Capital Coaching Program and Old National Bank
Old National Bank grant will help CDFI Friendly South Bend continue to support entrepreneurs in underserved communities
June 16, 2025 | South Bend, Ind.
The Old National Bank Foundation presented CDFI Friendly South Bend Region with a check for $15,000 – a programmatic grant to support our Capital Coaching.
Our teams met in downtown South Bend to discuss capital access and share capital coaching goals for the region.
L to R:
Emily Forrest, Relationship Banker
Angelique Swartz, VP, Community Banking Market Manager
Sam Centellas, CDFI Friendly South Bend Region
Mark Dobberstein, Michiana Market President
Ryan Hunter, Community Development Manager
Jamie Guise, SVP, Community Marketing & Engagement Director
David Bruneel, VP, Private Banker
CDFI Friendly South Bend’s Capital Coaching program pairs entrepreneurs with an expert mentor. The coaching helps entrepreneurs gain an insider’s knowledge of the financing world to avoid common pitfalls and boost success when seeking capital.
Old National Bank’s South Bend Community Bank Market Manager and Vice President, Angelique Swartz and Sam Centellas discussing plans for a Capital Access workshop coming up in fall 2025.
Piloted in 2023 with a grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Capital Coaching program currently serves Saint Joseph, Elkhart and Marshall Counties in Indiana.
“We are looking forward to growing and strengthening a relationship through the region with Old National Bank. As an Indiana bank we are glad to have them in our corner helping entrepreneurs grow and succeed,” said Sam Centellas, Executive Director of CDFI Friendly South Bend Region.
“I am looking forward to working more with the CDFI Friendly to expand my resources for clients that are pursuing their dreams. It is important for me to help my clients find a path even if that may be referring them to an outside source to assist in their business development and growth. I have observed that Sam has similar Values and Ethics to make those connections for me and Old National’s clients. Our clients trust us to lead them in the right direction so I must entrust in my resources.,” said Old National Bank’s Angelique Swartz.
The grant will enable CDFI Friendly South Bend Region to continue to support entrepreneurs throughout our region. “In 2024 our Capital Coaching program helped close over $1.5M in loans for local small businesses and this critical program is making a difference. We thank Old National Bank for the support but also for the growing partnership for years to come,” Centellas adds.
The partnership with Old National Bank includes training their staff on CDFI lending and engages them in our referral network. Now we can help more of their clients receive CDFI Friendly South Bend capital access support across Indiana and southwest Michigan.
Jamie Guise, SVP, Community Marketing & Engagement Director, met with our director Sam Centellas and shared how our missions and work are aligned, she said, “Tracing our roots to 1834, Old National in 2025 celebrates 190 years of strength, stability, and celebrating our clients and community partners. Old National focuses on building long-term, highly valued partnerships with clients while also strengthening and supporting the communities we serve. In addition to providing extensive services in consumer and commercial banking, Old National offers comprehensive wealth management and capital markets services. In 2025, Points of Light named Old National one of "The Civic 50" -- an honor reserved for the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States. And this is an honor that we are tremendously proud of and at every level of our organization are committed to always taking care of our local communities.”
CDFI Friendly South Bend connects Community Development Financial Institutions and other lenders to local small businesses and housing developers seeking capital. For more information on our programs, visit www.cdfifriendlysouthbend.org.
