Byline Bank supports Oak Park River Forest community through gift card program

CHICAGO, IL - Byline Bank is announcing it has committed $15,000 to purchase gift cards this month from local restaurants in the Oak Park River Forest and Forest Park communities.

Throughout the next couple of weeks Byline will be purchasing gift cards from 50 local restaurants in Oak Park and River Forest, as well as partnering with the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce in hopes of providing meaningful support to the restaurant industry during this difficult time. "Byline Bank is at it again! They came in and bought a number of gift cards from us," said Rob Guenthner, co-owner of Kettlestrings Tavern, located in Oak Park. "We genuinely appreciate the support Byline has shown to us and other area restaurants."

In response to the efforts, Liz Holt, Executive Director of the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce shared "It's support like this from community partners like Byline Bank that will help our business community survive. The OPRF Chamber is thrilled to help Byline connect with restaurants, and retailers in Oak Park, River Forest and the surrounding communities."

Christine Westphal Barnard, Community Outreach at Explore Forest Park shared "We are so thankful to Byline Bank for giving back and supporting our business community in Forest Park. Our small businesses have been hit hard in 2020, especially our restaurant community. We believe if we all take small steps, our business community will thrive in 2021."

"This pandemic has impacted so many of our customers, especially our small businesses and independently owned restaurants," said Susie Goldschmidt, Oak Park and River Forest Market President for Byline Bank. "These businesses play such an important role in the OPRF community, and we hope this simple act can help out during these winter months."

Byline is privileged to be a part of the OPRF community and is proud to have contributed more than $90,000 in sponsorships and support to the area this year, alone. Also, earlier this year, Byline was able to provide $12.8 million in financing for affordable housing initiatives in the Oak Park and Austin areas, and was further able to provide $14.8 million* in Paycheck Protection Program loans to the OPRF community, during a critical time for many businesses, struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Supporting small businesses is critical at this time and Downton Oak Park would like to give a big thank you to Byline Bank for their direct support of our independent merchants," says Shanon M. Williams, Executive Director of Downtown Oak Park.

"As a long-time member of our communities, I am proud to work for a true community bank, that puts the needs and support of our community front, and center, when it matters," says Goldschmidt.

About Byline Bank

Headquartered in Chicago, Byline Bank, a subsidiary of Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:BY), is a full-service commercial bank serving small- and medium-sized businesses, financial sponsors, and consumers. Byline Bank has approximately $6.5 billion in assets and operates more than 50 full-service branch locations throughout the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. Byline Bank offers a broad range of commercial and retail banking products and services including small ticket equipment leasing solutions and is one of the top five Small Business Administration lenders in the United States. For more information, visit www.bylinebank.com