CBA Holds May Meeting

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Paul Labonne, Community Relations Vice President, PNC Bank was the featured speaker at May's CBA General Membership meeting. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)
Paul Labonne, Community Relations Vice President, PNC Bank was the featured speaker at May's CBA General Membership meeting. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)

by Thelma Sardin

On May 10, the Chatham Business Association (CBA) held its monthly general membership meeting. Featured speaker, Paul Labonne, community relations vice president, PNC Bank, presented information on an upcoming Business Innovation Forum that will be held at The CBA Community Center at Chatham, 806 E. 78th Street (Inside the QBG Foundation Building).

Labonne said that PNC has worked with the CBA for several years and together has done great things for the community. PNCs commitment to Chatham is second to none. We have an obligation to work with our partners to help drive the economyto help the people of Chatham, he said.

In order to be a successful business leader, Labonne also acknowledged that it is important to give back to the community. We recognize that community investment is not just about social responsibility, its about good business, he said.

The Business Innovation Forum titled, Tools for a Happy Healthy Financial You, will be held May 25 from 10 a.m. 3 p.m. PNC Bank has partnered with the CBA and Money Management International (MMI) to conduct the event. The CBA is hosting the event.

Through this partnership we have created a series of workshops that are designed to help small businesses grow, said Labonne.

Forum workshops will cover several useful tools for small businesses including wireless/mobile technologies, SBA lending initiative and managing income & expense reports.

According to its website, forum partner, MMI is a full-service, nonprofit credit counseling agency that has been providing confidential financial guidance, financial education, counseling and debt management assistance to consumers since 1958.

A forum promotional flyer stated that MMI is dedicated to providing strong community education and in-person counseling within Chatham and surrounding south side communities.

Irma Lopez-Heredia, a MMI representative was also present at the CBA meeting and said that the organization was flattered to be a part of the forthcoming forum.

Were very much honored to be included and be part of it. The workshops that we are going to be providing [will deliver] wonderful information especially regarding credit, credit issues and managing money in terms of dealing with fast paced changes that are happening.

In addition, Melinda Kelly, CBA executive director, said those who attend the forum will be able to view their credit at the CBA Tech Center. MMI will also work individually with business owners. In addition to the open forum, you can do one on one with Money Management to really take advantage of the program.

Kelly thanked PNC and MMI for partnering with the CBA in helping to bring financial education programs to the community.

I want to thank PNC and Money Management International for bringing this so close to home for us because it starts with you and when it starts with you, you can share it with your neighbors and whole community, said Kelly.

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