James Parker
SAULT ST. MARIE, Mich., — James Parker, Vice President of Central Savings Bank, is the 2024 recipient of the Community Spirit Award from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis.
Since 2007, the annual award has honored individuals at one of FHLBank Indianapolis’ member institutions in Indiana and Michigan who show an outstanding dedication to affordable housing and community economic development.
Parker is a lifelong resident of the Eastern Upper Peninsula and a graduate of Lake Superior State University. He started at Central Savings Bank in 2011 as the Marketing Director; switched to lending in 2013 and became a commercial lender in 2016. Parker was nominated for his impressive work in affordable housing and economic development.
As Central Savings Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act Officer, Parker is tasked with ensuring community reinvestment, often by forging partnerships with community stakeholders. One such partnership with Community Housing Network, Inc., The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Chippewa County Community Foundation culminated in the recently opened Garfield Landing, an adaptive reuse project that transformed the historic former Garfield School into 36 affordable housing units.
As vice president of the Sault Area Chamber of Commerce, Parker is also a strong champion for local economic development and has partnered with local businesses for FHLBank Indianapolis’ Elevate Small Business program, securing $60,000 in grant funding for local businesses in the Sault Ste. Marie community. In addition to the award, FHLBank Indianapolis will donate $5,000 to a nonprofit organization of Parker’s choice. Parker has chosen the Chippewa County Council for Youth and Families.