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26 Worcester Business Journal | September 13, 2021 | wbjournal.com F O C U S D I V E R S I T Y & I N C L U S I O N R ob Babcock is the Commercial Market President for TD Bank in Central and Western Massachusetts. He is responsible for managing TD Bank's retail, commercial, and small business banking and lending teams as they con- tinue to build upon TD Bank's presence in the state. Rob has been based in Worcester for his banking career for more than 30 years. He joined TD Bank in 2001 and has served in a variety of commercial lending leadership roles. He is an active member of the Veteran's diversity committee at TD. What is TD doing to create a more inclusive future? We feel it is our responsibility to make an effort to become the bank of choice for all communities and diverse businesses. We recognize that this means taking proactive steps both internally and within our footprint. As part of this effort, TD created a $100 million equity fund in support of Specialized Small Business Investment Companies and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to support Black-owned small busi- nesses in our Maine to Florida footprint. This enables them to provide small business loans and technical assistance, ensuring these businesses have the resources they need to scale and adapt long-term. Through the equity fund, TD is infusing capital and helping stabilize small businesses and in turn contributing to job creation, economic development, and community revitalization. We're also expanding our efforts to educate business owners and consumers about available financial services and financial literacy. This has meant adapting our previous seminars to webinar formats so that we're still doing this important education during these challenging times. How is TD Bank supporting the local communities when it comes to diversity initiatives? Through the TD Ready Commitment, we are supporting year-round program- ming that amplifies Black-led and Black-focused initiatives. TD also hosts com- munity listening sessions with community partners to help us learn more about the needs and challenges of local Black and minority-owned businesses. We con- tinue to work closely with community organizations, industry associations and local Chambers of Commerce to provide educational and financial resources to help small business owners. We are actively working to help stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization in local neighborhoods through our strong commitment to com- munity development lending. This includes loans and financing that support affordable housing, community, health, social and educational services, and busi- nesses in underserved areas. As part of this, we provide a line of credit in excess of $500 million dollars to a local Community Development Financial Institution which works for economic, social, and racial justice by providing cooperatives in low-income communities in the Worcester area with business skills, investment opportunities and financial products at reasonable rates. As part of our local efforts, the TD Charitable Foundation supported Entrepreneurship for all with a $5,000 grant in the Worcester community. Entrepreneurship For All seeks out aspiring entrepreneurs in under-represented communities and support them on their pathway towards entrepreneurship when they may have limited access to start-up capital or traditional incubator programs. We also supported the Local Initiatives Support Coalition in Massachusetts with a $50,000 state-wide grant to target small business recovery with a focus on diverse and women-owned businesses. We strongly believe that supporting and empowering small businesses and individuals on a community level will help build a more inclusive future for all. Rob Babcock, Commercial Market President, TD Bank TD BANK: Q&A with Rob Babcock, Commercial Market President, TD Bank W Rob Babcock talk about your passion. Dedicated local experts Digital payment solutions to better manage cash flow Bank Online Banking with free Bill Pay 1 us at tdbank.com/smallbusiness or call 1-855-278-8988 Bank, N.A. | 1 Bill Pay payments are free with up to a 3 day turnaround time. A rush same-day payment feature is available for an additional fee. Please consult your Business Account Agreement for details. Unexpectedly engaged. Unexpectedly Human. Let's talk about your passion. • Dedicated local experts • Digital payment solutions to better manage cash flow • TD Bank Online Banking with free Bill Pay 1 Visit us at tdbank.com/smallbusiness or call 1-855-278-8988 You love what you do. We know the feeling. Unexpectedly engaged. Unexpectedly Human. Member FDIC, TD Bank, N.A. | 1 Bill Pay payments are free with up to a 3 day turnaround time. A rush same-day payment feature is available for an additional fee. Please consult your Business Account Agreement for details. Let's talk about your passion. • Dedicated local experts • Digital payment solutions to better manage cash flow • TD Bank Online Banking with free Bill Pay 1 Visit us at tdbank.com/smallbusiness or call 1-855-278-8988 You love what you do. We know the feeling. Unexpectedly engaged. Unexpectedly Human. Member FDIC, TD Bank, N.A. | 1 Bill Pay payments are free with up to a 3 day turnaround time. A rush same-day payment feature is available for an additional fee. Please consult your Business Account Agreement for details. Let's talk about your passion. • Dedicated local experts • Digital payment solutions to better manage cash flow • TD Bank Online Banking with free Bill Pay 1 Visit us at tdbank.com/smallbusiness or call 1-855-278-8988 You love what you do. We know the feeling. Unexpectedly engaged. Unexpectedly Human. Member FDIC, TD Bank, N.A. | 1 Bill Pay payments are free with up to a 3 day turnaround time. A rush same-day payment feature is available for an additional fee. Please consult your Business Account Agreement for details. passion. better manage free Bill Pay 1 tdbank.com/smallbusiness or do. Account Agreement for details. Let's talk about your passion. • Dedicated local experts • Digital payment solutions to better manage cash flow • TD Bank Online Banking with free Bill Pay 1 Visit us at tdbank.com/smallbusiness or call 1-855-278-8988 You love what you do. We know the feeling. Unexpectedly engaged. Unexpectedly Human. Member FDIC, TD Bank, N.A. | 1 Bill Pay payments are free with up to a 3 day turnaround time. A rush same-day payment feature is available for an additional fee. Please consult your Business Account Agreement for details. Special Sponsored Section