Investment in American Pride Bank will support fair access to homeownership and job creation needed to achieve the American Dream

CLEVELAND, OH, April 02, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — The Mission Driven Bank Fund (MDBF) today announced an investment in American Bancorp Inc., the bank holding company for American Pride Bank, a Minority-Depository Institution (MDI) providing financial services to underserved communities in Georgia and across the U.S. The investment adds to the Fund’s growing portfolio of mission-aligned banks receiving capital and technical services tailored to their needs.

American Pride Bank plans to use the capital to expand homeownership and small business opportunities in low- and moderate-income communities. This includes launching a mortgage division specializing in innovative products, while also expanding its real estate, small business, and consumer lending activities. Currently, most of the bank’s loans are to businesses in low- and moderate-income communities, with nearly three-quarters going to members of racial or ethnic minority groups.

“We can’t wait to put this capital to work in neighborhoods across America,” said Dominik Mjartan, CEO of American Bancorp Inc. and its subsidiary, American Pride Bank. “Our goal is to ensure everyone has access to the products and services they need to achieve their American Dream. Too often, ambitious, high-potential people and places are overlooked and underserved. We’re grateful to the Fund for their partnership in closing those gaps.”*

The investment marks the eighth deployment for MDBF. The Fund is raising capital through May 2025, and will continue to invest in mission-aligned banks for years to come.

“The Fund is pleased to partner with American Pride Bank to support their recent receipt of the MDI designation,” said Paul Welch, portfolio manager of the Fund. This investment is another example of how the Fund’s commitment to building long-term bank partnerships contributes to a more inclusive banking system.”

About The Mission Driven Bank Fund
The Mission Driven Bank Fund seeks to foster a stronger and more inclusive banking system by investing capital and providing technical services to CDFIs and MDIs that target African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander communities. The Fund’s mission is to drive significant growth and financial resiliency in the mission-driven bank sector that translates into demonstrated progress in closing the racial wealth gap. Elizabeth Park Capital Management, a specialist firm investing in U.S. banks, and Calvert Impact, a leading impact investing firm, are the Fund’s general partner. Strategic Value Bank Partners is a subadvisor, and Performance Trust is a capital advisor and structuring agent for the Fund. For more information, visit https://www.missiondrivenbankfund.org.

About American Pride Bank
American Pride Bank is a community bank founded in 2007 by first-generation Americans and entrepreneurs to ensure that everyone has access to the financial products and services needed to achieve their American Dream. The bank specializes in high-touch, flexible bank solutions that create pathways for generational wealth-building and business success. Through responsive financial services, American Pride Bank helps small business owners and communities thrive. We take pride in seeing our customers succeed and knowing we played a part in their journey. At American Pride Bank, your success is our pride. For more information, visit https://www.americanpride.bank

* The above endorsement (the “Endorsement”) was given by a person other than a current client or investor. It is the Mission Driven Financial Institutions Fund, L.P.’s (“MDBF”) knowledge and belief, no additional compensation is being provided or received in connection with such Endorsement, nor is MDBF aware of any conflicts of interest associated with such Endorsement.

This press release does not constitute an offering of interests in the Fund, which will be made only to qualified investors pursuant to the Fund’s offering documents. Nothing contained in this press release should be relied upon as a promise or representation as to the future performance of the Fund. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy of statements, estimates, targets, and/or projections herein, nor as to the ultimate success of the Fund or the external conditions and circumstances under which the Fund will operate. Prospective investors must not rely upon any matters in this release. The activities undertaken by the Fund may differ from those described above due to unexpected external circumstances or otherwise. Moreover, past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.

Certain statements made in this release are “forward looking statements.” These forward-looking statements are not predictions of future performance, conditions or results, and are inherently uncertain and subject to numerous risks, many of which are outside the Fund’s and its advisors’ control. There is no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements.

Any testimonials included herein are being provided by Fund investors, and any endorsements included herein are being provided by persons other than Fund investors. No compensation was provided for any testimonial or endorsement. There is a conflict of interest in that certain of these testimonials and endorsements are being provided by persons affiliated with the Fund.

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