Partnership for Financial Equity

Looking back at our 2025 Elevating Equity award winners! In our Asset Building category, congrats to First Citizens Bank and Lawrence Communityworks for their deep-rooted collaboration to advance financial empowerment and inclusion in the Merrimack Valley. Their efforts have connected small business owners with savings tools, culturally responsive financial coaching, and a pathway to long-term asset building.

“First Citizens Bank recognizes the need to provide Massachusetts communities with the tools to achieve long-term financial success,” said Michael (Mike) Atkinson, Senior Director of Community Affairs at First Citizens. “We’re honored to receive the Elevating Equity Asset Building Award alongside Lawrence CommunityWorks and remain steadfast in our commitment to building lasting financial security and stability in the communities where we live and work.”

“At LCW, we believe deeply in the power of people — their dreams, their work, and their voice,” said Arleen Zorrilla, Director of Asset Building at Lawrence CommunityWorks. “Together with First Citizens Bank, we’re helping families and small business owners build lasting stability and create opportunities that strengthen our community for generations to come.”

Our new research report has just been released and it breaks new ground locally and nationally in understanding more about why lower income residents do and do not trust financial institutions. Read the full report authored by Amalie Zinn, Jason Andrade, and Thomas Callahan and download topline results and crosstabs from The MassINC Polling Group statewide survey at our website.