FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 7, 2009

Contact:      
David Valdez, VP Commercial Lending                   
(505) 995-1200

FHLB Dallas Awards Economic Development Grant to Santa Fe Business

DALLAS, TEXAS, August 7, 2009 –  The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas)  is pleased to announce it has awarded Land of Enchantment Mobile Home Supply a $6,750 economic development grant through Century Bank in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The grant was awarded under FHLB Dallas’s EDPPlus program, which operates through member financial institutions on a noncompetitive, first-come, first-served basis, and offers grant money in conjunction with a favorably priced loan for the development of local business in underserved or revitalized areas. An EDP loan was issued through Century Bank, allowing Land of Enchantment to qualify for the accompanying grant.

Land of Enchantment owner Danny Montoya said the grant was used to cover expansion costs.

“It’s going to help quite a bit because I had a little extra money, but the building itself is going to need more, so it will work out perfect for us,” Mr. Montoya said. “Once we get it all done, we can hire at least one or two more people.”

Mr. Montoya learned of the grant through Century Bank. More than $61,000 in EDPPlus grants have been issued through Century Bank to small businesses this year.

“We are committed to helping our small business customers.  The FHLB Dallas grants, combined with the Small Business Administration programs, are a great opportunity for qualified businesses.  It is truly a pleasure to assist and strengthen our communities,” says David Valdez, Vice President of Commercial Lending at Century Bank.

Land of Enchantment sells RV and mobile home supplies. Mr. Montoya started the company about 17 years ago after retiring from the state highway department.

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June 10, 2009

Contact:      
David Valdez, VP Commercial Lending                   
(505) 995-1200

Santa Fe Music Store Gets Boost From Economic Development Grant

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, June 10, 2009 –  For 40 years, Strings & Things has been a gathering place for local musicians in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  With the help of a $25,000 EDPPlus grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and an advance (loan) from Century Bank, the owners plan to take the business to a new level.

Strings & Things, now doing business as The Candyman Strings & Things, a full-line musical instruments store, was recently bought by former General Manager Rand E. Cook, and his wife, Cindy Cook.  The couple will use the EDPPlus grant to expand the business, picking up 4,000 square feet of space, expanding into woodwinds and brass winds, and opening a six-studio music education center.  The business also received an Economic Development Program (EDP) loan through Century Bank.

FHLB Dallas’s EDPPlus program operates through member financial institutions on a noncompetitive, first-come, first-served basis, and offers grant money in conjunction with a favorably priced loan for the development of local business in under-served or revitalized areas.

“Century Bank looks at every avenue of funding to maximize our service and commitment to small businesses,” said David Valdez, Vice President Commercial Lending.  “Our partnerships with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and the Small Business Administration work on many levels and ultimately stimulate our local economy by helping small businesses such as (The Candyman) Strings & Things.  It was our pleasure to work with everyone involved."

Mr. Cook says the EDPPlus grant has given the expanding business some breathing room.

“Essentially from the beginning, the grant gave us some peace of mind,” Mr. Cook said. “The bank account was padded so we didn’t have to be real worried about how much money was coming through the door. That has allowed us to start planning for our expansion in our future home.”

The business is planning a 40th anniversary celebration and grand reopening in September, at which time it plans to unveil a small coffee shop and community space.

“Taking the business model to the next level centers around community activity,” Mr. Cook said. “Music stores are a natural hangout. We wanted to really capitalize on that concept, and create a space where artists can share musical war stories and have a cup of coffee. The education side and community side are coming together.”

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April 21, 2009

Contact: 

Floyd Morelos
(877) 424-2828

Santa Fe Start-Up Gets Boost From Economic Development Grant

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, April 21, 2009 – Century Bank is pleased to announce it has awarded a $4,500 economic development grant to Guardian Angels Personal Care in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The $4,500 EDPPlus grant was made available to Century Bank by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.  Century Bank provided Guardian Angels Personal Care with a favorably priced advance, and was able to award the EDPPlus grant in conjunction with the loan.

Chip Chippeaux, Chairman of the Board stated, “Century Bank is delighted to support businesses like Guardian Angels Personal Care that are willing to lend a hand to individuals within our community.  Guardian Angels’ work reflects a dedication to people, relationships, and community that we are proud to be a part of.  Century Bank is committed to continuing efforts to meet the needs of small business customers.”

Guardian Angels Personal Care is a start-up home healthcare company that provides at-home caregivers for people who do not want to live in nursing homes.  The company opened in October 2008, and now has about a dozen employees, and is still growing.

Janice Ladnier, co-owner of the company, along with her daughter, Angela Melton, said she would use the grant funds to offset hiring costs, fund some promotional work and to help with closing costs.

“We are very, very grateful for this grant,” she said. “It’s been a real godsend and is really going to give us the breathing room that we need.”

About Century Bank

Established in 1887, Century Bank is a locally owned, locally managed, community bank that offers a full range of quality banking products and services to businesses and residents of New Mexico.  With six convenient branches located in Santa Fe, Espanola, and Albuquerque, Century Bank is dedicated to support the economic development of New Mexico.  For more information, visit the bank’s web site at centurynetbank.com.

About Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (Bank) is one of 12 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932.  The Bank, with total assets of $78.9 billion as of December 31, 2008, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to more than 900 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas.  For more information, visit the Bank’s web site at fhlb.com.