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The Hidden Cost of Disaster Relief: How Disasters Strain Local Economies
When disaster strikes—be it a hurricane, flood, wildfire, or tornado—the physical damage is obvious: homes reduced to rubble, businesses shuttered, and entire communities uprooted. But beyond the wreckage lies an often-overlooked reality: the lasting financial toll on local economies, especially in underserved or rural areas. Disaster relief isn’t just about rebuilding—it’s about economic resilience, and…
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From Community Investment to Disaster Resilience: David Parker’s Journey of Entrepreneurship and Impact
Growing Up in Summerville: The Roots of Innovation David Parker’s journey from small-town Summerville to running a thriving business is rooted in his hard work, ingenuity, and the unwavering support of his community. Growing up, he wasn’t just a curious child—he was a natural problem-solver. Raised on a family farm, David learned early that when…
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From Idle to Impactful: How Foundations Can Put Their Cash to Work for Good
Across the United States, foundations play a pivotal role in addressing society’s most pressing challenges. Yet, while their grantmaking programs drive meaningful change, a powerful opportunity often sits unnoticed on the sidelines: idle cash reserves. These funds, typically held in low-yield money market accounts or traditional banks, are crucial for liquidity and operational needs—but they…
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CNote CEO Cat Berman Wins Treasury Today’s Leading Light Award
May 8, 2025 – CNote, a financial technology platform focused on community investment, is proud to announce that its Co-Founder and CEO, Cat Berman, has been named the 2025 Leading Light Award winner by Treasury Today’s Women in Treasury Awards. The Leading Light Award is one of Treasury Today’s most prestigious honors, celebrating individuals who…
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Expanding Access to Pediatric Care: How Samuel Rodgers Health Center and Central Bank of Kansas City Are Building a Healthier Future
In Kansas City’s most low-income neighborhoods, families face growing barriers to accessing consistent, high-quality healthcare—especially for children covered by Medicaid. For decades, Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (Sam Rodgers) has been a cornerstone of care for the community, offering comprehensive health services to patients regardless of income, insurance status, or background. In 2024 alone, the…
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Celebrating Our Journey: A Year of Innovation & Inspiration
This week marks another birthday for CNote—and with it, a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, the momentum we’ve built, and where we’re heading next. From an early vision of financial innovation for good, CNote has grown into a trusted platform for values-aligned investing—serving institutional and individual clients, expanding our suite of products,…
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Social Determinants of Health and Community Finance
By Tamra Thetford The social determinants of health (SDOH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They include the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and they shape overall well-being just as much—if not more—than medical care. Community Financial Institutions address the social determinants of health by investing in…
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How One CDFI Credit Union Is Helping Families Avoid Foreclosure and Stay in Their Homes
When a Crisis Hit, a Mission-Driven Financial Institution Stepped In The pandemic disrupted lives across the world—and for Christine V., it was the spark that set off a chain of challenges. She lost her job, her kids got sick, and over time, she found herself more than $33,000 behind on her mortgage payments. On the…
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Are Corporations Leaving Money on the Table by Overlooking Community Banks?
In today’s economic climate, uncertainty is a given. Interest rates are fluctuating, markets are shifting, and corporate finance teams are being asked to do more with less—while still preserving capital, ensuring liquidity, and managing risk. In times like these, the way companies manage their cash matters more than ever. Many corporations are reevaluating their treasury…
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Why Geography Matters: Rethinking Where You Bank
When most people think about where to keep their money, they focus on interest rates, digital convenience, or brand familiarity. Rarely do we consider geography — the physical location of a bank or credit union — as an important factor in that decision. But geography plays a surprisingly powerful role in how your money is…
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