Bank of Guam is honored to partner with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines in presenting a Member Impact Fund grant to Guam Unique Merchandise and Art or GUMA. This grant will support GUMA’s mission and services with entrepreneurship and economic development. Pictured, from left, are Lesley-Anne Leon Guerrero, senior vice president, chief experience officer, Bank of Guam; Monica Guzman, executive director, GUMA; Matthew Cruz, vice president, relationship banking manager, Bank of Guam and board director of finance, GUMA; and Maria Eugenia Leon Guerrero, executive vice president, chief operating officer, Bank of Guam.
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Bank of Guam is honored to partner with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines in presenting a Member Impact Fund grant to The Hagåtña Barrio Project, under the Hagåtña Restoration and Redevelopment Authority or HRRA. This grant will support the project’s mission of cultural preservation and community revitalization. Pictured, from left, Lesley-Anne Leon Guerrero, senior vice president, chief experience officer, bank of Guam; Jillette T. Leon Guerrero, executive director, HRRA; and Maria Eugenia Leon Guerrero, executive vice president, chief operating officer, Bank of Guam and chairwoman of the board, HRRA.
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HAGÅTÑA, Guam (BoG) — Bank of Guam, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, is pleased to announce that two organizations have received a combined $157,702 in grants through the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund.
Guam Unique Merchandise and Art or GUMA will receive $125,000 — made possible through Bank of Guam’s initial $50,000 donation toward the Member Impact Fund, to support GUMA’s mission and services with entrepreneurship and economic development.
The Hagåtña Barrio Project, under the Hagåtña Restoration and Redevelopment Authority will receive $32,702 — made possible as well through Bank of Guam’s $13,081 donation toward the Member Impact Fund, to support the project’s mission of cultural preservation and community revitalization.
This matching grant program will result in FHLB Des Moines awarding over $6 million in funding to support affordable housing and community development in Hawaii, Utah and Guam.
“The People’s Bank started as a dream with the belief that our people deserve the opportunity to succeed. Through this long-time partnership with FHLB Des Moines, it once again gives us that chance to support the amazing work of two organizations that strengthen our community. GUMA is helping people turn their passions into businesses, and the Hagåtña Barrio Project is preserving the spaces and stories that define us. We’re honored to work with FHLB to invest in our people, culture, and most of all, help build a better future for generations to come,” said Joaquin P.L.G. Cook, president and chief executive officer, Bank of Guam.
GUMA is shaping the future of Guam’s economy by helping entrepreneurs turn their dreams and ideas into self-sustaining businesses. Through free entrepreneurial training and mentorship, GUMA nurtures innovation, empowers self-employment, and strengthens our small business ecosystem. With support from the Member Impact Fund, GUMA will expand job training, business incubation, and staff development, fueling the growth of local entrepreneurs. This investment builds economic resilience, creates opportunity, and helps ensure that more people across our island have the tools to succeed and contribute to a stronger, more self-reliant community.
“At GUMA, we believe in the limitless potential of our local artists, cultural producers, and entrepreneurs, but we also know that turning creativity into sustainable businesses takes support, resources, and opportunity. Thanks to Bank of Guam’s partnership through this FHLB Member Impact Fund, and their commitment to empowering our community, we are able to bridge that gap and help turn those dreams into reality,” said Monica Guzman, executive director, Guam Unique Merchandise and Art.
The Hagåtña Barrio Project is reconnecting our island with its roots, using historical research and community insight to guide the revitalization of Guam’s capital city. This initiative combines cultural preservation, urban planning, and economic development to reimagine Hagåtña as a vibrant place to live, work, and gather. With support from the Member Impact Fund, the project will carry out essential predevelopment work, including mapping, surveying, and historical documentation to inform thoughtful and culturally grounded redevelopment. This investment helps strengthen community identity, supports local business growth, and brings us closer to a shared vision for a thriving, connected future in our island’s historic heart.
“This partnership will support the Hagåtña Barrio Project, an initiative aimed at revitalizing Hagåtña while preserving its historical barrios. The project will engage residents and businesses in the revitalization process, ensuring a vibrant and rich community for future generations. This grant underscores the commitment of the Bank of Guam to our community and preserving Guam’s cultural heritage and FHLB of Des Moines to enhancing community development. We are so very grateful for this support. Biba Hagåtña! Biba Guam!” said Jillette T. Leon Guerrero, executive director, Hagåtña Restoration and Redevelopment Authority.
“FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions and liquidity to more than 1,200 members to support mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing in the communities they serve. The Member Impact Fund provides FHLB Des Moines members a matching grant donation to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to support the needs of their communities. The Member Impact Fund continues to make a profound impact on our members’ efforts to create affordable housing accessibility and community development. It’s inspiring to see the increased usage year-over-year,” said Kris Williams, president and CEO, FHLB Des Moines.
Recipient organizations were selected based on the needs for grant funding to support capacity-building or working capital necessary to strengthen their ability to serve affordable housing or community development needs including job training, affordable housing, financial literacy, food banks and youth programs. This member matching grant program is part of FHLB Des Moines’ ongoing mission to offer a variety of funding options through its members.
Since its founding in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has supported affordable housing and community development with nearly $50 million in grants awarded by FHLB Des Moines. Member institutions apply and receive Member Impact Fund matching grants to be distributed to eligible organizations alongside their own grant contribution.
About Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is deeply committed to strengthening communities, serving 13 states and three U.S Pacific territories as a member-owned cooperative. “We work together with over 1,200 member institutions to support affordable housing, economic development and community improvement.”
FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com/.
