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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Orlando, FL – July 19, 2024  – Following the recent announcement of their appointments as interim co-Chief Executive Officers (co-CEOs) of the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF), Duane Lewis and Oraine Reid share their vision for the future and reflect on the enduring legacy of the late Inez Long. As BBIF continues its mission, the organization reaffirms its unwavering commitment to economic development and support for diverse entrepreneurs. "It is with profound respect and gratitude that we step into these roles," said Duane Lewis, Interim Co-CEO. " Inez Long was a remarkable leader whose vision and dedication shaped BBIF into the CDFI powerhouse it is today. Her legacy is one of empowering and providing economic resources to underserved communities, and Oraine and I are committed to continuing her vision. Our focus remains on empowering Black, indigenous & people of color (BIPOC) and other underserved entrepreneurs through innovative financial solutions and unwavering support." Oraine Reid, Interim Co-CEO, added, " Working alongside Inez for many years has prepared us to uphold and advance her vision. The strength of BBIF lies in its team, and together, we embody the resilience and determination that Inez instilled in us. We are confident in our ability to navigate this transition and lead BBIF into a future that honors her incredible contributions. The true mark of Inez’s leadership is the thriving organization she left behind, filled with capable and passionate individuals ready to carry the torch." As BBIF moves forward, the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering economic development and supporting diverse entrepreneurs. The co-CEOs assure funders, partners, and the community that BBIF's mission and values are stronger than ever. "We want our stakeholders to know that while the loss of Inez was great, her spirit and drive live on within us and the entire BBIF family," said Duane Lewis. "We are united in our purpose and resilient in our approach, ready to face the challenges ahead and seize new opportunities for growth and impact." Oraine Reid added “Our organization is stronger than ever and will continue to execute on our strategy with precision and passion. We will continue to carry the torch forward, building on the momentum created by Inez. Our leadership team is dedicated, experienced, and committed to continue to drive progress, innovate, and deliver results." For more information about BBIF and its initiatives, please visit our website. Media Contact: Rhema Nnadi Director of Marketing, BBIF Rnnadi@bbif.com

Ray Gilley brings decades of leadership and a commitment to economic development. ORLANDO, FL – December 20, 2024  – The Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF) is proud to announce the appointment of Ray Gilley as its new Chief Executive Officer. After an extensive search process, Ray was selected for his outstanding leadership, broad expertise, and unwavering dedication to economic and community development.  Ray brings decades of experience in business retention, growth, and attraction, as well as the development and implementation of financial tools such as Tax Incentives, Industrial Revenue Bonds, CDFI funds, Tax Allocation Districts, and New Market Tax Credits. Throughout his career, he has successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to deliver impactful programs and sustainable results across regional, state, county, and community levels.    In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ray has held numerous appointed and volunteer roles across education, economic and workforce development, healthcare, business, and community development. His broad perspective and extensive network of relationships uniquely position him to lead BBIF into its next chapter of growth and impact.    “I am excited to join BBIF and build on its incredible legacy of advancing opportunities for underserved and underbanked businesses and communities,” said Ray Gilley, BBIF CEO. “This is an important time for the organization, and I am confident that, together with the talented team and our valued partners, we will continue to innovate, deliver meaningful results, and make a lasting difference.”    BBIF Board Chair, Jacqueline Barr, shared her enthusiasm about the appointment. “Ray’s wealth of experience, strategic vision, and proven ability to drive impactful results make him an ideal leader for BBIF. The board is confident in Ray’s ability to guide the organization forward, deepen our partnerships, and expand our reach in underserved communities. We are excited for this next chapter under his leadership and look forward to the continued growth and success of BBIF.”    In the coming weeks and months, BBIF looks forward to introducing Ray to its partners, stakeholders, and community supporters. These engagements will provide opportunities to share his vision for BBIF and deepen connections with those who play a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission.    BBIF remains committed to empowering businesses, fostering equitable growth, and creating sustainable economic opportunities in underserved communities.    About BBIF:    Created in 1987, BBIF develops and promotes underserved business enterprises through education, training, loans, investments, and other activities and aggressively promote an atmosphere conducive to their development. A mission-driven lender, BBIF helps communities and businesses thrive by providing loan capital and specialized financial technical assistance services. BBIF is a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) and CDE (Community Development Enterprise) certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Community Advantage and Micro Loan lender as certified by U.S. Small Business Administration, Money Smart for Small Business collaborator certified by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and is AERIS rated triple star, A.  Since its inception, BBIF has provided over 1,150 loans totaling $89.7 million and leveraged $625 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) community investments. BBIF’s investments have helped to create/sustain over 14,700 jobs all while maintaining a loan loss rate of 2.79%. Learn more at   www.BBIF.com .      ###    Media contacts:    Jasmine Gebon, VP Strategic Initiatives   jgebon@bbif.com     Rhema Nnadi, Marketing Director   rnnadi@bbif.com

ORLANDO, FL (January 14, 2025) FAIRWINDS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of FAIRWINDS Credit Union, recently announced the recipients of its 2025 grants at a breakfast event held at Full Sail Live. The event, attended by prominent community leaders and representatives from sixteen organizations, celebrated the Foundation’s largest grant distribution to date. This year, FAIRWINDS Foundation increased its grant contributions by $100,000, bringing the total to an impressive $500,000. Since 2018, the Foundation has dedicated over $2 million towards initiatives aimed at enhancing financial well-being, underlining its commitment to improving lives through financial literacy. Among the recipients, the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF), through its charitable affiliate Black Business Community Development Corporation (BBCDC), was awarded $30,000. This grant will support BBIF’s ongoing efforts to empower underserved business owners with critical financial literacy education. "We value our ongoing relationship with FAIRWINDS Foundation," stated Duane Lewis, Executive Director of BBCDC & COO of BBIF. "Their support helps us deliver the vital resources and guidance that underserved business owners require to succeed. FAIRWINDS' commitment to financial literacy education is one that we deeply admire, as it is crucial for empowering entrepreneurs." Initiated in 2022 with the support of FAIRWINDS Foundation, BBIF’s Financial Literacy Workshop Series, led by Community Development Officer Karlon Johnson, has been a cornerstone of this initiative. The workshops address key financial topics such as personal credit, debt management, and cash flow strategies. To date, the series has positively impacted hundreds of entrepreneurs, reinforcing the importance of financial education in the growth and success of minority-owned businesses in Central Florida. Thanks to this renewed grant, BBIF is set to expand these vital services, reaching an even broader audience of entrepreneurs in the upcoming year. “When families and individuals have the information and tools needed to secure and improve their financial health, we collectively impact and improve our community’s economic well-being,” said Elisha González, vice president of community relations and government affairs at FAIRWINDS and executive director of FAIRWINDS Foundation. “These non-profits are conducting incredible work to advance financial literacy and shepherding our communities to experience financial freedom and reach broad-based prosperity.” About FAIRWINDS Foundation FAIRWINDS  Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to helping individuals achieve a path toward financial responsibility, security and freedom and inspiring them to transform the lives of others by living generously. Through education, financial contribution and volunteerism, the Foundation works with and supports organizations that align with its passion of improving lives through financial literacy.  For more information, visit www.fairwinds.org/foundation . About FAIRWINDS For 75 years,  FAIRWINDS  Credit Union has helped members achieve financial freedom by saving more, eliminating debt, building wealth, and living generously. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida,  FAIRWINDS  serves more than 225,000 members with innovative and secure personal and commercial financial services, including deposits and loans, wealth management, retirement planning, treasury services, merchant services, and more. With a member satisfaction score twice the banking industry average,  FAIRWINDS  members experience confidence and peace of mind.  FAIRWINDS  is consistently named a top employer of choice, including  American Banker ,  Credit Union Times,  and  Florida Trend . Recognized among Central Florida’s most philanthropic companies by  Orlando Business Journal ,  FAIRWINDS  builds financial literacy in the region through its  FAIRWINDS  Foundation. For more information, visit  www.fairwinds.org . About BBCDC The Black Business Community Development Corporation (BBCDC) was created in 1993. It is a 501c3 entity that provides fundraising, education, and networking opportunities to develop and support the growth of minority businesses and underserved communities. Additionally, BBCDC has the vision to develop sustainable communities by providing low to moderate and affordable housing. BBCDC is the charitable affiliate of BBIF. The previous name of BBCDC was Black Business Capital Financing Corporation (BBCFC). In early 2020 the BBCFC board felt it was necessary to transition to a CDC, hence changing the name to BBCDC. The new name, BBCDC, became effective on March 16, 2020. About BBIF Created in 1987, BBIF’s mission is to develop and promote Black business enterprises through education, training, loans, investments, and other activities and to aggressively promote an atmosphere conducive to their development. A mission-driven lender, BBIF helps communities and businesses thrive by providing loan capital and specialized financial technical assistance services. BBIF is a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) and CDE (Community Development Enterprise) certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Community Advantage and Micro Loan lender as certified by U.S. Small Business Administration, Money Smart for Small Business collaborator certified by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and is AERIS rated triple star, A. Since its inception, BBIF has provided over 1,100 loans totaling $89.7 million and leveraged $468.9 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) community investments. BBIF’s investments have helped to create/sustain over 14,000 jobs all while maintaining a historical loan loss rate of 2.79%. Learn more at www.BBIF.com .

BBIF Florida Receives More Than $1.5M in Grants and Loans From Wells Fargo and SunTrust for Small Business Growth ORLANDO, Fla. - One of the greatest contributors to the failure of any start-up organization is a lack of funding to help get the business off the ground. And yet, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that small businesses comprise more than 99 percent of America’s 28.7 million firms. A similar message resounded from Xavier Ramey, CEO of the social impact consulting firm Justice Informed and keynote speaker at last Thursday’s Black Business Investment Fund of Florida (BBIF) annual partner luncheon. In his remarks, entitled “The Road to Economic Justice, For Black and Brown Communities,” Ramey emphasized the importance of the business community rising up to lend a hand to minority-owned businesses. Also, as part of the luncheon, attendees heard from representatives of Wells Fargo and SunTrust banks about their roles in supporting the BBIF, a mission-driven lender and business development organization that helps communities thrive by providing loan capital for African-Americans, other minorities and underserved businesses by creating opportunities for low-income communities through real estate investments. In fact, the Wells Fargo Foundation announced it had awarded a $500,000 grant to BBIF in support of diverse small businesses. The grant is part of the Wells Fargo Works For Small Business® : Diverse Community Capital (DDC) program, which offers capital and technical assistance to minority-owned small businesses as a way to create local jobs and strengthen neighborhoods. This $500,000 investment will help to support BBIF’s statewide growth and expansion plans. Specifically, the funds will be used to create a Construction Assistance Center to propel minority entrepreneurs in the booming construction industry in several areas throughout the state. “This recently announced grant represents a continuation of the Wells Fargo Foundation’s ongoing commitment to support diverse communities as well as black and minority businesses throughout Florida,” stated Inez Long, president and CEO of BBIF. “This new investment will provide BBIF the resources necessary to better respond to the needs of our client-base, providing specific training resources that they need to scale their businesses and create additional jobs.” “BBIF Florida is deeply embedded in the community and has the skill to deliver personalized coaching, services, and capital to minority small-business owners,” said BBIF Florida Board Member and Wells Fargo Florida and Southeast Community Relations Senior Manager Marilyn Drayton. “Together, we can help more diverse entrepreneurs reach their full potential and stimulate job creation in the process. We know that working with CDFIs is an effective way to put more small businesses on a path to financial success.” Marilyn Drayton BBIF FL Board Member / Wells Fargo & Southeast Community Relations Senior Manager In addition, SunTrust Community Capital, a subsidiary of SunTrust Banks, Inc., announced at the luncheon that it would be providing a $1 million low-interest loan to BBIF. The loan will go towards capitalizing well-established BBIF Florida small business loan programs that are then made available to privately-owned and minority-owned businesses located across the state. “BBIF Florida is a real agent of change in Florida’s communities. Their dynamic approach of coupling training with affordable lending has helped community members across the state start businesses that have thrived, while employing thousands of Floridians. We are proud to further our relationship with BBIF Florida and look forward to seeing their continued success,” said Sandy Hostetter, Orlando Market president of SunTrust. Over 30 years, BBIF Florida has issued more than 400 loans, totaling $47.6 million, to support the creation of nearly 13,000 jobs. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency, Florida ranks among the top states for minority-owned businesses. “SunTrust has been an organizational investor for over 31 years. This investment serves as a new opportunity to impact more black and minority small businesses throughout Florida” added Long. ### About BBIF Florida BBIF Florida is a mission-driven lender and business development organization that helps communities thrive by providing loan capital for African Americans, other minorities and underserved businesses by creating opportunities for low-income communities through real estate investments. The key to BBIF’s success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a consistent focus on achieving positive results. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., BBIF is Florida’s largest statewide small business lender that specializes in providing capital for minority and underserved businesses. Since 1988, BBIF has provided over $48 million in loans to more than 434 businesses and leveraged $132 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) community investments. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund, Community Development Enterprise (CDE) and New Markets Tax Credit Allocation. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Community Advantage “Delegated” Lender and Micro Loan Lender, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a Money Smart Small Business Collaborator and is a member of the prestigious Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), a national membership group of CDFIs, as well as the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), a national membership group of microenterprise financers. BBIF is an equal opportunity provider. In addition to providing simplified capital solutions, BBIF Florida assists business clients by providing financial technical assistance services. An intensive management capacity training service, the Financial Training Academy helps business owners to successfully manage and meet their business challenges, maximizing profits and creating/retaining jobs. The entrepreneurial spirit of our clients drives our passion for the work we do, breaking down barriers and strengthening businesses in the markets we serve. For more information, visit https://bbif.com/ About Wells Fargo Works For Small Business Launched in 2015, the Wells Fargo Works For Small Business ®: Diverse Community Capital program operates in collaboration with the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). According to OFN’s latest report, DCC awardees have already made more than 16,000 loans to diverse small business owners resulting in $785 million in lending across 37 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. In addition, grant funding has provided for more than 322,000 hours of development services for over 49,000 diverse entrepreneurs. Wells Fargo is on track to invest more than $175 million in diverse small businesses growth through 2020. About SunTrust Banks, Inc. SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI) is a purpose-driven company dedicated to Lighting the Way to Financial Well-Being for the people, businesses, and communities it serves. SunTrust leads onUp , a national movement inspiring Americans to build financial confidence. Headquartered in Atlanta, the Company has two business segments: Consumer and Wholesale. Its flagship subsidiary, SunTrust Bank, operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high-growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states, along with 24-hour digital access. Certain business lines serve consumer, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients nationally. As of June 30, 2019, SunTrust had total assets of $222 billion and total deposits of $161 billion. The Company provides deposit, credit, trust, investment, mortgage, asset management, securities brokerage, and capital market services. Learn more at suntrust.com .

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – The Black Business Investment Fund of Central Florida (BBIF) is pleased to announce it has been awarded $33.5 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. Since receiving its first federal NMTC allocation in the 2014 funding cycle, BBIF has been awarded four allocations totaling $93.49 million. The NMTC Program attracts private capital into low-income communities by permitting individual and corporate investors to receive a tax credit against their federal income tax in exchange for making equity investments on projects in economically distressed communities. The credit totals 39 percent of the original investment amount and is claimed over a period of seven years. “We are honored by CDFI Fund’s support of our work and affirmation of our mission to provide low-cost, flexible capital and technical assistance to small and medium-sized businesses owned by Black, minority, and other underserved women and men in our state,” said Inez Long, CEO of BBIF. “We will use this allocation to invest in job creation, healthcare, education, and purveyors of fresh food in severely distressed communities and we are honored to be entrusted to support and invest in our underserved communities, particularly during this health and economic crisis.” INEZ LONG CEO, BBIF Since its inception in 2001, the NMTC program has awarded more than $61 billion to projects across the United States. About BBIF Florida BBIF Florida is a mission-driven lender and business development organization that helps communities thrive by providing loan capital for African American, other minorities and underserved businesses and by creating opportunities for low-income communities through real estate investments. The key to our success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a consistent focus on achieving positive results. Headquartered in Orlando, BBIF is and is Florida’s largest statewide small business lender that specializes in providing capital for minority and underserved businesses. Since 1988, BBIF has provided over $49.8 million in loans to more than 451 businesses and leveraged $135.19 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) community investments. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury CDFI Fund as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Community Development Enterprise (CDE) and New Markets Tax Credit Allocatee. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Community Advantage “Delegated” Lender and Micro Loan Lender, the State of Florida as a Black Business Investment Corporation, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a Money Smart Small Business Collaborator, by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a Short Term Lender and is a member of the prestigious Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), a national membership group of CDFIs. BBIF is an equal opportunity provider. In addition to providing simplified capital solutions, BBIF Florida assists business clients by providing financial technical assistance services. An intensive management capacity training service, the Financial Training Academy helps business owners to successfully manage and meet their business challenges, maximizing profits and creating/retaining jobs. The entrepreneurial spirit of our clients drives our passion for the work we do, breaking down barriers and strengthening businesses in the markets we serve. For more information, visit https://bbif.com/

BBIF Florida Receives $500,000 Grant From Wells Fargo to Spark Small Business Growth ORLANDO, Fla – The Black Business Investment Fund of Florida (BBIF) is pleased to announce today that the organization has been awarded a $500,000 grant from Wells Fargo in support of diverse small businesses. The grant, from the Wells Fargo Foundation, is part of the Wells Fargo Works For Small Business® : Diverse Community Capital (DDC) program, which offers capital and technical assistance to minority-owned small businesses as a way to create local jobs and strengthen neighborhoods. This grant is one of 18 funded so far this year totaling $7.9 million in contributions nationwide to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). “This recently announced grant represents a continuation of Wells Fargo’s ongoing commitment to support diverse communities as well as black and minority businesses throughout Florida,” stated Inez Long, president and CEO of BBIF. “This new investment will provide BBIF the resources necessary to better respond to the needs of our client-base, providing specific training resources that they need to scale their businesses and create additional jobs.” The $500,000 investment will help to support BBIF’s statewide growth and expansion plans. Specifically, the funds will be used to create a Construction Assistance Center to propel minority entrepreneurs in the booming construction industry in several areas throughout the state. BBIF was one of three initial Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Funds to be awarded grant dollars through Wells Fargo’s DCC program when it launched in 2015. At that time, BBIF was awarded $1 million. “BBIF Florida is deeply embedded in the community and has the skill to deliver personalized coaching, services, and capital to minority small-business owners,” said BBIF Florida Board Member and Wells Fargo Florida and Southeast Community Relations Senior Manager Marilyn Drayton. “Together, we can help more diverse entrepreneurs reach their full potential and stimulate job creation in the process. We know that working with CDFIs is an effective way to put more small businesses on a path to financial success.” Wells Fargo has been an essential part of BBIF’s growth over the last four years, providing debt and grant capital investments totaling more than $4 million. This total includes funds used to launch a Hurricane Resiliency Loan Fund, through which BBIF partners with other Florida-based CDFIs to provide capital to small businesses that have been impacted by recent hurricanes, or are preparing in advance for potential storms. Launched in 2015, the Wells Fargo Works For Small Business ®: Diverse Community Capital program operates in collaboration with the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). According to OFN’s latest report, DCC awardees have already made more than 16,000 loans to diverse small business owners resulting in $785 million in lending across 37 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. In addition, grant funding has provided for more than 322,000 hours of development services for over 49,000 diverse entrepreneurs. Wells Fargo is on track to invest more than $175 million in diverse small businesses growth through 2020. About BBIF Florida BBIF Florida is a mission-driven lender and business development organization that helps communities thrive by providing loan capital for African-Americans, other minorities and underserved businesses by creating opportunities for low-income communities through real estate investments. The key to BBIF’s success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a consistent focus on achieving positive results. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., BBIF is Florida’s largest statewide small business lender that specializes in providing capital for minority and underserved businesses. Since 1988, BBIF has provided over $48 million in loans to more than 434 businesses and leveraged $132 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) community investments. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund, Community Development Enterprise (CDE) and New Markets Tax Credit Allocatee. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Community Advantage “Delegated” Lender and Micro Loan Lender, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a Money Smart Small Business Collaborator, and is a member of the prestigious Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), a national membership group of CDFIs, as well as the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), a national membership group of microenterprise financers. BBIF is an equal opportunity provider. In addition to providing simplified capital solutions, BBIF Florida assists business clients by providing financial technical assistance services. An intensive management capacity training service, the Financial Training Academy helps business owners to successfully manage and meet their business challenges, maximizing profits and creating/retaining jobs. The entrepreneurial spirit of our clients drives our passion for the work we do, breaking down barriers and strengthening businesses in the markets we serve. For more information, visit https://bbif.com/

ATLANTA, GA – SunTrust Community Capital, a subsidiary of SunTrust Banks, Inc., announced today that it will provide a $1 million low-interest loan to the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF) of Florida. The loan will go towards capitalizing well-established BBIF Florida small business loan programs that are then made available to privately-owned and minority-owned businesses located across the state. “ BBIF Florida is a real agent of change in Florida’s communities. Their dynamic approach of coupling training with affordable lending has helped community members across the state start businesses that have thrived, while employing thousands of Floridians. We are proud to further our relationship with BBIF Florida and look forward to seeing their continued success.” Sandy Hostetter Orlando Market, President of SunTrust Over 30 years, BBIF Florida has issued more than 400 loans, totaling $47.6 million, to support the creation of nearly 13,000 jobs. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency, Florida ranks among the top states for minority-owned businesses. “SunTrust has been an organizational investor for over 31 years. This investment serves as a new opportunity to impact more black and minority small businesses throughout Florida” said Inez Long, President and CEO of BBIF Florida. BBIF Florida is a 501(c)4 non-profit, community development financial institution. They are a mission-driven organization which helps Florida businesses thrive by providing loan capital alongside business development training. They help stabilize low-income, distressed neighborhoods by investing in economic development projects that support communities and create jobs. About SunTrust Banks, Inc. SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI) is a purpose-driven company dedicated to Lighting the Way to Financial Well-Being for the people, businesses, and communities it serves. SunTrust leads onUp , a national movement inspiring Americans to build financial confidence. Headquartered in Atlanta, the Company has two business segments: Consumer and Wholesale. Its flagship subsidiary, SunTrust Bank, operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high-growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states, along with 24-hour digital access. Certain business lines serve consumer, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients nationally. As of June 30, 2019, SunTrust had total assets of $222 billion and total deposits of $161 billion. The Company provides deposit, credit, trust, investment, mortgage, asset management, securities brokerage, and capital market services. Learn more at suntrust.com .

Orlando, Florida, Sept. 14, 2020 – BBIF announced today that it received a $1.5 million grant from Truist Financial Corporation to create a COVID-19 small business grant program for existing BBIF clients. BBIF created this new program to address the needs it found among its small and micro business owners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These needs range from limited access to inventory and PPE supplies, depletion of cash reserves, and reduction in hours of operation. This new grant program will give its micro and small business owners the flexibility to address their immediate needs without worrying about repayment. The grant is part of the financial services company’s Truist Cares* initiative, a $50 million philanthropic pledge to help rebuild communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “SunTrust, now Truist, has been a committed partner since BBIF’s inception in 1987,” Inez Long President/CEO of BBIF Florida “This grant demonstrates the bank’s continued commitment to invest and support the growth and sustainability of Black businesses. It’s the perfect way for BBIF clients to add to their capital stack without overleveraging their companies. Most African American businesses have difficulty accessing a range of capital, and we are proud to work with Truist in providing alternatives to debt. I value and applaud Truist’s leadership, and I look forward to our continued partnership and collaborative work to make equitable investments into the African American community.” “We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with BBIF Florida,” said Lynette Bell, President of the Truist Foundation. “It’s critical that we support community development financial institutions such as BBIF Florida that are strengthening small and micro businesses during this difficult environment. Meeting the critical needs of small businesses to help them thrive is one way we’re fulfilling our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities.” About BBIF Florida BBIF Florida is a mission-driven lender and business development organization that helps communities thrive by providing loan capital for African Americans, other minorities and underserved businesses by creating opportunities for low-income communities through real estate investments. Headquartered in Orlando, FL, BBIF is Florida’s largest statewide small business lender that specializes in providing capital for minority and underserved businesses. Since 1988, BBIF has provided over $49.8 million in loans to more than 451 businesses, been awarded $93.49 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation and leveraged an additional $135.19 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) community investments. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund, Community Development Enterprise (CDE) and New Markets Tax Credit Allocation. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury CDFI Fund as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Community Development Enterprise (CDE) and New Markets Tax Credit Allocatee. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Community Advantage “Delegated” Lender and Micro Loan Lender, the State of Florida as a Black Business Investment Corporation, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a Money Smart Small Business Collaborator, by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a Short Term Lender and is a member of the prestigious Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), a national membership group of CDFIs. BBIF is an equal opportunity provider. In addition to providing simplified capital solutions, BBIF Florida assists business clients by providing financial technical assistance services. An intensive management capacity training service, the Financial Technical Assistance Program helps business owners to successfully manage and meet their business challenges, maximizing profits and creating/retaining jobs. The entrepreneurial spirit of our clients drives our passion for the work we do, breaking down barriers and strengthening businesses in the markets we serve. Learn more at BBIFFlorida.com About Truist Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspire and build better lives and communities. With 275 years of combined BB&T and SunTrust history, Truist serves approximately 12 million households with leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is the sixth-largest commercial bank in the U.S. with total assets of $504 billion as of June 30, 2020. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com . * Truist Cares is a cooperative effort between Truist Financial Corporation, Truist Foundation, Inc., and Truist Charitable Fund to provide communities, organizations and individuals disaster relief and assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.

Orlando, Florida, September 25th, 2020 – We are very excited to announce that BBIF Florida has been awarded $520,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). In total, the CDFI Fund awarded 397 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) $204.1 million in awards yesterday. The CDFI Program invests in and builds the capacity of CDFIs to support economic growth and serve low-income, distressed people and communities lacking adequate access to affordable financial products and services. This is BBIF Florida’s fourth CDFI/CORE Financial Assistance (FA) program award. “The timing of these resources is critical, and truly a win for Black businesses in Florida. The economic hardship prompted by COVID-19, has added additional economic disparities to Black businesses; this award allows for BBIF to provide capital to these vulnerable businesses,” adds President/CEO Inez Long. The grant funds will be used to capitalize on existing BBIF Florida business loan programs and expand our financial technical assistance training program. To view the FY 2020 CDFI Program award book, click here. BBIF Florida is an equal opportunity provider. About BBIF Florida BBIF Florida is a mission-driven lender and business development organization that helps communities thrive by providing loan capital for African Americans, other minorities and underserved businesses by creating opportunities for low-income communities through real estate investments. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., BBIF is Florida’s largest statewide small business lender that specializes in providing capital for minority and underserved businesses. Since 1988, BBIF has provided over $49.8 million in loans to more than 451 businesses and leveraged $135.19 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) community investments. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund, Community Development Enterprise (CDE) and New Markets Tax Credit Allocation. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Community Advantage “Intermediary” Lender and Micro Loan Lender, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a Money Smart Small Business Collaborator and is a member of the prestigious Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), a national membership group of CDFIs, as well as the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), a national membership group of microenterprise financers. BBIF is an equal opportunity provider. In addition to providing simplified capital solutions, BBIF Florida assists business clients by providing financial technical assistance services. An intensive management capacity training service, the Financial Training Academy helps business owners to successfully manage and meet their business challenges, maximizing profits and creating/retaining jobs. The entrepreneurial spirit of our clients drives our passion for the work we do, breaking down barriers and strengthening businesses in the markets we serve. For more information, visit https://bbif.com/

BBIF is excited to be a participating lender for the Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) Fund , a new program aimed at providing small businesses and nonprofits across the South affordable capital and critical business support at a time when they need it the most. With the SOAR Fund, BBIF will further its mission to serve the historically unbanked community, including Black, minority, and other underserved businesses. The SOAR Fund, which will launch once the federal Paycheck Protection Program closes, will provide loans of up to $100,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 50 full-time employees. Small business owners and nonprofits who need support can visit the website and pre-register. Access the full press release to learn more . About BBIF BBIF is a mission-driven lender and business development organization that helps communities thrive by providing loan capital for African Americans, other minorities, and underserved businesses by creating opportunities for low-income communities through real estate investments. Headquartered in Orlando, FL, BBIF is Florida’s largest statewide small business lender that specializes in providing capital for minority and underserved businesses. Since 1988, BBIF has provided over $49.8 million in loans to more than 451 businesses, been awarded $93.49 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation, and leveraged an additional $135.19 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) community investments. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund, Community Development Enterprise (CDE), and New Markets Tax Credit Allocation. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Community Advantage Lender and Micro Loan Lender, the State of Florida as a Black Business Investment Corporation, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a Money Smart Small Business Collaborator, by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a Short Term Lender and is a member of the prestigious Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), a national membership group of CDFIs. BBIF is an equal opportunity provider. In addition to providing simplified capital solutions, BBIF assists business clients by providing financial technical assistance services. An intensive management capacity training service, the Financial Technical Assistance Program helps business owners to successfully manage and meet their business challenges, maximizing profits and creating/retaining jobs. The entrepreneurial spirit of our clients drives our passion for the work we do, breaking down barriers and strengthening businesses in the markets we serve. For more information, visit https://bbif.com/ About the SOAR Fund The Southern Opportunity and Resilience Fund (SOAR) provides access to flexible, affordable capital and free business support services to small businesses and nonprofits through trusted community-based organizations. These organizations have decades of experience supporting historically under-resourced small businesses, including those in low-income and rural communities and owned by women and people of color. SOAR is a collaborative partnership of local and national community finance organizations created to address the needs of historically disenfranchised communities as they navigate and rebuild from the COVID-19 crisis. SOAR includes leaders from across sectors including local community lenders, national and state-based nonprofit organizations, corporations, philanthropic donors, and investors – all who are passionate about an equitable recovery across the region. ###

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – The Black Business Investment Fund of Central Florida (BBIF) is pleased to announce it has been awarded $55 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. Since receiving its first federal NMTC allocation in the 2014 funding cycle, BBIF has been awarded five allocations totaling $148.49 million. “We are honored by the CDFI Fund’s support and recognition of our work to provide low-cost, flexible capital and technical assistance training to Black, minority and other underserved businesses in Florida, said Inez Long, CEO. This significant award will enable us to inject capital and help stabilize minority and underserved communities in our state that continue to be impacted by the pandemic. Since its inception in 2001, the NMTC program has awarded more than $65 billion to allocatees across the United States. About BBIF Florida BBIF is a Minority controlled nonprofit CDFI with a primary mission of providing capital to support small-to-medium sized businesses as a means of providing economic opportunity within low-income communities. Utilizing its new allocation, BBIF will provide loan pools and leverage capital – placing emphasis on businesses acquiring/renovating commercial real estate, creating quality jobs, access to healthcare, education, and healthy food. In addition to providing simplified capital solutions, BBIF assists business clients by providing financial technical assistance services, by way of an intensive management capacity training program. This program helps business owners to successfully manage and meet their business challenges, maximize profits and create/retain jobs. BBIF is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury CDFI Fund as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Community Development Enterprise (CDE). BBIF is also certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Community Advantage Lender and Micro Loan Lender, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as a Money Smart Small Business collaborator and is a member of the prestigious Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), a national membership group of CDFIs. BBIF is an equal opportunity provider.

Orlando, Florida, December 8th, 2021. We are excited to share the news that BBIF was awarded $500,000 from the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. Financial Assistance Awards from the CDFI Program The CDFI Program invests in and builds the capacity of CDFIs that serve low-income people and underserved communities lacking adequate access to affordable financial products and services. For the FY 2021 CDFI Program round, the CDFI Fund awarded $119.2 million in Base-FA awards to 248 organizations in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The CDFI Fund also awarded $18.6 million in PPC-FA awards to 125 CDFIs specifically to serve Persistent Poverty. Learn more about the FA award. This is BBIF’s fifth FA award and will serve as an instrument for continued capacity building and growth for the organization. The funds will be used to capitalize loan pools and provide ongoing technical assistance services to BBIF’s target market of Black, minority, and underserved small businesses. “This injection of capital comes at a pivotal time for many Black, minority, and underserved small businesses in Florida,” said Inez Long, BBIF President/CEO. “These funds allow for BBIF to continue providing flexible, patient lending solutions for the small businesses that need it most.” About BBIF Created in 1987, BBIF’s mission is to develop and promote Black business enterprises through education, training, loans, investments, and other activities and to aggressively promote an atmosphere conducive to their development. A mission-driven lender, BBIF helps communities and businesses thrive by providing loan capital and specialized financial technical assistance services. BBIF is a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) and CDE (Community Development Enterprise) certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Community Advantage and Micro Loan lender as certified by U.S. Small Business Administration, Money Smart for Small Business collaborator certified by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and is AERIS rated triple star, A-minus. Since our inception, BBIF has provided over $62 million in loans to more than 800 businesses and leveraged $292 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) community investments. BBIF’s investments have helped to create/sustain over 17,800 jobs, all while maintaining a historical loan loss rate of 4%.