Bank / Credit Union

Billie Jean King investing in First Women's Bank

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March 25, 2021

Tennis legend Billie Jean King is investing in First Women's Bank, a commercial bank with a strategic focus on women's economy. She'll also serve as strategic advise on gender equality, according to a press release.

"A critical step toward achieving gender equality is creating economic parity and financial inclusion, which requires closing the racial and gender gaps in access to capital," King said in the release. "I look forward to joining First Women's Bank as we work to bridge those gaps and empower women from all walks of life to reach their full potential."

When it launches this summer, First Women's Bank will be the only bank in the country to be women-owned, women-led and focused on the large and powerful women's economy. Women-owned businesses have been growing two times faster than the national average, yet they received just 16% of all conventional business loans. First Women's Bank is forming to close that gap.

"We are thrilled and honored to welcome Billie Jean to First Women's Bank. She is a legendary sports icon, an accomplished business woman and a devoted advocate for equality," Marianne Markowitz, president, CEO, First Women's Bank said in the release. "Billie Jean's support both as an investor and advisor will help us fulfill our mission to grow the economy and advance the role of women within it."

First Women's Bank will be a commercial bank with a mission to grow the economy and advance the role of women within it. The bank will serve a diverse national deposit and lending market from a single flagship location in Chicago.
First Women's Bank received conditional approval from the FDIC in July 2020.