First Independence Bank Twin Cities donates ‘tools for school’ to hundreds of
south Minneapolis students
Parents, relatives, and caregivers receive backpacks, school supplies, and resources on building financial wellness
MINNEAPOLIS – (October 2, 2025) – Nearly 300 Minneapolis students – kindergarten through twelfth grade – are toting new backpacks filled with notebooks, rulers, pencils, crayons, pens and more – to school. Recently, parents, relatives and student caregivers lined up outside the First Independence Bank (FIB) Twin Cities home office located at 2217 E. Lake St. for the backpack and supplies giveaway.

“Students need backpacks and supplies to help them do their best in school, which is part of the foundation for a successful life,” said Damon Jenkins, senior vice president and regional market president for FIB Twin Cities. “As families walked through the doors, they had an opportunity to meet the staff, to learn about the bank and receive backpacks filled with supplies to help ensure a quality academic year.”

As the region’s first Black-owned bank and Minority Depository Institution (MDI), FIB Twin Cities is committed to addressing systemic inequities in financial access. According to research, access to banks and the essential services they provide to consumers and businesses is a vital part of wealth creation and a thriving local economy. Research also highlights that unequal access to wealth-building opportunities in certain communities can have devastating effects.

The FIB Twin Cities mission is to serve as a resource for financial education and economic opportunity for the community and has expanded to help create opportunities for small businesses, to help individuals and families achieve homeownership, grow personal wealth and achieve financial wholeness.

First Independence Bank Twin Cities has been serving customers in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota for three years. Watch for the new St. Paul branch located at 627 University Ave. W., in the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC).

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About First Independence Bank
First Independence Bank is the 7th largest Black-owned commercial bank in the United States. Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, with locations in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, it is a full-service bank offering account management, consumer education, mortgages, personal loans, and investments. First Independence Bank has online and mobile banking solutions. With 55 years in the industry, the bank continues to serve the financial needs of the community and its customers. First Independence Bank is a member of FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. For more information, visit http://www.firstindependence.com.

Media Contacts:
Amy Frantti
MRPP & Associates Communications
amybf@mrppcomms.com
(612) 432-5408

Marsha Pitts-Phillips, APR
MRPP & Associates Communications
marsha@mrppcomms.com
(612) 408-7828