Independent Banker - September 2020 - 78

CONNECTIONS
" We wanted to show students
diff erent individual stories-where
diff erent people started from, the
obstacles they overcame and the
advice they would give. "
-Swarvoski Little,
First Southwest Bank
programs. In preparation for the RCAC-FSWCF partnership,
Cass Walker Harvey, executive director of FSWCF, attended
the 2019 graduation ceremony for the RCAC entrepreneurs
and was impressed with the quality and diversity
of business ideas. " There is everything from construction
to car repair and maintenance to food trucks and artisanal
[off erings], such as jewelry, " she says.
The Native American Entrepreneur Loan Fund has started
by off ering $10,000 loans to Acoma, Isleta and Pueblo
de Cochiti entrepreneurs. " We're treating it as a pilot, and
if all goes well, we'll hopefully be able to expand the fund to
other RCAC cohorts in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, "
Harvey says.
Harvey and her staff are currently reviewing loan applications
and have already funded their fi rst loan. Because
many Native Americans may have had limited opportunities
to build credit, some credit criteria have been modifi
ed. However, Harvey says the fund is carefully screening
applications for those that demonstrate a resilient business
model.
A program with depth
Rickert observes that FSWB's outreach to Native Americans
is more complex than simply rolling out a traditional
small business loan program. " This is a diff erent population,
and to ensure success, we have to create the relationship
fi rst and be a source of trust for the Native American
Nations, " she says.
The community bank has spent signifi cant time and
resources forming relationships with local Native American
organizations. " We're at a grassroots level, working on
68 Q ICBA Independent Banker Q September 2020
understanding what the infrastructure is for the kind of
work we do, " Curtis says.
In 2019, he attended the Navajo Nation Economic Summit,
an annual event held in Flagstaff , Ariz., where he
met with JT Willie, the executive director of the division
of economic development of the Navajo Nation. The two
are exploring ways to collaborate, which will begin with
FSWB providing fi nancial education to elementary schools
throughout the Navajo Nation.
Representatives from the community bank also attended
" Pitch Day " at Change Labs, a Navajo Nation small business
accelerator in Tuba City, Ariz. " It was good to see the different
kinds of businesses they're supporting, such as recyclers,
fashion designers and photographers in the Navajo
and Hopi nations, " Little says.
Several years ago, Curtis steered FSWB to CDFI certifi cation,
a U.S. Treasury designation of banks that provide, in
part, access to working capital for underserved communities,
and he believes the current outreach exemplifi es this
mission. " We do lots of community development projects,
and I encourage our staff to become familiar with issues
within our community, " he says.
Little adds that FSWB's institutional values have contributed
to the success of its outreach. " The bank has three
values: people and culture fi rst, fresh ideas, and make a difference, "
he says. " I feel happy and thankful that I'm able
to help make these connections and build these bridges of
trust. It's great that the FSWB team has been open to learning
about the Navajo nation. "
Judith Sears is a writer in Colorado.
Independent Banker - September 2020

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