Locus

Locus is a proud sponsor of the 2026 Southwest Virginia Economic Forum. At the event, Locus Relationship Manager Cindy Green will present the Sandy Ratliff Community Champion Award in honor of our late colleague, whose legacy continues to inspire meaningful, place-based work. 🎫 Tickets are still available. Register today to join regional leaders for a day of connection, insight, and community-focused conversation. Link below!

Founders First Capital Partners announced a $12M first close for its second Change Catalyst Fund, and we’re honored that Locus’ Community Investment Guarantee Pool (CIGP) is part of the catalytic capital helping make it possible. By using our guarantee to unlock institutional investment, Founders First is scaling non-dilutive, revenue-based financing for service-based small businesses that have too often been overlooked. This project demonstrates the systemic impact we aim to enable through CIGP: de-risking funds, crowding in capital, and expanding access to founder‑friendly growth financing that builds wealth and jobs. Read more in ImpactAlpha: https://lnkd.in/g25ZzH9C

Proud to see our own Bill Greenleaf representing Locus at DC Climate Week on the panel, “Financing Under Pressure: How to Fund High-Performance Buildings in a Constrained Capital Market.” The conversation highlighted the importance of partnerships for financing community energy projects. Thank you to Montgomery County Green Bank and the Institute for Market Transformation for organizing this important conversation, and to Rokas Beresniovas for moderating, alongside panelists Hana Freymiller of Climate First Bank and Anmol Vanamali of Maryland Clean Energy Center. As a proud sponsor, Locus is excited to be part of the dialogue driving innovative energy finance solutions forward. #DCClimateWeek.

We're proud to support the Mission Investors Exchange (MIE) National Conference, the premier gathering for leaders advancing #impactinvesting in #philanthropy. Held April 27-29 in Atlanta, MIE's 2026 National Conference will bring together over 700 foundations representatives, mission-driven asset owners, and partners to explore innovative investment strategies, forge new partnerships, and shape the field at a pivotal moment. Be sure to follow #MissionInvest2026 for more updates. 👉 If you're attending, let's connect! Drop us a comment below.

Locus is on the go! Natalie Davis recently represented Locus at the Southern Regional Housing Action Group meeting, which included insights from Chris McNamara of Virginia Housing, Ramona Chapman of Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and Delegate Eric J. Phillips (R–48th District). The group reflected on progress over the past year and shared a forward-looking vision for housing initiatives in Danville, Martinsville, and surrounding communities, focused on funding opportunities and impactful housing projects.

Locus Bank is proud to announce that we have received the highest possible rating, "Outstanding," in our 2025 Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Performance Evaluation by the Federal Reserve Board (FRB). This is our third consecutive Outstanding rating, reflecting sustained high performance in community development lending, investments, and services. The CRA is a federal law that encourages insured banks to help meet the credit needs of the communities they serve, including low‑ and moderate‑income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking practices.   The CRA evaluation reviews Locus Bank's community development loans, investments, and services in the Richmond and Blacksburg–Christiansburg–Radford metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), along with qualifying statewide and regional activities completed after meeting needs in our Virginia markets. Notable achievements that contributed to our Outstanding CRA rating include: 🔹 880 community development loans totaling $476.4 million, many involving innovative or complex financing structures not routinely provided by other lenders 🔹 $6.7 million in qualified community development investments and donations to mission‑aligned organizations 🔹 3,546 hours of community development service including leadership roles, financial expertise, and technical assistance - in support of affordable housing, community services, economic development, and revitalization Read the full press release here: https://shorturl.at/xwsHX

Our latest newsletter is out now. Learn more about Locus Bank's "outstanding" CRA rating, reflections on affordable housing in Virginia, a look at Capital Region SBDC's 2025 impact, and more! Check it out: https://shorturl.at/eWsN1

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much,” reflected keynote speaker John Graham, on the spirit of collaboration used to open the Appalachian Center for Hope. We are grateful to John Graham and to panelists Christine Mahoney, Mayana Rice, and Jonathan Sweet for their thoughtful perspectives on innovative, high‑impact rural development at Transformation Through Partnership: Southwest Virginia. Thank you to everyone who joined us in Pulaski to celebrate 20 years of Locus. This milestone is possible because of your partnership, vision, and support.

Tom Tom Festival, presented by the Tom Tom Foundation, is a nonprofit conference that unites more than 25,000 people in Charlottesville each year to explore the future of community. Its Innovation Summit convenes founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders to advance ideas that create measurable community impact. Building companies today requires not only strong products but also the ability to manage risk, attract and deploy capital, navigate uncertainty, and build durable support networks. Planning to attend? Join “Impact Investing in Virginia: Regenerative Agriculture, Main Street Lending, and Affordable Housing” on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 1 pm in the Common House North Room, featuring Locus Director of Investor Relations Lisa Pratt O'Mara. The session will begin with an overview of impact investing, defined as investments made to generate positive, measurable social or environmental outcomes alongside financial returns. #tomtomfestival

Proud to join the first meeting of CNote’s Impact Cash Advisory Council, alongside fellow community banks, for an honest conversation on deposit strategy, impact, and the future of community banking. We’re grateful to CNote and the council members for bringing together leaders closest to the communities we serve because true partnership creates the best solutions.