First Interstate Bank has selected Habitat for Humanity to receive the “Community Spirit Award,” an honor First Interstate received from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle that it has decided to share with a local non profit. First Interstate Bank received the 2009 award for exemplifying the spirit of community partnership in creating affordable housing and economic development opportunities. The award was granted in part due to First Interstate Bank’s extensive involvement in and promotion of the Federal Home Loan Bank’s Home$tart Program, which provides a match of three times a first-time home buyers savings, up to $5,000. First Interstate has helped numerous Habitat homeowners qualify for this program, which has significantly added to the required down payment Habitat home buyers are required to save.
The award comes with a $1,500 cash donation that will be used to fund Habitat’s Family Support program, a series which is aimed at informing buyers of the responsibilities associated with homeownership that they may not have encountered as renters. Future homeowners participate in workshops to learn skills ranging from financial management to home maintenance.
First Interstate Bank formally presented the donation to Habitat for Humanity on Thursday, December 17 during Habitat’s Christmas party, at the Habitat ReStore.
Habitat greatly thanks First Interstate Bank for their generosity.
