WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) today announced Bank of America as the corporate chair of its upcoming 34th National Convention, set to take place September 15-17, 2013, at the historic Downtown Hilton in Chicago, IL. The annual convention is a premier event for the Hispanic business community, convening thousands of Hispanic business owners, corporate executives, elected officials, and over 200 local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce from across the country.
"Bank of America, with its excellent record for launching initiatives designed to help our nation's diverse-owned businesses and underserved communities, is the natural choice to serve as this year's corporate chair," said USHCC President and CEO Javier Palomarez. "We are honored to have Bank of America take on such an important leadership role in what is predicted to be our most successful national convention yet."
"Bank of America is very excited to be the corporate chair of the USHCC National Convention," said Robb Hilson, Bank of America Small Business executive. "Our strong partnership with the USHCC will allow us to help Hispanic businesses grow and succeed, and is another way the bank continues to show its focus on small businesses throughout the nation."
Bank of America has a nationwide network of banking centers and professionals that is committed to its more than 3 million small business clients and their local communities. The resources of Bank of America help small business owners succeed by offering convenient interactions and comprehensive banking, credit and investing solutions. The personal connection of small business bankers, client managers and practice solutions specialists contribute to the success of small businesses and their communities by making expertise more accessible. Through June of this year, Bank of America has extended more than $5 billion in new credit to small businesses -- an increase of 26 percent over the same period last year.
In 2012, the bank also spent $349 million with Hispanic-owned businesses through its Supplier Diversity and Development Program.
"Through lending, investments and philanthropic giving, Bank of America has demonstrated that it cares about providing economic opportunities to America's Hispanic small business community," said Marc Rodriguez, USHCC chairman of the board. "The USHCC has a great friend in Bank of America and we are delighted to have them as the corporate chair for our convention."
About the USHCC
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of over 3 million Hispanic owned businesses across the United States that contribute in excess of $465 billion to the American economy each year. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.USHCC.com.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. We serve approximately 51 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,300 retail banking offices and approximately 16,350 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users and more than 13 million mobile users. Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.