Bank of the Ozarks has awarded Accion in Florida a $50,000 grant to assist small businesses in Florida hurt by Hurricane Irma. The funds will be used to expedite loans, primarily to low-to-moderate-income small business owners in South, Central and North Florida where Hurricane Irma’s devastation was the greatest and where Accion has relief efforts and the strongest reach.

“Bank of the Ozarks understands the importance of small and micro businesses as a source of family financial security, job creation and community economic revitalization,” stated Angela Hudson, Director of Community Responsibility at Bank of the Ozarks. “Partnering with Accion to assist financially vulnerable business owners recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma enables these small businesses to continue providing services, jobs and economic growth in Florida,” Hudson added.

Bank of the Ozarks has 44 offices in Florida.

ABOUT BANK OF THE OZARKS
Bank of the Ozarks (NASDAQ: OZRK) is a regional bank providing innovative financial solutions delivered by expert bankers with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Bank of the Ozarks has been recognized as the #1 performing bank in the nation in its asset size for seven consecutive years. Headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, Bank of the Ozarks conducts banking operations through 252 offices in Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, New York and California and had $20.77 billion in total assets as of September 30, 2017. Bank of the Ozarks can be found at www.bankozarks.com and on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn or contacted at (501) 978-2265 or P.O. Box 8811, Little Rock, Arkansas 72231-8811.

ABOUT ACCION
A nationwide lender with deep community roots, Accion creates economic opportunity by partnering with small business owners to provide access to capital and the business support they need to create and grow healthy enterprises and contribute to thriving local economies. Since 1991, Accion has lent over $500 million to more than 59,000 businesses and provided more than 520,000 entrepreneurs with advising services. In Florida, Accion has a 15-year track record of success, growth and impact serving the most vulnerable of small businesses across the State. Accion is the leading microlender for small businesses in Florida, having invested over $20 million in them since 2003. One-third of all microloans disbursed in the state come from Accion. For more information on Accion small business loans in the United States, please visit us.accion.org.

ABOUT HURRICANE IRMA RELIEF PROGRAM AT ACCION
Funds will allow Accion to help affected small business owners in Florida with capital from $500-$50,000 at a reduced rate of 4.99%, along with additional underwriting flexibility and no payments for the first three months. Funds help small business owners recover lost inventory, replace equipment, and meet other working capital needs to keep their doors open. For more information on the program or to refer a small business in need, contact Fabiana Estrada, Director of South Florida Lending at Accion at 305-699-0985.