Savannah, GA – October 20, 2025

We’re pleased to announce that SBAC has been awarded a $10,000 community development grant from First Citizens Bank to support credit-building and start-up entrepreneurs. This new funding builds on our deep partnership and reinforces our shared mission to empower underserved business owners.
With this generous grant, SBAC will expand two critical programs:
- Our Credit Building Loan Educational Program: developed to help entrepreneurs establish or rebuild credit and gain the financial foundation they need.
- Our Loan Readiness Program: designed to assist start-up entrepreneurs in gaining access to capital and business education, particularly those traditionally underserved.
“These programs are at the heart of SBAC’s mission to foster economic development throughout Savannah and the surrounding region,” said Kassidy Jones, Director of Servicing and Technical Assistance. “The generous support from First Citizens Bank will allow us to expand our educational workshops and one-on-one counseling sessions—empowering more entrepreneurs to take control of their financial futures.”
As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since 1989, SBAC has provided financial and technical assistance across 53 counties in Southeast Georgia and six counties in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Over the past three decades, we’ve disbursed more than $205 million in financing, helping thousands of business owners start, grow, and sustain their ventures.
First Citizens Bank’s Community Development Grant program honors organizations making measurable impact in underserved communities, and SBAC’s mission towards stimulating economic development and serving entrepreneurs aligns tightly with that vision.
Thank you to First Citizens Bank for believing in our mission and for your valued partnership and commitment to supporting community initiatives. Your investment will help small business owners access vital resources and achieve their goals.





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