Banks Catering to Women Business Owners

Some of what we do at Isaac Business Services includes connecting our business clients with the right resources. Most times this includes having them meet their local bankers to start developing meaningful relationships. Naturally, this involves us staying abreast of local banking news, as well as networking with bankers.

In the past couple of years in working with business women, we have run across some resources targeted to business women and I thought I'd share a couple with you.

Most banks are now specializing services for women business owners but take a look at two uniquely packaged programs offered by banks for women in business:

• Key4Women®: Services offered by Key Bank. Key4Women® is a club established for women business owners who bank with Key Bank. The club has its location in Albany, Ohio but meets frequently in different cities to help foster relationships among women. Women are assigned special bankers who help them build and develop their businesses. Key Bank has also had a goal of lending a few million to women business owners and have exceeded their goal. "In April 2007, Key announced that it would lend $2 billion to women-owned businesses over a five year period. As of April 2009, Key has surpassed its goal, three years ahead of schedule, and is committed to lending another $3 billion by 2012. This is the second time that Key has exceeded its goal for lending to women-owned businesses. In 2005, the bank pledged $1 billion to women-owned businesses and surpassed that number in 2007". You can learn more about the club at https://www.key.com/html/women-owned-business.html
  
• WEDO®: Banking services for women provided through National City Bank/PNC Bank. Women’s Economic Development Outreach, is a coalition of business experts working in collaboration to provide resources that help women owned and managed businesses flourish. Established in 2002 with key support from women business advocates at National City, the organization partners with the public and private sectors to provide support for women business owners. WEDO also has yearly tours that highlight great speakers with great resources for women owned businesses. To learn more, visit their website at https://www.nationalcity.com/wedo/default.asp?WT.svl=1

If you know of any other great resources for women business owners, please leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.

About the Author: Cheryl Isaac is the writer of this blog and a Startup Business Consultant & Owner of Isaac Business Services, an agency that offers startup concierge & business planning services for small businesses (http://www.isaacbusinessservices.com/)