Wells Fargo Grants Put “Hope” In Small Business Success

Wells Fargo’s head of small business banking, Derek Ellington, shares how the “Hope, USA” grant program and the Open for Business Fund are investing in small businesses to promote economic growth. As the “Hope, USA” initiative helps beautify 16 community business corridors across the country, the Open for Business Fund is investing some $420 million in programs to help support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear more about these new programs, and the opportunities Derek sees for business owners to access banks and bankers for ongoing advice.

Topics include:

2:18 - Derek's role at Wells Fargo
3:42 - Is it a good time to be a small business?
6:14 - What red flags could hamper SMBs from accessing traditional bank loans?
10:06 - Goals of the Hope USA initiative to transform select shopping districts
13:23 - Hope USA partners applicants with a local nonprofit
15:06 - Open for Business Fund also supports SMBs
19:48 - Bankers can support SMBs with regular dialogue, networking introductions, more
24:09 - Why has Wells Fargo launched this initiative?

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