Horizons, Bankers Trust partner for free homebuyer education programs

Classes geared toward minority and low-to-moderate income homebuyers

Horizons CEO Mike Barnhart
Horizons CEO Mike Barnhart. CBJ FILE PHOTO

Horizons and Bankers Trust, Iowa’s largest privately-owned bank, are partnering to address a need for homebuyer financial education in Eastern Iowa.

As part of their ongoing partnership, the two organizations host free homebuyer education classes twice a year, geared toward minority and low-to-moderate income homebuyers. These classes provide education on the financial considerations that go into saving for a home, building credit, the mortgage process, and owning a home.

The next Horizons and Bankers Trust homebuyer education class is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Horizons, located at 819 Fifth St. SE in Cedar Rapids. More information and a registration link is available on Bankers Trust’s website.

“Horizons’ Financial Wellness Center is proud to partner with Bankers Trust to present these workshops as an extension of our counseling and financial literacy programs,” said Mike Barnhart, Chief Executive Officer of Horizons, in a release. “These efforts empower people to reach their financial potential and make a real difference for the families we serve.”

“Bankers Trust understands the disparities in homeownership rates and barriers to homeownership among low- and moderate-income and minority populations and wants to be part of the solution,” added Jack Gonder, senior vice president and Eastern Iowa market president at Bankers Trust. “One way we can help is providing these workshops as an opportunity to learn more about the homebuying process and what it takes to maintain successful homeownership.”

This partnership is part of Bankers Trust’s broader initiative of investing more than $100,000 into similar workshops across each of its markets through 2027, with $35,000 going to Horizons.