Neighborhood Banking
Neighborhood Banking Resource Center
Welcome to the Neighborhood Banking Resource Center! We know life’s best moments can come with financial challenges. We’re here to help – whether that’s information, advice or resources to help get you what you need.
At Commerce, we’re committed to the role we play in serving our communities. Our community involvement, inclusion and diversity initiatives, and sustainability efforts are evidence of our commitment to meeting people where they are, learning about their needs and building strong and lasting relationships.
Some ways we help in our communities:
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Advocating for the addition of affordable housing options
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Enabling non-profits to provide needed services
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Helping entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses
Commerce’s social responsibility.
How can we help you?
Here are a few tools and resources to meet some of the common milestones on your financial journey.
Challenge Accepted.®: Managing money
Learning to manage money is the foundation for all your other financial goals. We’re here to help with budgeting tips and banking solutions that make money management easier for you.
RESOURCES:
Budgeting Basics
Preparing for the Unexpected
SOLUTIONS:
Commerce Free Checking – a no-fee checking account for daily money management
mySpending Card® – a prepaid card to help you avoid overspending
Mobile Banking and Account Alerts – to help you keep track
myRewards Savings – to build your nest egg
Challenge Accepted.®: Improving your credit
Challenge Accepted.®: Safe, affordable housing
Stable housing supports stable families. Learn about becoming a homeowner.
RESOURCES:
The true cost of home ownership
How to determine the right mortgage for you
Crushing on a house? How to tell if it’s true love
Smart steps for homebuyers
SOLUTIONS:
Neighborhood Connection™ Home Loan1 – Borrowers in low- and moderate-income census tracts can borrow up to 100% loan-to-value (LTV)2 to purchase or refinance the existing balance on their mortgage, depending on credit score.3 Eligible borrowers receive $5,000 grant7 toward closing costs and down payment4.
Neighborhood Connection™ Home Loan and Neighborhood Connection™ Budget Booster™ Loan provide flexible credit guidelines:
- Minimum FICO® score above 5803
- Minimal late payment history acceptable5
- Satisfactory employment history
Neighborhood Connection™ Budget Booster™ Loan1 – Offers borrowers in low- and moderate-income census tracts up to 105% LTV2 financing for consolidating debt, home improvements and repairs, depending on credit score.6
Other affordable housing financing options include zero down payment, FHA Fixed Rate Loan, VA Fixed Rate Loan, USDA Rural Housing Loan and Fannie Mae HomeReady®. Ask your Commerce Bank Mortgage Banker for information about these programs.
Down payment assistance may be available to eligible borrowers through Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Home$tart®, Neighborhood Connection™ grant or Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) for Missouri properties, or Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) Gold for Oklahoma properties.
Learn more about Commerce Mortgage solutions
Our Community Home Loan Officers are here to help, too.
In St. Louis:
Amber Adams
Evette Baker
In Kansas City:
Leticia Matthys
Porsha Card
Challenge Accepted.®: Repairing or remodeling a home you own
Challenge Accepted.®: Getting connected
Stop by a branch in your neighborhood or give us a call. We’re friendly and we’re here to help.
We’re proud to support local organizations who support economic empowerment in the communities we serve, including housing.
In the St. Louis area:
- Community Builders Network
- Northside Community Housing
- Prosperity Connection
- Dream Builders 4 Equity
- Habitat for Humanity – St. Louis
- Network for Strong Communities
- The Housing Partnership
- Justine Petersen
- Beyond Housing
- Washington University Live Near Your Work
- St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition
Community Development
Our Community Development staff is also a great resource to help you get started.
In Kansas City: Jackie Loya-Torres
Jackie Loya-Torres serves as Community Development Director/Assistant Vice President with Commerce Bank — Kansas City, where she focuses on compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act. In her role at Commerce, Jackie is responsible for the bank’s financial education outreach efforts and for many community development and community relations initiatives, especially in low- to moderate-income and underrepresented areas of the bank’s footprint - Jackie serves on the Board of Trustees at Cristo Rey High School Kansas City, as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Community Housing Wyandotte County and on the Executive Committee of Money Smart Kansas City.
Email JackieIn St. Louis: Crystal Avery-Morris
Crystal Avery-Morris serves as Community Development Officer with Commerce Bank, in St. Louis, where she focuses on compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act. In her role at Commerce, Crystal is responsible for the bank’s financial education outreach efforts and for many community development initiatives, especially in low to moderate income and underrepresented areas within the St. Louis MSA. As such, Crystal teaches home buyer financial literacy courses in collaboration with HUD organizations. Crystal serves on the Executive Board of the St. Louis Regional Financial Empowerment Coalition and The Haven of Grace, as Treasurer. She is also a member of the Emerson YMCA board and RISE Technical Assistance Committee.
Email CrystalDisclosures:
- Borrowing limited to homes in low- and moderate-income census tracts located in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas. To determine if your property might be eligible, please contact your local Commerce Bank Mortgage Banker.
- Combined loan-to-value (LTV) ratio (including prior mortgages or liens).
- Minimum credit score of 620 may be eligible for 100% LTV offer. Minimum credit score of 580 may be eligible for 97% LTV offer. Loans subject to credit approval.
- Income restrictions apply. Application income must be at or below 80% of FFIEC Median Family Income to be eligible for Neighborhood Connection™ grant.
- Not eligible if during the last 12 months you have had more than two 30-day late payments on non-housing related credit. May not have any late payments on rent or mortgage in last 12 months.
- Minimum credit score of 620 may be eligible for 105% LTV offer, with a maximum loan of $10,000. Minimum credit score of 580 may be eligible for 100% LTV offer, with a maximum loan of $5,000. Loans subject to credit approval.
- Loan program available for purchase or refinance. Grant applies to purchases only.
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