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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2013

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Otis C. Monroe, III

CEO

The Monroe Foundation

(773) 315-9720

omonroe@themonroefoundation.org

www.themonroefoundation.org

                         City of Chicago Treasurer Stephanie D. Neely Accepts "Bank on Chicago" Award from the Monroe Foundation and Community Banking Leaders

City of Chicago Stephanie D. Neely (middle) accepts the "Bank on Chicago" award from the Monroe Foundation and community reinvestment leaders of the Community Reinvestment Organizing Project (COP) and the P.A.C.T Project (Partnership Assisting Community Transformation) during the September 7th CRA Report Card on which bank have and not responded to a recent survey on which institutions are working in the community and economic development interests of the African American and Hispanic communities. Urban Partnership Bank received a "FAILED"   grade from the coalition for not responding to the coalition's survey for the second year.

The CRA Report Card is a community grading of what banks are doing or NOT doing, as assessed by community groups by evaluating their attempts to engage specific financial institutions that are CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) regulated. The 2013 CRA Report Card will be released under seperate announcement.

First Midwest Bank received "CRA Partner of the Year" award, along with banking institutions that were recognized for working with the COP and P.A.C.T coalitions for economically empowering almost 1,000 families to move away from currency exchange and alternative financial services. Additionally recognized banks include: Marquette Bank, Guaranty Bank, Citibank and PNC Bank.

PICTURED RIGHT Mark Allen, chairman, National Black Wall Street -Chicago, Rev Anibal Vega, Executive Director, Center for Community Development Initiatives, Clotiel Cameron, Executive Director, Teach Them How, City of Chicago Treasurer Stephanie D Neely (middle), Manny Jimenez, Marquette Bank, Paul A. Labonne, PNC Bank and Board Chairman, the Monroe Foundation, Otis C. Monroe, III, CEO, the  Monroe Foundation and Phillip Jackson, Executive Director, the Black Star Project.

The Community Reinvestment Organizing Project is funded by a grant from the Woods Fund of Chicago

The P.A.C.T. has been funded by a grant from the Field Foundation of Illinois