Midwest BankCentre donates branch for immigrant families, community housing

St. Louis-based Midwest BankCentre donated its former South Grand branch building, valued at $2.15 million, to the Lutheran Development Group for redevelopment and affordable housing in South St. Louis..The 22,000-square-foot property, at 5515 S. Grand Blvd., will be the new home for Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA), which is transforming the building into its Peace Center — a hub for outreach and support programs for immigrant and refugee families. Lutheran Development Group plans to build a seven-unit apartment complex on an adjacent lot to provide transitional housing for families participating in Christian Friends of New Americans programs.“Investing in the St. Louis region is the heart of Midwest BankCentre’s mission,” said Midwest BankCentre Chair and CEO Orvin Kimbrough. “Rather than simply selling these physical branch assets, we believe in creating opportunities that help neighborhoods thrive. By partnering with organizations like Lutheran Development Group, our properties continue to serve strategic purposes that meet the evolving needs of our communities.”Over the past five years, Midwest BankCentre has donated four branches valued at nearly $4.8 million to local nonprofits for affordable housing, small business development and neighborhood revitalization. Founded in 1906, Midwest BankCentre is the second-largest privately held community bank in St. Louis, with nearly $3 billion in assets and $2.47 billion in deposits as of June 30. The bank has 14 branches in Missouri.