Hillis Schild

The designation as a Community Development Entity opens the door for individual and corporate investors through the federal New Markets Tax Credits Program. read more >

Hillis Schild, who directs the Little Rock-based fund, will serve as the advisory board's chair. read more >

The interactive free platform, EmpowerED, is available in English and Spanish and offers a library of learning topics around important personal financial education concepts. read more >

The program offers loans, lines of credit and lending-related financial education to small business customers that fall just below existing bank credit requirements. read more >

Since May 2022, the fund has provided loans and lines of credit to businesses that fall just short of Arvest Bank’s business loan requirements. read more >

The Arvest Opportunity Fund provides loans and lines of credit to small business that fall just below bank loan policy requirements. read more >

During federal fiscal years 2017-20, Arkansas lenders made more than $658 million loans through the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) program. Of that total, only about $10 million or 1.5% went to Black-owned businesses in the state. read more >

Minorities and women do not have the same access to capital as their white male counterparts, a systemic issue that can be addressed, a panel of Arkansas bank leaders and a small-business owner says. read more >

Hillis Schild has been promoted to community and business relationship manager by Arvest Bank in Little Rock. read more >