In Fast Company, First Women’s Bank CEO Marianne Markowitz shares how the women-founded, women-led bank was built to close the gender lending gap and advance the women’s economy.
Imagine starting a bank—not just any bank, but one designed to close a gap that’s been holding back millions of women entrepreneurs for decades. That’s exactly what a group of visionary women set out to do in 2019. They saw the numbers: women own nearly 40% of U.S. businesses, employ millions, and generate trillions in revenue—yet they receive only a fraction of commercial lending. First Women’s Bank was born from that inequity.
Over two years, the founders raised nearly $40 million—the largest startup bank raise in Illinois history—and launched in 2021 with a mission to transform access to capital for women-owned businesses. This isn’t just about banking; it’s about education, equity, and empowerment. With support from corporate partners and an advisory board featuring icons like Billie Jean King and Sophia Bush, the bank is proving that when women have access to capital, entire economies thrive.
👉 Read the full story on Fast Company
