FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 16, 2020) – Sanibel Captiva Community Bank was named a finalist for the 2020 Social Assurance Community Spark Awards for outstanding efforts in helping and improving the community. The bank is one of only 12 community banks and credit unions selected nationwide.
“We are honored to be selected as a finalist for this national award, especially as it represents our efforts in helping those around us,” said Amy McQuagge, vice president and director of marketing at Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. “We remain committed to supporting our community in both good times and bad. It is what we have done for 17 years, and we will continue to be a champion for the community we all love.”
For 17 years, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has supported over 300 not-for-profit community causes and organizations – from Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties and Blessings in a Backpack to The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools – through a combination of donations, pro bono work and volunteerism. More than 65 percent of employees are nonprofit volunteers, logging over 1,000 volunteer hours annually. Since opening in 2003, the bank has donated over $1.4 million dollars to local charitable causes.
As Southwest Florida faced the devastating effects of COVID-19, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank assisted businesses in critical need, processing over 750 Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loans. Totaling nearly $70 million, the loans helped save an estimated 9,000 jobs in Southwest Florida.
The bank also gifted $102,500 in charitable donations to help 12 local not-for-profit organizations serving children and feeding people that were in need due to the unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The financial gift supported The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, Blessings in a Backpack SWFL, Valerie’s House, PACE Center for Girls-Lee, The Heights Foundation, Hearts to Home, Senior Friendship Centers, American Legion Post 38, Children’s Education Center of the Islands, Sanibel Sea School and the Sanibel School Fund.
Recognizing the added hardship this pandemic has caused nonprofit organizations in fulfilling their missions, the bank donated 2,700 square feet of rent-free office space to the Southwest Florida Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack and the Southwest Florida Symphony.
Founded in 2003, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has two locations on Sanibel Island and six more locations throughout Lee County. The bank is nationally ranked in the top 2% best-performing community banks by S&P Global Market Intelligence out of more than 4,400 banks with assets under $1 billion. It is well-capitalized, with $560 million in total assets, and generates one of the highest returns on equity of all Florida banks. The bank employs 100 employees, and more than 40% are current shareholders.
About Social Assurance
Founded in 2011, Social Assurance provides marketing, sales, and community development software and solutions to help banks and credit unions do what they do best, support their community. Their software and solutions help financial marketers, compliance and supporting team members to create processes and workflows to manage marketing content and community involvement. The focus of the Community Spark Award stems from their community development software, Community Spark, which encourages and helps manage community involvement. For more information, visit www.socialassurance.com.