Our Community
First Eagle Bank’s continuing success is closely tied to the economic and financial health of the communities it serves. At First Eagle, we’re committed to the neighborhoods and businesses where we and our customers live and work.
We do this by putting our financial and human resources to work through direct financial support, partnerships, and volunteer resources. Our outstanding Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating was affirmed for the third consecutive exam. Given that only a limited number of banks share this rating, we are extremely proud of this accomplishment, which is a testament to our deep commitment to the communities we serve, including those underserved communities.
Throughout the Bank, staff remains community focused and actively involved in forming vital partnerships. These partnerships in turn foster a better understanding of the specific needs of the communities we serve, and in particular, those populations which are underserved.
 First Eagle Bank and the CHA |
First Eagle Bank and the CHAFirst Eagle supports it’s community by teaming up with Chicago nonprofits, like the Chicago Housing Authority, to create loan programs that provide underserved businesses with access to capital. Click here to see video of how one business has used this to go above and beyond. |
FEB and Southwest Organizing Project |
FEB and Southwest Organizing ProjectSouthwest Organizing Project (SWOP) is a broad-based organization of Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith institutions that improves Southwest Side neighborhoods block-by-block by rehabbing homes and deploying resources into the Southwest community. We’ve partnered with SWOP and Brinshore Development to bring financing to the areas that need it the most. |
CDFI Advisory Board |
CDFI Advisory BoardAs a dedicated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), First Eagle Bank is delighted to have a CDFI Advisory board with some of the most influential people in the Chicago community development world. Click here to read more about them. |
Non-for-Profit |
Assistance to Non-for-Profit OrganizationsFirst Eagle Bank is actively engaged with non-profit organizations serving Chicago and metro communities. Bank management and staff... |
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Build Each Other UpBuild Each Other Up (BEOU) is a not-for-profit organization that rehabs properties in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods and then sells these properties below the market values. In doing so, they provide families with affordable, well-built homes that they can be proud of. |
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2020 Community First Capacity Building Grants from FHLBCIn August 2020, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago announced the awardees of the Community First Capacity Building Grant. FEB sponsored the applications of two recipients—Accion Chicago and the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA). We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to continue support for these non-profits that are consistently deploying resources into the communities that need them the most. Read the press release from FHLBC for more information about the uses for the grant funds as well as a full list of recipients. |
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First Eagle Bank and DuPage Habitat for HumanityFirst Eagle Bank prides itself on establishing and maintaining long-term relationships with the organizations that work to give back to the communities that we serve. This holds especially true for DuPage Habitat for Humanity. FEB bolsters this relationship in two main capacities: volunteering and loan financing. |
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Mayor Lightfoot's Chicago Housing PledgeIn April of 2020, FEB was one of the first organizations to support Mayor Lightfoot and the Department of Housing by signing the Chicago Housing Solidarity Pledge. We're proud to do our part in bringing the City’s leading lenders and landlords together to address the unprecedented housing challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the press release outlining the details of the pledge. |
How One FEB Lender is Making a Difference with the JCUA |
How One FEB Lender is Making a Difference with the JCUAIn an effort to extend ourselves further into the community, FEB encourages every employee to participate with a non-profit organization. Zac Braun, Senior Vice President and one of FEB’s top lenders, has sat on the board of the JCUA for eight years and has had a profound impact on their progress as an organization. Click here to check out the JCUA’s video and to hear Zac talk about what the JCUA means to him. |
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As a certified Community Development Financial Institution...FEB is dedicated to making loans and providing financial assistance to the communities that need it the most. We're delighted to be recognized by the CDFI Fund for our efforts and to have earned a Financial Assistance award for 2019! Click here for more information about 2019 recipients.” |
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Illinois Business Daily recognizes...First Eagle Bank's "Outstanding" CRA rating from the feds. As one of only ten Chicago banks with the designation, FEB is unique in its dedication to community reinvestment. |
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Developer Plans 30 Houses on West SideIn December of 2019, First Eagle Bank finalized the financing for a project on the West Side. The project features the construction of 30 houses on the site of one of the 50 public schools that closed in 2014. The developer, Home&, will donate $5,000 to Chicago Public Schools from the proceeds of each home sold. Click here for more information on the project! |
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Facing Forward Financial Literacy WorkshopIn November 2019, First Eagle did a financial literacy presentation for Facing Forward residents which covered budgeting, saving, and building credit. The participants were actively engaged and excited to take part in the discussion and expressed interest in taking the steps to pursue financial literacy and its benefits. |
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The Illinois Bankers Association (IBA)...Presented the Illinois Bank Financial Literacy award to First Eagle Bank in Chicago. |
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First Eagle Bank is proud to have been honored as one of three 2015 Illinois Bank Community Service Award winners by the Illinois Bankers Association (IBA). |
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First Eagle Bank Reaches 48 Students through Online Financial Education ProgramTwo local elementary schools (Ontarioville and Parkwood) took advantage of the First Eagle Bank Financial Scholars Program, a free, online financial literacy program sponsored by First Eagle Bank, at no cost to the schools, during the 2015 fall semester. |
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The NCIF Network Banks: A Look at First Eagle Bank |
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Bank hosts finance courseMore than 350 Streamwood High School students have dedicated more than 2,240 hours this year to the First Eagle Bank Financial Scholars Program. |
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New CIC 1-4 loan fund creates more affordable housingIllinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel jointly announced the launch of Community Investment Corporation's new 1-4 Unit Rental Redevelopment Loan Program at an April community meeting in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood on the South Side. |
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Keeping Gen Y Workers HappyThere’s a kind of knee-jerk reaction to criticize the younger generation for its work habits. But they’re teaching us to bring more fun and balance to our work” Andy Salk of First Eagle Bank in Hanover Park |
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First Eagle earns CDFI certificationIn August 2010, First Eagle Bank became a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). As a CDFI bank, a status conferred by the US Treasury Department, we take great pride in serving individuals and businesses that live, work and invest in our targeted communities. The Bank is committed to meeting the financial needs of all members of our communities including those underserved by the mainstream financial institutions. First Eagle conducts a number of financial literacy programs throughout the year and offers incentive enhanced savings accounts to underserved and unbanked populations. More than fifty employees work at First Eagle Bank—many of whom have been with the Bank since its inception—with deep personal roots in the communities they serve. Our workforce also volunteers, providing financial and personal support to those in need. The CDFI designation is shared by only 85 banks nationwide. |
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Federal Home Loan Bank grantsAs a member of Federal Home Loan Bank, First Eagle Bank can access various Federal Home Loan Bank’s community investment programs such as DPP (Downpayment Plus Program) Advantage and the AHP (Affordable Housing Program) grant. This allows First Eagle to partner with local nonprofits, providing grant funds to low and moderate income families for downpayment or closing costs assistance. To date, First Eagle has assisted five area families in achieving homeownership. In addition, FEB sponsored a local nonprofit developer in obtaining a large affordable housing (AHP) grant. This grant will be used to provide direct downpayment subsidies for home purchases to ten low income families. For further information on DDP Advantage and AHP grant, visit www.fhlbc.com. |
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Skinner West School Field TripEach year, our West Loop location hosts a class of around 30 second graders from a local elementary school, Skinner West. They receive a bank tour and take part in a questions and answers session. The visit is fun for everyone and very informative for our little friends. Here are some of the thank you notes we've gotten. More pictures and thank you notes here. "Dear Cheri and Robert, Thank you for inviting us to come. I enjoyed seeing the valt. I was very curieus how much money there was. I learned a lot like how you are different from Chase. I like First Eagle Bank better than Chase. Just saying. Thank you. Sincerely, Alex." |
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Malcolm X CollegeTo assist first generation college students on the path to financial independence, First Eagle Bank has partnered with Malcolm X College and its Student Support Services Trio Center. By hosting an annual workshop entitled Pay Yourself First, which focuses on developing personal savings habits, First Eagle Bank is helping to promote financial literacy among these important consumers. The Bank has also developed specialized checking and savings products focused on young first time bank customers. |
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Partnering with ComEdFirst Eagle Bank has partnered with ComEd and its parent company Exelon to make a positive impact within our community. In addition to participating in Exelon Minority and Community Bank Credit Facility, First Eagle recently became part of ComEd’s new gift certificate pilot program. This program will benefit the community by providing our customers another way to pay for their energy bills. ComEd’s gift certificates come in $10, $25, $50 and $100 denominations and can be purchased at either First Eagle Bank location. For more information on this program, please visit ComEd’s website www.comed.com/gift. |
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First Eagle is an official Chicago Money Smart Week PartnerFirst Eagle Bank is proud to be a Chicago Money Smart Week (MSW) partner. First Eagle actively participates during the annual Money Smart Week campaign sponsored by the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank. MSW is a public awareness campaign design to help consumers better manage personal finances. Hundreds of organizations across Illinois and the Midwest join together annually to focus public attention on financial literacy, to inform consumers about where they can get help, and to provide free educational seminars and related activities throughout the week. Programming is offered to all demographics and income levels, covering all facets of personal finance from establishing a budget to first time homebuying to estate planning. For more info on the Money Smart Week, click here. |
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First Eagle hosts Financial Literacy WorkshopsFirst Eagle Bank is active throughout the Chicago land area holding financial literacy workshops that are designed to assist local low- and moderate-income individuals outside the financial mainstream enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships. Financial education fosters financial stability for individuals, families, and entire communities. The more people know about credit and banking services, the more likely they are to increase savings, buy homes, and improve their financial health and well being. Financial literacy workshops held by First Eagle Bank include: |
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Teen/Parent ConnectionBased in Glen Ellyn, IL this organization provides a variety of prenatal, birthing and parenting services and education to low and moderate home adolescent parents and their children in the Western suburbs. A First Eagle Bank officer led household budgeting classes as a part of the Bank's broader commitment to financial literacy. |
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Village of Hanover ParkIn partnership with the Village of Hanover Park, First Eagle held several financial literacy workshops. These workshops are designed to assist local residents understand the importance of budgeting on a reduced income, to prioritize spending habits and create a plan to reach personal financial goals. Useful tips and resources were reviewed with particular attention to the needs of senior citizens. |
