As a commercial bank, we recognize the unique challenges small businesses face and we strive to help them succeed and promote financial inclusion. This is why in 2021, we provided more than $350 million in loans to small businesses.
As a commercial bank, we recognize the unique challenges small businesses face and we strive to help them succeed and promote financial inclusion. This is why in 2021, we provided more than $350 million in loans to small businesses.
As of December 31, 2021, we’ve originated over 14,000 loans amounting to over $746 million, providing much-needed support to small business owners across our three operating regions.
Providing access to affordable housing is critical to the stability of families and individuals. That's why we are committed to always striving to finance reasonable housing units to the extent possible. In 2021, we originated more than 1,200 loans totaling $187 million in federal mortgage guarantee programs.
For more than ten years, we have supported Habitat for Humanity Puerto Rico, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families. We focus our support on housing construction and rehabilitation projects, such as the "Un Toque de Cariño" program, and on providing construction job training to women through the "Women Who Build" program.
$199.3 million in loans
As of December 31, 2021, we had 54 community development loans in circulation, for a total of $199.3 million in all regions where we operate. As of the same date, total qualified investments under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Program were approximately $192 million.
$1 million in donations
Including approximately $673,000 in donations under the CRA, to over 130 non-profit organizations.
As of December 31, 2021, we’ve originated over 14,000 loans amounting to over $746 million, providing much-needed support to small business owners across our three operating regions.
Providing access to affordable housing is critical to the stability of families and individuals. That's why we are committed to always striving to finance affordable housing units to the extent possible. In 2021, we originated more than 1,200 loans totaling $187 million in federal mortgage guarantee programs.
For more than ten years, we have supported Habitat for Humanity Puerto Rico, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families. We focus our support on housing construction and rehabilitation projects, such as the "Un Toque de Cariño" program, and on providing construction job training to women through the "Women Who Build" program.
$199.3 million in loans
As of December 31, 2021, we had 54 community development loans in circulation, for a total of $199.3 million in all regions where we operate. As of the same date, total qualified investments under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Program were approximately $192 million.
$1 million in donations
Including approximately $673,000 in donations under the CRA, to over 130 non-profit organizations.
INprende
FirstBank and INprende have impacted over 330 entrepreneurs through our virtual program. The virtual program topics included: business leadership in times of pandemic, successful business operation, marketing in times of pandemic, protection of finances, and ensuring continuous success in your company.
GFR Media and SOMOS Puerto Rico
Also in 2021, we partnered with one of Puerto Rico's leading media conglomerates and its SOMOS initiative, a community outreach program to promote economic and social development by offering seminars to small and medium-sized businesses throughout the Island's municipalities.
Grupo Guayacán and EnterPRize
We support Grupo Guayacán, Inc., a private sector-driven non-profit organization whose mission is to foster, promote, and develop private equity in Puerto Rico. Through their EnterPRize business-building competition, they provide startups with access to workshops, mentoring, and equity-free seed capital. In 2021, FirstBank continued to support this initiative by providing grants to competing participants.
Our Corporate Social Responsibility Program, “One with the Environment,” promotes ecological conservation and protection of natural resources.
Our efforts are focused on three main categories: reforestation, recycling, and energy management.
Our Corporate Social Responsibility Program, “One with the Environment,” promotes ecological conservation and protection of natural resources.
Our efforts are focused on three main categories: reforestation, recycling, and energy management.
Granting $10,000 to Friends of El Yunque Foundation, an organization that focuses on the preservation of the only tropical rainforest managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Developing an alliance with Agrochic, a blog and podcast in Puerto Rico that supports environmental well-being, and promotes educational content through our social media channels.
Supporting our main reforestation initiative, “Crece Verde,” established in 2010, which has distributed approximately 33,400 trees impacting approximately 136 communities across various municipalities in Puerto Rico.
Granting $25,000 to support the conservation and rehabilitation of the San Patricio Urban Forest, located between the San Juan and Guaynabo municipalities in Puerto Rico.
Recycling and shredding over 1,090 metric tons of paper, which translates into the following benefits:
5,659 metric tons of CO2 emissions avoided
28,834 trees preserved
Pounds of paper recycled and shredded
1 Million pounds
Recycled electronic and mobile equipment through Dona tu Celu program
13,500 units
We strive to be recognized as a leading diversified financial institution that offers a superior customer and employee experience. We believe that the key to our success is to take care of our employees as much as we take care of our customers. Our goal is to be an employer of choice within our operating regions, which we believe is achieved and maintained by adding value to our employees' lives and providing a rewarding and evolving work experience. The heart of our employer value proposition, "The Experience of Being 1," encompasses our commitment to the well-being, success, professional development and work environment of our employees.
We strive to be recognized as a leading diversified financial institution that offers a superior customer and employee experience. We believe that the key to our success is to take care of our employees as much as we take care of our customers. Our goal is to be an employer of choice within our operating regions, which we believe is achieved and maintained by adding value to our employees' lives and providing a rewarding and evolving work experience. The heart of our employer value proposition, "The Experience of Being 1," encompasses our commitment to the well-being, success, professional development and work environment of our employees.
We strive to be recognized as a leading diversified financial institution that offers a superior customer and employee experience. We believe that the key to our success is to take care of our employees as much as we take care of our customers. Our goal is to be an employer of choice within our operating regions, which we believe is achieved and maintained by adding value to our employees' lives and providing a rewarding and evolving work experience. The heart of our employer value proposition, "The Experience of Being 1," encompasses our commitment to the well-being, success, professional development and work environment of our employees.
Nearly half of our employees have worked with the Corporation for more than 10 years. We value our employees’ engagement as evidenced by the long tenure of our workforce.
Over 20% of our workforce benefited from our Employee Assistance Program, which is available to all employees 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Are women
Are women in managerial positions
Are women in the executive leadership team
Through the Corporation's employee program, known as SOY FirstBank, we aim to support and reinforce our commitment to our communities. In the last three years, our employees have donated over 4,800 hours of volunteer work.
In the last two years, our financial literacy program provided 465 activities across the regions in which we operate, assisting more than 9,500 individuals of all ages, enhancing their financial skills.
As part of our commitment, we have developed the Community Investment and Development Fund (CIDF). The CIDF focuses on two areas of investment: the Community Reinvestment Program and the Corporate Social Responsibility Program.
The Community Reinvestment Program focuses exclusively on initiatives that meet the requirements of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The Program aims to serve low or moderate-income individuals, families, and communities in our areas of operation. Our priority under this program is to contribute to projects and initiatives that are developed and managed by non-profit organizations, or through partnerships between the public and private sectors, and non-profit organizations.
Under the program, the areas of interest are:
Financial education and knowledge
Housing and economic development
Social and community development
Revitalization of the environment and the community
We will accept CDIF financing applications based on program criteria. Click here to complete the Donation Application and send it to:
Community Reinvestment Program