff,” she says. “We wanted to give schools a system that’s sustainable.” 

Aisha and her team knew that corrective discipline was not the answer to student conflicts, so they brought their own solution to NYC schools: restorative justice through the arts. Restorative justice focuses on shifting away from punitive discipline and enforces the idea that crime and harm are violations of people and relationships. DREAM!’s restorative practices programs encourage social-emotional learning and arts engagement. Their programs provide tools to challenge negative behavior in a way that holds all parties accountable for their part in the conflict in order to make things right.

“Restorative justice training isn’t just for teachers. It’s also important for the people our students first contact when they come to school,” says Aisha. “There was one incident where a school support staff member was physically aggressive toward a student who verbally disrespected them, and that’s when we decided we would start offering training to school support staff, as well.”

For students, DREAM! offers peer mediation training, which involves experiential, fun workshops to help them change the way they deal with conflict. These trainings assist students and staff in reducing student suspensions and encourage a shift towards “talking it out” rather than fighting. In schools that utilize DREAM!’s culmination of restorative practice training for parents, staff, teachers, and students, the transformations speak for themselves. For example, International Community High School and the High School for Contemporary Arts saw a 53 to 63 percent reduction in school suspensions after the first year of training, and by the second year, school suspensions fell by 73 to 78 percent! With an impact like that, it’s no wonder Aisha’s goals for DREAM! continue to evolve. 

“Starting this year, we’re going to train advisory teachers with our curriculum so that all of the students receive it and not only the ones receiving mediation,” Aisha tells us. “One of my major goals is for conflict resolution to be part of the educational experience for everyone.” 

As one of the few Bronx banks, our community means everything to us, so we resonate deeply with nonprofits like DREAM! It’s been a pleasure working with Aisha and supporting her with our nonprofit line of credit and our trusted nonprofit banking solutions! We know nonprofits like DREAM! operate differently, often waiting on extended payment cycles, for example. So, we’re keen on helping them reach their goals with our nonprofit loan products, lines of credit, and checking account options. 

DREAM! uses their line of credit to manage day-to-day cash flow. Payments from school and city contracts often take up to six months to receive. 

“As a small nonprofit organization, Spring Bank is the only financial institution that offered us a line of credit. We use it to help with payroll needs when we’re waiting for payments from past-due invoices,” says Aisha. 

Learn more about DREAM!’s impact here and discover internship opportunities. Connect with us to learn how our nonprofit banking solutions can transform your organization. We also encourage you to consider our business bank account for small businesses and learn how we put our mission into action as a community bank in New York. 

Announcing the promotion of Akbar Rizvi, President & Chief Lending Officer
A Spring Bank Staff Feature

We are excited to announce the appointment of Akbar Rizvi, our Chief Lending Officer (CLO), to President and CLO. Akbar will serve in both roles as we expand our reach and impact across New York City.

Spring Bank is on the cusp of tremendous growth and change, with our newest commercial real estate office in Queens, our first Brooklyn location set to open this year, and plans to open our second South Bronx location. Akbar is excited for the future and proud of how far the bank has come and the growth he has helped to foster over thirteen years. It’s our customers’ stories and dedication to their businesses that motivate Akbar daily.

“I’m so proud of the work we do at Spring Bank. One of my favorite parts is listening to our customers’ stories, backgrounds, and what they’ve been through. We’ve helped our clients through some very difficult situations that otherwise would have led them to lose a property or end up in a challenging financial situation. We look to be a partner and provide guidance and support to our clients, and we strive to do this with clarity and honesty,” says Akbar.

The oldest of four, Akbar grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, in a three-bedroom apartment with ten family members. His family’s work ethic and first few job experiences solidified the values Akbar abides by today: commitment, active listening, win-win negotiation, and always leading with empathy, honesty, transparency, respect, and trust.

“I grew up in a hard-working, working-class family. My parents held numerous jobs, and they didn’t take days off. No matter what was happening, they got up and went to work the next morning,” Akbar explains.

At age 12, Akbar started selling newspaper subscriptions. He also became a messenger for a travel agency and took on odd jobs. But it was his first restaurant job that changed the trajectory of his life; starting on his first day, he saw the power of his professional drive and the fruit of his hard work.

With zero industry experience, Akbar applied to be a busser at a high-end restaurant on Long Island overlooking the sound. The manager met him but told him he needed prior experience and to apply elsewhere. But as Akbar drove home, he realized he wanted that job. So, he turned around, went back to the restaurant, and, without a plan, asked to speak to the manager again.

“Before he could say anything,” Akbar shares, “I said, look, I know I don’t have experience, but I’ll work here for free for a week. And if you don’t like it, if I’m not working the way you want, then no issues, but give me a chance.”

Seeing his determination, the manager hired Akbar on the spot and, after his first day, promoted him from busser to food runner. He worked his way up at the restaurant for five years, paying his way through college.

“That moment changed my life. I didn’t have a plan, but I knew I didn’t want to give up. Not only did I get that job, but I also excelled at it. It showed me not to give up. People might pass on you, but you have to push yourself and fight for what you want. And you can’t be willing to give up so easily if it’s something you really believe in,” shares Akbar.

We are so grateful Akbar carries this ethos into his banking profession and leadership with us today. After graduating from the CW Post Campus of Long Island University through the Higher Education Opportunity Program, he worked for five years at a midsize bank in Manhattan. Quickly promoted to Loan Officer, he launched, developed, and ran the ins and outs of their first SBA, small business program. Then, in 2011, he was introduced to our CEO, Demetris Giannoulias.

“The synergy between us was instantaneous. It felt like the right partnership,” explains Akbar. “I was inspired by Spring Bank’s mission of financial inclusion in the South Bronx, and I was looking for a challenge. I knew I could continue learning with this team.”

Though some friends and colleagues found it odd for Akbar to transition from a billion-dollar-plus bank in midtown Manhattan to a small community bank in the Bronx, he knew it was an incredible opportunity—and he’s never looked back. He’s committed to creating access to affordable capital for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and people who have been excluded from the financial system.

“Our customers are not customers who fit into checkboxes. Many have faced adversity and do not have perfect credit profiles. So, we do our best, do our due diligence, and think outside the box, to see if and how it can make sense. Because we don’t do cookie-cutter deals, our approach requires patience, listening, and understanding of the borrower’s unique situation and requests,” explains Akbar.

The innovative and human-centered approach Akbar and our team apply to commercial, consumer, small business, and non-profit lending allows many of our customers to receive the capital and credit-building tools that they may not be able to receive elsewhere.

“Our personalized approach is so important because the South Bronx is still the poorest congressional district in the United States. So, imagine getting a loan or establishing a credit profile,” explains Akbar. “When someone comes to us and improves their credit profile, it can make a significant difference down the road.”  

To support our customers, Akbar, and our lending teams have spent many years creating and adapting products that do not require a credit score or income verification and can often help people establish and build credit, like our Credit Builder Loan. We also accept the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and IDNYC as identification for opening bank accounts and conducting other banking transactions. Akbar and our team are always here with an open door to help you navigate your financial journey and answer your questions.

Thank you to Akbar for sharing your story and for your continued leadership and service to our community! Learn more about our unique commercial real estate and small business programs. Find out why we are the best community bank in New York. 

Primary Information: A Spring Bank Nonprofit Feature

A Brooklyn-based organization and one of our nonprofit clients, Primary Information, works to “advance the often-intertwined relationship between artists’ books and arts’ activism,” by publishing artists’ books and writings at affordable rates to the public and creating a platform for historically marginalized artistic communities. Building on the tradition of the artist book medium dating back to the 1960s, Primary Information is committed to democratizing the distribution of artists’ books.

“Executive Editor and Artistic Director James Hoff started the press with Miriam Katzeff back in 2006 with the idea of bringing long out-of-print, inaccessible publications back into circulation at affordable prices by creating facsimile editions, working to reproduce the original publications as closely as possible to their original form— including matching the original paper stocks as closely as possible,” says Matthew Walker, Executive Director of Primary Information.

They also work with contemporary artists to commission new publications, facilitating intergenerational dialogue with historical publications that remain of critical relevance to contemporary conversations and welcoming the next era of readers.

“Part of our mission is to foster diverse conversation between these historical publications and newer generations of artists working at the vanguard of contemporary practice,” explains Matthew.

The artist list at Primary Information is extensive and includes Pippa Garner, author of the 1982 Better Living Catalog, who has had a recent Renaissance in her career and whose book is already in its third printing since being published in facsimile form in June 2023. The organization’s most recent title, On and Off-Screen Imaginaries by contemporary artist Tiffany Sia, is a collection of six essays written in the wake of the 2019-2020 Hong Kong Protests. Check out their complete catalog here.

The Primary Information team continually reflects on how they can create a more inclusive experience for readers, starting with affordable prices. For example, the price range for a publication is $10 to $40. And $40 gets you a lot for your money: a 600-page, full-color book. Their subscription program, priced at just $125 for the year, is a deal, shipping every book they produce to subscribers for a calendar year.

“We price our books at cost with the aim of breaking even on the production costs of the books, so we have to supplement our sales revenue with grants and donations. We have a generous community who supports our mission to make artists’ books affordable and accessible,” says Matthew.

Primary Information has been a nonprofit customer since 2018, and we are proud to be part of their community.  As a community bank in Bronx, NY, they knew we prioritized the needs of the city’s hardworking small business owners and nonprofits.

“Spring Bank is very supportive of small businesses, and they give lines of credit to organizations that might not otherwise be able to get one, including nonprofit organizations like us,” says Matthew. “Our line of credit was invaluable to helping us navigate cash flow, especially when our budget was smaller.”

It was also our pleasure to support Primary Information through the pandemic with PPP lending and to offer them one-to-one support when they need it. Despite the distance between their offices and our branches in the Bronx, they have never found an issue with accessing the services they need.

“It is so rare to have a personal relationship with your banker these days,” says Matthew. “We use the app and online mobile banking platform daily and have never had an issue doing business in different boroughs than the branch.”

We hope you will take the time to learn more about Primary Information. You can also read more about how we can help your nonprofit manage cash flow through a line of credit or nonprofit checking account. Our nonprofit checking account benefits include no maintenance fees, remote deposit capture, mobile deposit, and personalized service. And if you’re a small business owner, we have what you need via our business checking account or another one of our small business accounts.

A Small Business Client Feature

If that image above didn’t already make your mouth water, we want to warn you that by the end of our feature of Kings Co. Imperial, you will most likely be hungry.

Kings Co. Imperial marries a farm-to-table philosophy with a Brooklyn-style spin on traditional Chinese food. Their unique philosophy? Offer home-style traditional Chinese food with a creative cocktail program and an eclectic vibe. As Jacob Dean wrote in a 2018 article for the Michelin Guide, “Josh Grinker and his business partner Tracy Jane Young made a name for themselves by serving up a menu that didn’t pull its punches.”

We agree. Kings Co. Imperial’s menu punches include dim sum: sesame shrimp toast, Chinese hanging pork ribs, and bok choy potstickers; dishes like Dan Dan Mian (preserved mustard stem, Sichuan pepper, chili oil, minced pork, peanuts), Ocean Wealth Shrimp (baby shrimp, smoked tofu, snow pea, egg, ginger) and many classics, too. They serve dishes from multiple regions of China, including Canton and Sichuan, and don’t forget their beverages.

“Our fruit, herb, and edible flower garden supports our robust and enticing cocktail program, and we do our best to use fresh herbs and juices as often as we can,” says Tracy.

With three locations—Lower East Side, Downtown Brooklyn (for take-out and deliveries), and Williamsburg, they became a hit quickly. We are proud to be part of their small business growth story.

Kings Co. Imperial chefs and owners Tracy Jane Young and Josh Grinker, met in culinary school 20 years ago and trained under the same master Sichuan chef. Later, they traveled to China together, learning and honing their skills. They discover a shared love and passion for the craft and highly technical, diverse cuisine—the most technically difficult cuisine to master in the world.

“China has more recipes than any other country in the world because there is so much originality,” explains Josh. “It’s like the mother source of South Asian cuisine, all other Asian cuisines stemming from China.”

After traveling throughout Southeast Asia and China and working for some of the best restaurants in New York City, including 11 Madison Park, River Cafe, and Nobu, Josh knew he wanted to open his own Chinese restaurant. He approached Tracy, who was traveling the world as a chef on a superyacht, and at first, she thought he was crazy. She wasn’t sure why anyone would come, but also knew she had to find out, and in 2015 they opened their first location in Williamsburg. Eight years later, they still love it.

“We don’t pretend to be experts and we’re not classically trained Chinese chefs. We feel lucky to be able to continue learning and cooking a cuisine that we love,” says Josh.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Josh reminisces about eating Chinese food with his family.

“When we could afford to celebrate a special occasion, we went to Chinatown, eight or six of us around a table,” says Josh. “It’s a special culinary experience for me and the cuisine that makes me most excited to cook.”

Dedication and commitment continue to pay off for Kings Co. Imperial. In 2016, they made the Micheline Guide, and they never closed their doors during the pandemic. They continue to grow and expand. Through our commercial real estate loan program, Kings Co. Imperial bought their Williamsburg location, and they plan to purchase their next property, too.

“This is truly beyond our wildest dreams — to own our own building. Five years ago, we were looking down the line at the end of our rental extension. And now, we own our flagship. We are so grateful to Spring Bank for helping us get the loan process done so quickly,” says Tracy.

“Spring Bank went out on a limb for us.  Our financials are strong, but we didn’t have a lot of cash, so they allowed us to put only 25% down, which is less than most commercial real estate deals,” says Josh.

The next plan is to buy the building next door, which they already rent, and own contiguous buildings with almost 3500 square feet. The plan is to expand private dining options, host more events like their dumpling classes, and continue to support their local followings.

“Rising tides lift all boats; the community can support the businesses, and the businesses can support the community,” says Tracy.

We couldn’t agree more.

Visit Kings Co. and check out their menu.
Learn about the Kings Co. Imperial garden and read their Michelin Feature.

Learn more about our commercial real estate program and how we can help your business grow through a business checking account or business bank account.

Announcing the Launch of Clubhouse Café

Starting as a grassroots soccer program, South Bronx United has transformed from a soccer program into a multifaceted organization— expanding its services far beyond the soccer field and now serving over 1600 young people and their families. From offering academic and career support to social work and immigration services, South Bronx United is a community resource.

At Spring Bank, we’ve had the opportunity to work and partner with many committed Bronx-based nonprofit organizations. As one of a few community banks in Bronx, New York, we take seriously our role as lender, banker, and financial partner. Today, we are introducing South Bronx United, their youth empowerment work, and the exciting launch of their new Clubhouse Café!

“It’s about reevaluating what the community needs, what’s working well and what’s not, how we can do better to serve the students and families we’re already serving and who are we missing as well,” says Andrew So, South Bronx United’s Executive Director.

Realizing that young people faced many barriers after leaving the soccer field, South Bronx United combined the recreational sports program with professional development programs. By tapping into the passion for soccer, the organization engages young people and finds innovative ways to support their diverse needs.

In 2010, the second year of the soccer program, South Bronx United started offering free after-school tutoring and college prep nights. The coaches also served as mentors and teachers, discussing the value of academics and developing leadership skills.

“We provided the students a chance to compete, practice, play in a league, and then we realized pretty quickly that we could do a lot more and have a much bigger impact than just soccer,” Andrew says. “It’s powerful when you start with what a young person loves to do or what they’re really interested in. That’s what really engages them long-term.”

Additionally, South Bronx United recognizes the importance of holistic and family support. Their first full-time hire was a social worker.

“Even if they have a supportive family, these kids need reliable adults outside the home, especially in more challenging environments. We aim for them to feel comfortable here,” Andrew emphasizes.

In addition to their youth programs, they offer adult and family services, including immigrant and citizenship services, social gatherings, job boards, workshops, and more.

“To serve the youth, you also have to serve the family. To provide stability to a young person means helping the family find stability, too,” Andrew states.

South Bronx United’s newest endeavor is their Clubhouse Café, a “social enterprise operated by Bronx youth.” As part of their 3,000-square-foot clubhouse, where they run programs, host classrooms, and run practices on an indoor mini-soccer field, they now host a community café.

In addition to delicious coffee and treats, the Clubhouse Café serves as a training ground for students aged 16-24, providing them with job training, food handler certifications, and resume-building opportunities. The cafe aims to benefit the neighborhood and the youth, preparing them for careers and providing a space for the community to unite.

“We thought it would be great to generate additional awareness in the community and bring people in through a café for everyone,” Andrew explains.

How You Can Support South Bronx United:

1. Visit the Cafe: Stop by River Avenue and 157th Street. Your visit not only supports Bronx youth but also contributes to the growth of a local small business.
2. Encourage Participation: Young people of all ages, from toddlers to teens, are welcome to join South Bronx United programs. Classes in the clubhouse are open to all, and no one is turned away based on their financial situation.
3. Make a Donation: Financial support is crucial for organizations like South Bronx United. Consider donating to help them continue their impactful work in the community.
4. Spread the Word: Share the inspiring story of South Bronx United and encourage others to get involved.

We were introduced to South Bronx United through Rocking the Boat, a client we’ve worked with over the years who has also been having a large positive impact on youth in the South Bronx through educational programming around boat building, sailing, and environmental stewardship.

“We’ve been with [large financial institutions] since day one, but we’ve never had a personal relationship with our bankers. There’s not a branch on every corner, but the relationship and the support with Spring Bank has been fantastic,” shares Andrew.

If you are a nonprofit organization looking for personalized community-driven financial services, explore our nonprofit checking and lending programs. You can also learn how your personal checking account, personal savings account, or business checking account creates local impact for our nonprofit partners.

“Where else can you get a 4% loan? I would not have been able to purchase the equipment at all. I have three more years of payments, and it’s manageable. The assistive vision technology has made all the difference for me.” — Karen Bezem, Assistive Technology Loan Program Recipient 

Are you or a loved one having challenges affording the medical devices and assistive technology you need? Hearing and vision aids, communication devices, environmental adaptations, wheelchairs, and home or vehicle modifications – can be expensive. We know that often, these types of expenses are unexpected.

That’s why we are happy to share that through our partnership with National Disability Institute (NDI)— the first national nonprofit committed exclusively to financial inclusion and empowerment for people with disabilities—individuals can purchase devices they need without getting caught in high-interest debt. Spring Bank and National Disability Institute can help you find and afford assistive technology through the Assistive Technology Loan Program.

The NDI Assistive Technology Loan Program includes a loan of up to $45,000 with competitive interest rates and no credit score requirements for residents of New York and New Jersey. Built into the program is also the opportunity to build credit with every timely loan payment reported to credit bureaus.

Assistive technology products or devices that can improve your independence and quality of life may include:

• Computer equipment
• Hearing aids
• Vision aids
• Modified vehicles
• Scooters/wheelchairs 
• Accessible bathrooms
• Smart home technology

“Spring Bank is very generous. We found out together that a credit score and debt-to-income ratio aren’t as important as being able to verify that a person can afford their monthly expenses, that they are addressing their outstanding credit, and that they can afford the costs of these loans, too,” says Laurie Schaller, Manager Financial Empowerment at National Disability Institute.

Additionally, Laurie and her team at NDI will work as your financial guides, ensuring you can afford the technology you need before you take out the loan. They can help you create a spending plan and understand any benefits you may be eligible for to help people afford their monthly expenses. NDI may even be able to help you find additional funding to help reduce the size of the needed loan; this may be helpful for people who need to hire a contractor for home adjustments for a wheelchair or need a modified vehicle with hand controls, for example.

“For the majority of people who call us, we can usually find a grant or other line of funding to help them purchase the assistive technology and maybe reduce the amount of loan they need,” explains Laurie.

The Assistive Technology Loan Program provides affordable loans of up to $45,000 for the purchase or refinance of assistive technology to residents of New Jersey and New York. Learn more about this opportunity or contact NDI at 202.449.9521

Learn an easy way to alleviate stress in the workplace. 

Money is the number one stress for all Americans, higher than work stresses, family responsibilities, and health concerns.*

New York City— continues to make the top five of most expensive cities in the United States. With rising inflation, income does not always equate to financial security. It feels like money is tight for all of us, and many of us know all too well, that circumstances can change quickly, impacting financial goals. 

That’s why we designed our Employee Opportunity Program. Let your employees know you care in a tangible way, and help them access funds to manage unforeseen expenses—and not get caught in cycles of debt and stress. Through our Employee Opportunity Program, you can help your employees learn to build credit and personal savings, receive free financial counseling, and access our Employee Opportunity Loan. 

We often describe the Employee Opportunity Program as a financial health benefit, part of your larger employee benefits package. When you join the program, we partner with you, too. 

Learn more about how you or your employer can build a financially healthier workforce through the many benefits of our Employee Opportunity Program in this video above & linked here, too:

https://spring.community/employeeoppprogram

 *73 percent of Americans rank their finances as the number one stress in life, according to new Capital One CreditWise survey.