Armeer Kenchen (l) and Kristin Perkins joined a First Citizens Bank summit in Raleigh recently to tout our small business loan participation program, and afterwards Jim McDermott (r), a regional business executive with the bank, presented them the bank's Partnership Award to recognize the incredible work we do together. First Citizens has been one of the Rural Center's top collaborators in our loan participation program, which allows us to team up with banks and other lenders to offer better loans than they may otherwise receive. The program is targeted to people in underserved communities, including those in rural North Carolina. Thank you to First Citizens for your partnership and this special recognition. If you'd like to learn more about our lending programs, visit https://ow.ly/Vwip5102w9U #SmallBusiness #EconomicDevelopment #InvestInRural