Sunrise Bank of Atlanta is reaching out to international professionals moving here who are having problems obtaining banking services.
“Atlanta considers itself an international city, yet try to open a bank account here as a new resident from another country,” says Charles H. Green, the community bank’s president. “It is not easy. Most banks impose requirements that new residents cannot possibly meet.”
Located at 600 West Peachtree Street at the intersection of North Avenue, the bank with $25 million in assets offers products and services for small and mid-sized businesses, entrepreneurs and high net-worth individuals. It is an affiliate of Capitol Bancorp, a $3.6 billion bank development company with executive offices in Lansing, Mich., and Phoenix, Ariz.
Sunrise Bank originally opened in 2002 as a loan production office specializing in government-guaranteed loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration, and was approved in June 2006 as a full-service commercial bank.
Mr. Green told GlobalAtlanta during an interview in his office that due to strict banking regulations intended to prevent illegal money laundering, many larger banks choose to avoid helping newly-arrived residents.
Instead, he added, Sunrise Bank has helped Asian, Dutch, Indian and other arrivals open bank accounts immediately so they can rent or buy a home or car.
“We use common sense and good judgment to help people make the transition to Atlanta easier,” he said requiring only a letter verifying Atlanta employment and salary, a government-issued photo identication, a valid visa and a deposit to open an account.
Students also are welcome to open accounts, he said, if they can verify enrollment and have a government-issued photo identification and a valid student visa.
Mr. Green, who currently serves as chairman of the Fulton County Arts Council, coined the bank’s slogan, “The Art of Banking,” and has decorated its offices with paintings on loan from local galleries.
He also serves on the Atlanta advisory board of Accion International, which was founded in 1961 to address poverty in Latin American cities. Begun in the shantytowns of Caracas, Venezuela, it now is one of the premier microfinance organizations in the world with a network of lending partners in Africa, Latin America and the United States.
He also serves on the boards of Hands on Atlanta, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and the Atlanta Medical Center.
Story Contacts, Links and Related Stories
Sunrise Bank of Atlanta – Charles H. Green (404) 249-6500