Denver, Colo.-based Sunflower Bank is expanding its community affairs office as the bank grows following its recent merger with Pioneer Bank, Austin.
The community affairs office partners with both community organizations and local bank leaders and undertakes community engagement, gathers community feedback, and seeks out community service, investment and lending opportunities. The office is led by Director of Community Reinvestment Danny Spears, with regional work done by community development officers Becca Maxwell in Colorado and Kansas; Doris Ortiz in Arizona and New Mexico; Gloria Sanderson in Texas; and Kyle Stingley in national community development lending.
“Sunflower Bank and our community banking model are built on the foundation of knowing that our value and our goal is to create opportunities and programs that go beyond basic banking products and services,” said Sunflower Bank Executive Chair Mollie Carter. “We’ve expanded the Community Affairs Office to ensure we maintain the needed level of support for our communities and our local teams, as we continue to grow across our multi-state region.”
Spears joined the bank last year with more than a decade of experience managing Community Reinvestment Act-related work. “I am excited to be with Sunflower Bank and for the opportunity to lead this CRA program to become a best-in-class, industry model,” he said. “We have a long community history at Sunflower Bank and we will continue our efforts to ensure a strong connection across our footprint. Our community development officers are a driving force for these initiatives.”