Officials with First Citizens Bank announced Wednesday the bank will host a Butler County Small & Minority Business Lending Symposium on Oct. 21 at the Wendell Mitchell Conference Center on the campus of LBW Community College in Greenville.

“Our mission and purpose for hosting this event is to rally all state and federal lending programs to Butler County small and minority existing businesses, start ups and entrepreneurs seeking lending options to start or expand their businesses,” said Regional President Jim Dunklin. “We have a most impressive lineup of leaders from across the State of Alabama who will be making presentations at our symposium on all business lending programs available at the state and federal level.”

Among those who will speak at the event are John D. Harrison, superintendent of the Alabama State Banking Department; Allen Bowen, state community and program director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Business and Industry Loan Program; Jerry Ellison, Alabama Small Business Development Center Network; Clarence Mann, state director of the Office of Minority Business Enterprises; Dana Moore, executive director for the Southern Development Council; Lisa Riley, regional director, Lift Fund (SBA Certified Micro Lender); William W. Petrey and Charlie Sankey, Jr., First Citizens Bank; Tom Todt, Alabama district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration; and W. Howard Wills, J.D., ADECA state coordinator for the State Small Business Credit Initiative.

The bank will provide a continental breakfast and lunch to all symposium participants.

All federal and state program participants will host a tabletop display for symposium participants to browse, gathering information and receive lending guidance.

“We are committed to Butler County and all of us who call it home,” Dunklin said. “There are existing companies and prospective small and minority business owners who will greatly benefit from attending this symposium. Since 1980, First Citizens Bank has lived up to its creed and mission; to meet the financial needs of our customers and communities. Our personal service will show that we care.”

All current and prospective small and minority businesses from Butler County are invited to attend. The symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information about the symposium can be found at www.fcbl.com or by calling (334) 371-5000.