As a leader in community banking across six unique, diverse states, we take our responsibility to champion human dignity and equality seriously.
We stand with the growing throngs of voices calling for systemic change capable of rebalancing the scale of racial justice in our country. We must be undaunted and unafraid of taking an honest look at racism, bigotry, and inequality across all spectrums and experiences.
The civil unrest and frustration across our communities is palpable, and the continued injustice and prejudice endured by our black communities must stop. As companies, families, and individuals, we continue to look inward, asking ourselves what more we can do to support these efforts.
At First Interstate Bank, people are—and have always been—our number-one priority. While this commitment is unwavering, recent events have compelled us to elevate the focus of diversity and equality in the workplace. We will continue with strength in the areas of hiring, training, fair lending practices, and community development—our actionable pledge in response to the injustices experienced by George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others. While we are proud of our current approach and practices in these areas, we recognize there is always work to be done and are committed to starting new conversations with employees and clients.
With a desire for progress and the knowledge that there is no place for racism or inequality in our Company, we will continue taking steps we believe can help influence change. This is a journey, and we are committed to listening, learning, and doing our part to help push our country—and our Company—forward.