At SoFi, our commitment to community engagement is at the heart of our mission to help people achieve financial independence and realize their ambitions. One example of this is our continued dedication to supporting local initiatives in Salt Lake City under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). We are honored to announce that the Mayor of South Salt Lake has recognized SoFi as the Promise South Salt Lake (SSL) Innovation Partner of the Year during this year's State of the City Address.
We sat down with several of our Salt Lake City employees who have volunteered over the past year. Their efforts have focused on enhancing digital literacy, providing career development support—such as participating in job fairs and resume writing workshops—and contributing to the Promise South Salt Lake Community Opportunity Center (Co-Op). Through their experiences, we aim to highlight the meaningful work being done and the ongoing collaboration between SoFi and the South Salt Lake community.
Join us as we explore their stories and gain insights into the positive changes unfolding in our community.
To kick things off, we are first going to hear from Angie Smedley, CRA Compliance Officer, Director at SoFi. Angie, can you explain what the Community Reinvestment Act is and how it impacts Banks like SoFi?
Angie: The Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, is a regulation enacted in 1977 to prevent redlining and ensure banks are meeting the needs of the communities where they have a physical presence, with a focus helping on low-and moderate income individuals and small businesses. At SoFi, we have a five-year plan that is approved through 2027, which includes measurable goals that have been approved by the Office of Comptroller of Currency (OCC).
Why did SoFi pick Salt Lake as the place to do this work?
Angie: SoFi Bank is headquartered in Salt Lake, so the Salt Lake region along with the Sacramento region (where Golden Pacific Bank has three branches) are where we focus our CRA efforts. Our hope is to grow our CRA program nationwide in 2028 with our next CRA Strategic Plan.
Next we’ll hear from a couple of our volunteers: Debbie Graves, a Manager on the Talent Acquisition team, Taylor Sullivan, a Recruiter on the Internal Mobility team, Shaun Lowder, a Manager on the Technical Projects team, and Krista Arthur, a Senior Manager on the Facilities team, and David Bohm, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer.
Debbie and Taylor, as volunteers, what is some of the volunteer work you’ve done?
Debbie: I've volunteered doing several events such as computer literacy classes, resume writing, job fair assistance, job interview practice sessions and financial literacy.
Taylor: I've signed up through Benevity (our internal volunteerism tool) to volunteer on several projects, including assembling food boxes at the Food Bank, creating hygiene kits for women’s shelters, and preparing back-to-school supplies for kids in need. I also spent a wonderful few hours at the Salt Lake Animal Shelter, helping ensure the animals receive care and enrichment.
Can you share why you’ve chosen these organizations to volunteer with?
Taylor: I volunteered by helping individuals with their resumes and interview prep, supporting people from all walks of life. It was rewarding to share my experience—whether with recent graduates seeking their first corporate job or those reentering the workforce. Using my professional skills to give back felt like a no-brainer!
Debbie: I've had the pleasure of volunteering alongside my SoFi teammates, helping community members with resumes, interview prep, and job searches. I volunteer because I believe in giving back—whether by offering support, sharing knowledge, or making someone's day a little easier. It’s rewarding to connect with people, grow personally, and contribute to causes that matter to me. Knowing my efforts make a difference keeps me motivated to give more.
David, from your perspective, why is it important for employees and leaders to volunteer?
David: For me, volunteering is a way to help create balance in my life. Like everyone, I have my own ups and downs, but taking time to help others—even in small or indirect ways—reminds me that I can still make a difference, especially when we come together. It feels good to take action and make a difference.
As part of our commitment to the Salt Lake Community, SoFi provided $15,000 to renovate a historic building into a thriving Co-Op (the Promise SSL Community Opportunity Center). Once the Co-Op renovations were complete, SoFi partnered with Project Read, a local nonprofit organization focused on promoting literacy, to provide weekly digital literacy classes. The classes are still taught each week and the relationship has since expanded with SoFi providing contributions and volunteers to promote affordable housing, employment support and small business mentoring to residents of South Salt Lake.
Shaun, you volunteer with Project Read, can you talk to us about the impact this has had on you?
Shaun: Being part of these digital literacy classes is rewarding, and it's just really fun! Many people take for granted how essential yet complex technology has become. For many, even basic tasks like paying bills feel out of reach. I'm inspired by those who show up to learn, determined to improve their lives. It's more than just using a computer—it's about empowerment and opportunity. I keep volunteering because the need is real, the impact is tangible, and it's fun to be part of the journey!
How does it feel to accept an award on behalf of SoFi for the work that has been done to support Salt Lake?
Shaun: Attending the State of the City event was an incredible experience—not just for the award but to see the many individuals and companies dedicated to improving South Salt Lake. Accepting this honor on behalf of SoFi was a true privilege. Our partnership with the Co-Op has been fun and fulfilling, connecting me with amazing people working to break barriers and create opportunities. It's a great reminder that the quickest way to a better outlook is by helping others.
Krista: It was an incredibly rewarding moment. It reflects SoFi's commitment to making a positive impact on the community where we live and work and the difference we make in people's lives. I'm proud to work at SoFi because it shows that it's bigger than the work we do at the office every day and bigger than each individual. It's the collective effort of many employees and teams to make a difference. It's inspiring to know that SoFi is invested in taking care of people, and that means helping not only our members and employees but our local communities as well.
Thank you to our incredible employee volunteers for sharing their experiences and making an impact in our local Salt Lake community. Whether it’s helping someone land a job, bridging the digital divide, or simply lending a hand, every effort counts. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish in 2025 and beyond!
The individuals featured are SoFi employees. Their personal experiences, obviously, do not take into account your own specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. Results will vary.
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