Dear Friends,
With 2026 now well underway, HOPE’s fourth quarter report offers a moment to reflect on a year that tested the resilience of the people and places we serve. As the economy softened, household budgets tightened, and federal funding for healthcare, housing, and education declined, HOPE members faced more financial strain than at any time since the pandemic. Once again, HOPE responded with resolve and impact.
In 2025, HOPE helped more families become homeowners than ever before, strengthened essential community infrastructure, and expanded our reach into new neighborhoods. These achievements were not simply milestones—they were lifelines to opportunity.
- Temechius, a first time homebuyer, unlocked the door to a home of her own through HOPE’s affordable housing program – a possibility that had previously been out of reach.
- Margarita needed a reliable way to get to work. An affordable HOPE auto loan helped empower her to support her family and build stability.
- HOPE’s investment enabled I Dream Big Academy, Alabama’s first HBCU–charter school partnership, to expand pathways for young learners.
- In Birmingham’s Roebuck neighborhood, HOPE is expanding our ability to equip residents with resources that help them climb the economic ladder.
- In Jackson, more than 100 community residents helped launch the Hope Economic Empowerment Center — a space that serves as a full-service Hope Credit Union branch, a source for consumer, entrepreneur and homebuyer training; and as a gathering place that brings together mission aligned partners to advance collective prosperity.
In the face of substantial economic headwinds and uncertainty, your support makes these achievements possible. HOPE and those we serve rely on partnerships, donations, and deposits from allies who understand the importance of an economy that works for everyone.
Together, we are empowering families, entrepreneurs, and communities not only to endure these challenging times, but to emerge stronger.
Thank you for standing with HOPE. We are grateful for your commitment and look forward to building together in 2026.
Sincerely,
Bill Bynum
Chief Executive Officer
Homeownership: A Dream Turned into Reality
Temechius is a devoted daughter, mother, and grandmother who has always put her family first. While working full time, she also cares for her elderly father. Homeownership was a dream she carried for years, one she believed was out of reach. More than just a house, Temechius wanted a place her family could cherish for generations. A Louisiana native now living in Gulfport, Mississippi, Temechius decided the time was right to take a leap of faith. Although she had purchased two homes from private owners in the past, this time she knew she wanted to do things differently—with the right financial partner by her side. “I said when I get ready to purchase a home again, I will apply through HOPE”. HOPE worked closely with Temechius to help her build her credit, and through HOPE’s Affordable Housing Program, she was approved for a $175,000 loan. “To be approved, it was the best feeling,” said Temechius. “I was like, man, I cannot believe this.” She is now the proud owner of a home in a nice and safe neighborhood close to her job. “Now I have a backyard,” she said. “A place where I can spend time with my grandkids, where we can sit outside on warm nights, make s’mores, and drink hot chocolate.”
Keys to New Memories
Margarita has been a proud HOPE member since 2020. She first learned about HOPE Credit Union at a community event and quickly realized it was an institution she could trust. When Margarita and her family needed a vehicle that better suited their growing needs, she knew exactly where to turn. Even though she already had an account with another bank, she felt confident that HOPE was the right choice. After getting approved, Margarita and her husband eagerly began shopping for the perfect vehicle. She reflects on the day they received the keys at the dealership and the overwhelming joy it brought to her and her family. “HOPE made it possible for us to get the dream car we’ve been needing for our family,” said Margarita. Today, their new vehicle provides comfort, reliability, and peace of mind.
Financing that Fuels High Performance
Tamara Brown is the owner and operator of 93Octane, a Memphis, Tennessee–based firm dedicated to delivering exceptional client satisfaction through the effective management of project scope, budget, timeline, and quality. With more than two decades of experience serving the Greater Memphis market, Brown reached a pivotal point in her business and was ready to expand by hiring additional staff. Through HOPE’s partnership with Shelby County, Brown qualified for financing through the Shelby County Technical Assistance Loan Fund Program. She successfully completed the program’s 12-week cohort and was approved for financing from HOPE, receiving $50,000 in working capital. With the addition of new staff, Brown plans to strengthen 93Octane’s market presence through a focused marketing strategy centered on brand positioning and strategic collaborations. “What stood out most was feeling like I had a true partner with HOPE, not just a lender. In business, that distinction matters enormously,” said Brown.
Red Beans with a Purpose
Devin De Wulf is the founder of the Krewe of Red Beans (KRB), an organization born from his love of beans, costuming, and New Orleans culture. What began as a rag-tag neighborhood walking parade has grown into a vibrant community organization serving the city in meaningful ways. During the first week of the COVID-19 pandemic, KRB launched “Feed the Frontline,” an effort that raised $20 million to provide meals for healthcare workers. As the organization continued to grow, so did the need for a permanent home. De Wulf envisioned a building that could serve as a long-term, renewable resource for the community. In November 2021, De Wulf purchased a building and began converting it into a unique, welcoming space. When De Wulf faced challenges refinancing the building to complete renovations, a member of the organization connected him with Hope Credit Union. “HOPE was willing to work with us when other banks were not really open to a big, open community space like ours,” said De Wulf. Since receiving the loan from HOPE, the building is now being equipped with air conditioning, making it usable year-round. The space will host live music performances, after-school programs, Bean Camp for the youth, and operate as a daytime museum that generates tourism revenue. That revenue, in turn, funds educational programs and summer camps—creating a cycle of community investment. “HOPE is helping our organization, and I know that they are doing the same for others,” said De Wulf. “And that is really cool.”
Inspiring Youth to Dream Big
I Dream Big Academy is a new public charter school, which opened in fall 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was created to expand high-quality education and college readiness for students in the city’s West End, a community with historically high poverty rates and low college attainment. Serving grades 6–12, the school blends rigorous academics, project-based learning, and career exploration with early access to higher education through dual enrollment at Stillman College. HOPE provided approximately $4.5 million in facility financing to support the construction of a purpose-built school on Stillman’s campus, making I Dream Big Academy Alabama’s first HBCU-affiliated charter school and modernizing the legacy of HBCU laboratory schools. Founded by lifelong educator Dr. Angela Lang, the school responds to persistent academic disparities while connecting students to college coursework, mentoring, and career pathways in fields such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and entrepreneurship.” The mission of I Dream Big Academy is to inspire learners to realize their gifts, relentlessly pursue their dreams, and become the best version of themselves by removing barriers, strengthening readiness, and stretching the limits of their potential,” said Dr. Lang.
HOPE Deepens Its Commitment to the City of Birmingham
Hope Credit Union’s Parkway East Branch is now open, welcoming members and neighbors from Birmingham and surrounding communities. Located in the heart of the Roebuck neighborhood, the new branch provides the full range of HOPE’s financial services — including checking and savings accounts, auto loans, mortgages, and business financing.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, HOPE CEO Bill Bynum honored the legacy of New Pilgrim Federal Credit Union, which merged with HOPE in 2024. “Hope Credit Union would not be where it is today without the long legacy of community and mission minded work of inclusive finance from institutions like New Pilgrim Federal Credit Union,” Bynum shared. “Our newest location positions HOPE to build on its work as a community development investment bank with mission aligned allies like the city of Birmingham and the broader nonprofit and business community.”
Expanding Opportunity and Economic Mobility in Jackson
HOPE celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the HOPE Economic Empowerment Center in Jackson — a new hub designed to expand access to opportunity, strengthen partnerships, and support economic mobility for families, small businesses, and community organizations. The facility functions both as a full service branch and a gathering place for mission aligned partners. Mayor John Horhn joined the celebration, praising the Center’s significance: “Today represents hope in action. HOPE’s investment in our city helps ensure that Jacksonians have access to the tools, training, and financial resources they need to build a prosperous future.”
HOPE selected the site — a vacant restaurant — to anchor redevelopment in North Jackson. The Center also incorporates solar power and other sustainable design elements, reflecting HOPE’s commitment to strengthening communities for the long term.
HOPE CEO Reappointed to Federal Reserve Board
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta has announced the reappointment of HOPE CEO, Bill Bynum to a second term on the Board of Directors for the New Orleans Branch. During his first term, Bynum drew from the experiences of HOPE members seeking financial access to inform discussions on monetary policy.