Three members of Colonial recently met with the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce (FWMBCC) to discuss how Colonial can continue to strengthen our relationship with the black community in Fort Worth, where Colonial’s corporate headquarters and largest community footprint is located.

As 2020 comes to an end, many people around the country and throughout the world can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do just about everything this year, but the health and safety of our customers and employees has remained our highest priority as social distancing and virtual gatherings have become the norm. This year has been challenging on so many fronts, and while so many are thankful that it’s nearly over, it’s important to look back and reflect on some of the positives of the past year.

Another year is coming to an end and as we look forward to all of the exciting things ahead next year, we would be remiss if we didn’t take a moment and reflect on how we got here. First, we know we wouldn’t be here without our amazing customers. Whether you have chosen Colonial as your mortgage lender or have been on-boarded as a Mortgage Services customer, we are truly privileged to have you as a customer.

he holidays are the season of giving. A season surrounded by wonder and whimsy where it’s okay to believe in a little magic and embrace your inner child. For those who are lucky to spend it with family, we exchange gifts, tell stories and watch our favorite holiday movies, all while we are warm and cozy surrounded by the ones we love.

For active military members and their families, the holidays are often bittersweet. While we enjoy the comforts of home, they are stationed on ships and military bases across the country and around the world as they help keep us safe. The holidays can sometimes magnify the distance between them and their families and serve as a reminder of who won’t be able to make it home this year.

Colonial is very excited to announce the launch of our inaugural Employee Volunteer Challenge. From October 1 – December 31, Colonial employees will be engaging in a friendly competition to get out in their communities and give back through volunteer efforts.

​On Friday, August 16, Colonial held our third annual Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) celebration. This year's theme, "One Colonial. One Community." was chosen because of Colonial's ongoing efforts to support our local communities through volunteer work, donations and other means of support.

​​​​​​​​​​The spring season is upon us. As we welcome warmer weather, longer days and of course, home buying season, we never forget the communities we serve. For decades Colonial has provided grants, co​​mm​unity service and other services to help those who are less fortunate. Below we have some highlights of what we’ve been up to in the community this spring.​

​Colonial Savings, F.A. has again been named a Fannie Mae STAR™ Performer in General Servicing for 2018. Fannie Mae’s Servicer Total Achievement and Rewards™, or STAR™ Program, recognizes those who have demonstrated best practices in a number of servicing categories including a review of relevant people, strategies, processes and applicable metrics.

​​​​​​​​​​​​Colonial takes an immense amount of pride in serving our local communities. Whether it be providing grants t​o benefit underprivileged individuals, volunteering at area events or providing homebuyer and banking education, Colonial believes in doin​g the right thing for our neighbors and customers alike. Here’s what we’ve been up to in the community this fall.​​

​​​​​The month of June saw a lot of excitement for all of us at Colonial. Summer "officially" began, we had some really fun company-wide celebration​​s​, attended some worthwhile events, gave back to our local communities and more. Below we have some of the community highlights for the month of June.

It's been a busy 2018 already for Colonial's Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Steering Committee. The D&I Steering Committee kicked off the new year by welcoming new members Richard Harvey, Angelica Morales, Jenna Nicklas, Jacki O'Donnell, Amanda Pace, Retta Roberson, Boris Sestan, Koen Wade, Marlon Walker and Artis White to kick off the new year. New committee members joined existing members Graham Ashley, Christen Lee, Juan Ordaz, David Starks, Katie Thompson, Miles Thornton and Sabrina Williams who round out the rest of the committee.

With the addition of these new volunteer members D&I will continue to bring together and celebrate the uniqueness of our employees including different ethnicities, cultures, gender, age, sexual preference, experience, education, religious backgrounds and more.

Colonial takes great pride in supporting the local community. For more than six decades, we have supported local organizations and charity efforts around Fort Worth and beyond. Below we have the month of February's donations:

Spending time with family and friends during the holidays is something many of us may take for granted. We have our holiday traditions, like dinner at grandma's or watching our favorite holiday films, but for the many men and women who are currently serving in the United States military, they are unable to be home for the holidays. They are stationed around the world on ships, bases and submarines, miles away from the ones they love.

In keeping with a tradition that began last year, Colonial employees wanted to give a piece of home this holiday season to one of our Colonial family's loved ones while they are stationed abroad.

Colonial was thrilled to be in attendance at the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals' (NAHREP) annual National Convention and Latin Music Festival and Elevate Mortgage Summit in Dallas, Texas on September 9 – 12.

At Colonial, our emphasis is on people. People make the operation work and they work best in an environment where they are respected. Colonial recognizes the powerful dimension that diversity and inclusion adds to our work environment. It broadens our views and opens our minds to different possibilities.

Colonial's mission is to create an environment where differences are celebrated, employees are engaged, debate is respected and where diversity of thought leads to innovative solutions. We believe a diverse and inclusive environment is critical to our success and that it is crucial to create and sustain a culture where every voice matters.

On May 9, Colonial’s Founder and Chairman Emeritus was honored by the Board of the Fort Worth Independent School District with a unanimous vote to name the auditorium of Stripling Middle School the Jimmy DuBose Auditorium. Jimmy is a 1934 alumni of Stripling and ever since he has supported the school in countless ways to benefit the teachers and students.

On Friday, April 7, a group of Colonial employees spanning multiple departments visited Western Hills Elementary School in Fort Worth to participate in their "High Five" Initiative.

On February 6, the Colonial Savings Foundation donated $30,000 to benefit Housing Opportunities of Fort Worth (HOFW). Colonial has provided funding to the HOFW programs for more than 25 years.

Colonial recently donated $10,000 to the Forth Worth Samaritan House. Samaritan House is an organization dedicated to creating a supportive community by providing housing and resources for positive change in the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS and other special needs. To find out more and to donate, visit their website at www.SamaritanHouse.org.

At the end of last year, Dave Motley, President of Colonial, was approached by Randal Mays, President of Junior Achievement (JA) of the Chisholm Trail to explore ways in which the bank could renew its involvement with JA through their Volunteer Engagement Program.

Colonial has donated a $1,000 grant to support 6 Stones' Night of Hope program.

Colonial-sponsored multisport racing team Relentless Racing is in the heart of racing season. Relentless Racing, who consists of nine members, competes in events across the United States and around the world. Below are some recent results from the 2016 racing season.

On Thursday, May 19, Junior Mortgage Banker Shelton Green emceed the 2016 Evening of Honors: The Precursors, as we Saw It panel – Symbols of an Ivory Tower: Past & Present. The event honored the first entering class of African American students to The University of Texas at Austin and served as the culmination of the 30^th anniversary of The Herman Sweatt Symposium in Civil Rights, an annual event in recognition of Herman Marion Sweatt, the first African American student to attend UT Austin.

Colonial-sponsored multi-sport racing team – Relentless Racing – has enjoyed an outstanding past few months.

Samaritan House is an organization dedicated to creating a supportive community providing housing and resources for positive change in the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS and other special needs.

Colonial's Cleburne, Texas, banking center recently donated to Cleburne's Christmas in Action (CIA).

Bauer Financial, Inc., the nation's leading bank rating and research firm, has recognized Colonial Savings as a 5-Star Superior bank.