Foundation News

In our inauguaral episode, host Ron Brooks, CRA Partners Vice President, Midwestern Region, interviews Brian Waters & Ben Loehle, Co-Founders of findCRA and discusses how their business came about, how they provide data and info to community bankers for managing CRA efforts, and CRA modernization.

Listen here:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1211591/4515032-july-2020-brian-waters-ben-loehle-co-founders-of-findcra

(Springfield, IL) July 9, 2020 – Today, Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI), through its business services subsidiary Community BancService Corporation, Inc (CBSC), just announced its endorsement of CRA Partners as a means to help reduce incidents of crime in area nursing homes, while offering banks the opportunity to earn CRA credit. CRA Partners is a subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA).

The Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation is a 501(c)(3), established in 2000 as a way for banks to earn Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit through CRA-qualified loans and investments. The structure of the SHCPF opens a segment of society to service by banks – the residents, family members and staff of nursing homes and senior HUD housing properties. Supporting low-to-moderate income Senior housing residents is an approved CRA activity designated by the federal regulatory agencies, allowing banks to receive CRA credit for supporting Foundation programs in nursing homes, HUD senior housing projects and the nation’s Veterans Nursing Homes. The focus of the SHCPF is to reduce all aspects of crime and provide ongoing, effective crime prevention programs that ensure a safe and secure environment for the residents of senior housing. In part, this is accomplished through the installation of the Senior Crime Stoppers Program.

“It’s fitting that Illinois banks be the leaders in this initiative to make a difference in the quality of life for nursing home residents, particularly in light of the economic impact the age 50+ group – the group with parents and grandparents in these facilities – has on society,” according to Shawn Davis, President, CNB Bank & Trust, N.A., and CBSC Board Chairman. “In doing so, our community bankers will demonstrate their understanding, sensitivity, and responsiveness to issues affecting this large and important group in our state. We invite and encourage all member banks to be a part of this initiative.”

“It’s a win-win proposition for everyone,” said CRA Partners CEO David Lenoir. “The banks receive a return on their investment while helping nursing home, HUD housing residents and elderly veterans live in safe, crime free environments. “

“My experience with this organization during the last several years has been wonderful. I especially enjoy our visits to the senior homes and witnessing the smiling faces of the residents.” John Eilering, President, Mount Prospect Bank, Glenview, IL (A branch of Glenview State Bank).

For more information about the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation or to enroll in the program, visit www.SHCPFoundation.org or contact Ron Brooks at the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation at (901) 500-7538.

Thanks to First Columbia Bank & Trust Co, the residents of the Emmanuel Center for Nursing & Rehab in Danville, Pennsylvania will live in a safer and even more secure environment. The bank recently joined with CRA Partners to help vulnerable seniors by funding the Senior Crimestoppers program to protect those who live and work in this local senior care facility.

CRA Partners, powered by the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation, is a national organization that guarantees banks federally mandated CRA credit through the operation of the turn-key Senior Crimestoppers program providing safe and secure living environments for our nation’s low to moderate income seniors. Through flexible funding options such as CRA- qualified community development loans, investments or grants, banks provide the program in senior housing facilities, HUD communities and state Veterans homes while garnering positive public relations exposure in their communities.

Crime against the elderly in our society is a longstanding, constant battle that can be reduced and prevented through the operation of the Senior Crimestoppers program in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Senior Crimestoppers is a coordinated set of components that work together to create a zero tolerance to crime platform in senior housing facilities. Components include cash rewards up to $1,000 paid anonymously for information about wrongdoing of any kind, personal lockboxes for the residents, and effective, on-going education and training for staff members and residents. Senior Crimestoppers has reduced all aspects of crime in participating facilities by 95%.

“Senior Crimestoppers is a way for an administrator to further enhance the lives of the residents they serve. They all work very hard to provide safe, secure, comfortable living environments and their desire to implement the program is just one more example of this. Implementing this program does not mean that the facility currently has a crime problem, but that the administrator is proactively finding a way to keep problems from occurring in the future,” said Terry Rooker, president of Senior Crimestoppers.

Lance Diehl, First Columbia President & CEO, offers additional perspective, “As a bank, we know firsthand the importance of ensuring the safety of consumers’ money and valuables. The physical lockboxes will provide residents of Emmanuel with even more security, and safety will be further enhanced with the additional education and information provided to residents, their loved ones, and employees. Helping everyone learn what to be on the lookout for in terms of scams and wrongdoing is essential and can stop potential crime before it occurs.”

About First Columbia Bank & Trust Co.

First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. has been a local community bank for more than 120 years. With $738.3 million in assets as of March 31, 2020, First Columbia offers a full complement of banking and financial services to individuals and businesses throughout Columbia, Montour, and Northumberland Counties and the surrounding area. The locally owned and managed bank operates fourteen branch offices in the communities of Benton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Buckhorn, Catawissa, Danville, Elysburg, Lightstreet, Orangeville, Millville, and Scott Township. Member FDIC

About the Senior Crimestoppers program

CRA Partners and Senior Crimestoppers are operated by the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation (SHCPF), headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The SHCPF mission is to provide protection and an enhanced quality of life for vulnerable senior housing residents through meaningful turnkey CRA compliance for community focused banks. Funded exclusively by the banking industry and endorsed by the ICBA and over 30 state bankers associations, the Foundation has developed a low-risk, profitable solution — CRA Partners — for banks of all asset sizes and charter types – to fulfill their federally mandated Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements in the form of qualified loans, investments or grants through the operation of the nationally acclaimed Senior Crimestoppers program. For more information about Senior Crimestoppers, visit SeniorCrimestoppers.org or call 800-529-9096.

The Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation (SHCPF) today announced that Community Capital Management, Inc. (CCM), a leading impact and CRA investment firm, has committed $100,000 to SHCPF to support senior housing facilities with COVID-19 relief efforts in South Florida; Boston, MA; and Bergen County, NJ.

David Lenoir, SHCPF president & CEO said, “We are incredibly grateful to CCM for their generosity at this critical time. The senior housing facilities that we serve need help more than ever with the elderly being disproportionately affected by COVID-19.”

One of the immediate ways senior facilities will benefit from this funding is the rapid, remote deployment of Senior Sentry^TM online video training. The training educates healthcare staff and caregivers on ways to protect seniors from online scammers and fraud like many that have arisen as a result of COVID-19. Other ways senior facilities will benefit from funding include purchases of PPE, cleaning, and sanitary supplies, as well as items like toilet paper, shampoo, pet food and other necessities that food stamps do not cover. Some facilities are even purchasing ipads so that residents can remain connected to loved ones while visitation is restricted.

“CCM has worked with SHCPF for nearly 10 years and their support and expertise in helping seniors is unparalleled,” said Alyssa Greenspan, president and COO of CCM. “In looking at ways our organization could support seniors with COVID-19 relief efforts, we knew that SHCPF would be a perfect partner and we are honored to be able to support their initiatives in helping the elderly.”

“The facilities in our program are facing unprecedented challenges, but the response from the banking and financial communities has been amazing,” said Terry Rooker, president of Senior Crimestoppers. “Community banks have pulled together in order to help our neighbors and our banking industry partners are leading the way and showing us all how to be good neighbors in response to the COVID-19 crisis.”

“This program is absolutely amazing and we feel grateful and honored to be part of the initiative” said Jeremy Frehner, administrator at Seasons Health & Rehabilitation in St. George, UT. “Our seniors are our top priority and we need to ensure they are well-cared for during this time of crisis.”

Learn more at: https://www.seniorcrimestoppers.org/how-to-help-local-seniors-fight-covid-19-virus-scams/

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CRA Partners and Senior Crimestoppers are operated by the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation (SHCPF), headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.  For two decades, the SHCPF mission is to provide protection and an enhanced quality of life for vulnerable senior housing residents through meaningful, turnkey CRA compliance for community focused banks, nationwide.

Funded by the banking industry and endorsed by the ICBA and over 30 state bankers associations, the Foundation has developed a low-risk, profitable solution — CRA Partners — for banks of all asset sizes and charter types – to fulfill their federally mandated Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements in the form of qualified loans, investments or grants through the operation of nationally acclaimed elder abuse and crime prevention programs. For more information, visit shcpfoundation.org or call 800-529-9096.

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Community Capital Management, Inc.

Community Capital Management, Inc. (CCM) is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale with employees in Boston, Charlotte, the New York City area, and Southern California, CCM was founded in 1998 and manages approximately $2.8 billion in assets.  The firm believes a fully integrated portfolio – one that includes environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors – can deliver strong financial performance while simultaneously having positive long-term economic and sustainable impact.  For more information, please visit: www.ccminvests.com.

From: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus

Fraud Alert: Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams.

• Be cautious of unsolicited healthcare fraud schemes of testing and treatment through emails, phone calls, or in person.  The U.S. have medical professionals and scientist working hard to find a cure, approved treatment, and vaccine for COVID-19. Learn more about what to avoid
• Be the lookout for an increase in cryptocurrency fraud schemes including but not limited to blackmail attempts, work from home scams, paying for non-existent treatments or equipment, or investment scams. Read more on how to report these scams
• Be wary of unsolicited telephone calls and e-mails from individuals claiming to be IRS and Treasury employees.  Remember IRS first form of communications is by mail – not by phone.  Learn more about fraudulent schemes related to IRS

Criminals will likely continue to use new methods to exploit COVID-19 worldwide. Stay alert and stay informed about common fraud schemes related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Find out more about types of scams.

If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at [email protected]

Many thanks to the South Dakota Bankers Association for coverage on this important topic in their April issue of SDBANKER. Read the article HERE about new tools that help to protect senior citizens from fraud, scams, and other types of abuse. This is especially timely in light of the many new scams targeting the elderly with fraudulent testing and treatments for COVID-19.

Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus.

Here are some tips recently published by the FTC to help you keep the scammers at bay:

• Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls, instead.
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores. At this time, there also are no FDA-authorized home test kits for the Coronavirus. Visit the FDA to learn more.
• Fact-check information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you pass on any messages, contact trusted sources. Visit What the U.S. Government is Doing for links to federal, state and local government agencies.
• Know who you’re buying from. Online sellers may claim to have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and health and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t.
• Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government. The details are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
• Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
• Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
• Additional Resources are being continually updated at this site (ftc.gov/coronavirus)

As America’s population ages, the problem of elder financial abuse is growing. We are proud to announce two new ways for banks to get involved in protecting vulnerable senior citizens in their local communities.

Our two new offerings, Senior Sentry^TM and Senior Secure^TM build on the widely adopted Senior Crimestoppers^® program to address the needs of seniors in communities big and small. Senior Crimestoppers^® is a nationwide crime prevention and education program, powered by the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation. This year, we are celebrating our 20^th anniversary of providing safety & security to senior citizens with the Senior Crimestoppers^® program. Over 200 banks currently support the protection of 100,000 seniors and earn CRA credit through their sponsorship.

Responding to feedback from bankers and healthcare administrators that elder financial abuse is a primary concern, we’ve created an educational tool, Senior Sentry^TM, to educate and train healthcare staff and caregivers at local senior housing facilities to detect the signs of and to prevent financial abuse of those they care for.

“Banks already have access to training materials on financial abuse for their own employees. The gap is in training for those that have the closest contact with America’s elder population, housing facility staff members,” said Terry Rooker, President of Senior Crimestoppers. “Facilities administrators appreciate having a resource like this that adds a level of security to their residents.”

Senior Sentry^TM is a dynamic educational and training video that covers topics like how to avoid email and phone scams, warning signs of abuse, and what to do if abuse is suspected. It is full of helpful resources to ensure that no one in their golden years is deprived of what they’ve spent a lifetime saving.

Senior Secure^TM is a more robust program for senior housing facilities that includes the educational component, facility signage plus a toll-free, anonymous tip line with rewards offered for information regarding elder abuse.

“We developed the Senior Secure^TM program for banks that truly believe in and support our mission, but are not yet the size at which they are examined for CRA compliance,” said David Lenoir, President & CEO of CRA Partners. “These two new programs are a great compliment to our flagship Senior Crimestoppers^® program. It makes it possible for more banks to get involved with the senior citizens in their local communities. This is increasingly important to bankers as the average age of Americans continues to rise.”

The response from family members of residents and staff at senior housing facilities that already offer protections like these has been tremendous. Expressing her gratitude for the bank and Senior Crimestoppers, Shelly Fuller of Bayshore Towers in Pasadena, TX said “On behalf of Bayshore Towers’ senior residents, I want to thank you for your support and partnership with us as we provide a safe community.”

For more details, see https://www.seniorcrimestoppers.org/senior-secure/ and https://www.seniorcrimestoppers.org/senior-sentry/

The Mississippi Bankers Association discusses CRA modernization in the latest issue of their publication. The article quotes our CEO, David Lenoir.

https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/1674/cra_article.pdf

The Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation is pleased to announce our relationship with the Indiana Healthcare Association. Their backing of Senior Crimestoppers – a multi-faceted, nationally acclaimed crime prevention program helping to prevent abuse, neglect, theft, vandalism, substandard care, fraud and any unethical behavior – will help bring safety and security to seniors in the Hoosier state. The program covers not only vulnerable seniors but employees, family members, and even visitors in Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes, assisted or independent living communities, HUD subsidized elderly apartments or any State Veterans Homes across the country.  Senior Crimestoppers protects over 100,000 senior residents nationwide. We are delighted to be named as an endorsed partner.

The Senior Crimestoppers program includes a coordinated set of components that work together to prevent and resolve crime.  Having the program in place has deterred incidents from occurring and most facilities have become members of the program not because they have problems, but because they wish to prevent problems from taking root.  The proven program and its components improve a residents’ overall quality of life.

Since its inception, the total number of crime incidents at participating facilities has been reduced by over 95%.