Apr 9, 2024
Optus Bank Impact Report 2023
As a bank on a mission to create wealth in underserved communities, we recognize that the financial strength of our bank is a key driver of our positive community impact. In this impact report, we want to highlight the results of our efforts fo fulfill our mission established by visionary and courageous African Americans more than 100 years ago, when they founded Victory Savings Bank, now Optus Bank.
Feb 7, 2024
South Carolina Progressive Network deposits $250k in Optus Bank
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WACH) — On Tuesday, the South Carolina Progressive Network deposited $250,000 into Optus Bank. Partners held a press conference at 12 pm at the bank to celebrate this historic moment. The Network is leaving a prominent national bank to reinvest into a local community bank, which signifies the longstanding relationship between the two going back to the 1970s.
Jun 8, 2023
Warner, Crapo, Adeyemo Applaud $1 Billion in Deposit Commitments for Minority & Community Lenders
Optus Banks is recognized in recent press release as continuing to grow and make impact!
Mar 15, 2023
Yahoo!News: Bank collapse hits home for Black-owned banks as republicans blame ‘woke’ culture.
Optus Bank CEO and President Dominik Mjartan shares insight with Yahoo!News.
Mar 1, 2023
The history of South Carolina’s First Black Owned Bank.
Optus Bank Executive Vice President Benita Lefft sits down with WIS Awareness Host, Billie Jean Shaw to discuss the legacy, mission and the future of South Carolina’s first and only Black owned bank.
Feb 1, 2023
Optus Bank partners with Citi and Walmart to help suppliers find capital and financing!
Walmart and Citi Introduce the Bridge built by Citi® platform to Walmart Suppliers. This platform Will Help Improve Access to Capital for Walmart’s U.S. Supplier Base through Network of over 70 lenders, Including 20+ Diverse Financial Institutions, Optus Bank being one them!
Sep 1, 2022
Mother daughter duo and Optus Bank customer, launch hair care product line!
It all started with an online rant. Gabby Goodwins mom, Rozalynn, explains how she and her then 7 year old daughter grew their beauty business with the help of their community bank, Optus Bank.
May 24, 2022
After George Floyd’s murder, Wall Street promised billions of dollars to help Black Americans. 2 years later, here’s where that money went and how it’s being used.
As Dominik Mjartan approached JPMorgan's towering global headquarters on New York City's Park Avenue on a Friday afternoon in September, he couldn't help feeling skeptical. Mjartan, the CEO of Optus Bank, a South Carolina lender with $350 million in assets, was there to meet Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan. The meeting was no pairing of equals. JPMorgan, a global finance giant, is multiples larger with some $4 trillion in assets through March.
Dec 1, 2021
What’s next for SC’s Black-owned bank after $20M in outside investment
COLUMBIA — Once on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s list of troubled institutions, South Carolina’s only Black-owned bank has since seen a fortune change, with its assets tripling over 15 months of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the federal agency’s latest data.
Nov 5, 2021
Black Banks Need More Money to Stay Alive After Getting Hefty Cash-Infusions From Nation’s Largest Banks
Over a year after George Floyd’s murder and the economic crush from COVID-19, Black-owned banks report capital injections have allowed them to boost lending, beef-up staffing, and back communities amid pandemic-era unpredictability. Yet, even with the cash infusions, Black bankers contend that they need more investment to lessen racial inequality in financial services and fortify their longevity.