$15K Down Payment Assistance Subsidy Helps Mississippi Woman Achieve Homeownership Milestone

FHLB Dallas and Citizens National Bank Provide Funds

Lacey Harmon has lived in Macon, Mississippi, for most of her life and she was ready to put down roots by purchasing a home. Now, with the support of a $15,000 Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) subsidy from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) through its member, Citizens National Bank, she feels firmly planted in her native soil.

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The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Citizens National Bank provided $15,000 in down payment assistance to a Mississippi homebuyer. (Photo: Business Wire)

FHLB Dallas set aside $6.5 million of its 2023 Affordable Housing Program funds for HELP. Through member institutions, HELP assists income-qualified, first-time homebuyers with down payment assistance and closing costs.

“When I thought of buying a home, I never imagined things would fall into place so quickly. The HELP funds were a blessing that fulfilled my dream sooner than I expected,” said Ms. Harmon.

Hearing of HELP through word of mouth, she applied and received the subsidy, which was used for a down payment on a three-bedroom house that sits on about half an acre of lush land.

Since 2018, Citizens National Bank has used HELP funds to assist close to 50 Mississippians in achieving homeownership.

“Supporting first-time homebuyers is a big part of our business and we are delighted to have the backing of FHLB Dallas through the HELP subsidy,” said Tyeisha Smith, community development officer at Citizens National Bank.”

The HELP subsidy enables member institutions to build long-term relationships with their customers.

“As a community bank that prioritizes the people of Mississippi, Citizens National Bank is leading by example and bringing homeownership within the reach of local residents,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.

Visit fhlb.com/help for more information.

About Citizens National Bank

As more and more community banks are being acquired by larger regional institutions which have moved ownership and resources out of the state of Mississippi, our bank is more committed than ever to continue operating as an independent, community bank. We proudly serve 15 Mississippi communities with 27 branch locations, and we believe it's critical to Mississippi's future for us to help Mississippians grow and prosper. In fact, we consider our destiny to be one of continuing to earn the right to be Mississippi's Community Bank.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $181.2 billion as of March 31, 2023, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com.

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