Wells Invests $100K in Ore. Community Development Bank

Wells Fargo & Co. marked its 145th anniversary last month by investing $100,000 in Albina Community Bank, a year-old community development bank serving north and northeast Portland.

The investment, which fulfilled part of Wells' 10-year, $45 billion community reinvestment commitment, is the first in Albina by a major financial institution. The new capital will enable Albina to make another $1 million in home and small-business loans to local residents and companies not qualified for loans from conventional banks or thrifts.

The capital injection brought Wells 10,000 shares in the tiny bank, which opened its doors in December 1995 after a $4.75 million private offering.

Albina began selling shares in a public offering last June, and it hopes to raise an additional $1 million through the sale of 100,000 shares before the offering closes at the end of April.

Albina has made more than $13.2 million in loans. It is one of only six community development banks in the country.

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