BOK Financial to donate $1 million to COVID-19 relief

BOK Financial Corporation will contribute $1 million as part of its efforts in support of COVID-19 relief across its eight-state footprint. The company will direct donations to programs addressing food insecurity and re-employment of laid off and furloughed restaurant and hospitality workers.

The contribution is the centerpiece of the company’s COVID-19 response which also includes assistance for its clients and employees. “The amount of need is unprecedented during this crisis, and we are proud to support local nonprofit organizations that are on the front lines delivering services to our communities’ most vulnerable citizens,” said Steve Bradshaw, president and CEO of BOK Financial Corporation.

In Kansas City, BOK Financial is pleased to provide a $50,000 donation to Operation BBQ Relief as part of its efforts in support of COVID-19 relief. Operation BBQ Relief is addressing food insecurity and re-employment of laid off and furloughed restaurant and hospitality workers in the Kansas City metro. In addition, the company has supported to the Regional Response and Relief Fund as part of its COVID-19 local response.

“One of our top priorities when providing charitable assistance is helping to meet the basic needs of our community, especially during this difficult time, when our most vulnerable are affected,” said Kevin Kramer, BOK Financial Kansas City Market CEO. “It’s been a gift for us to support programs like Operation Restaurant Relief, to assist directly with feeding those in need and those whose jobs have been affected by COVID-19. They were quick to mobilize and introduce this program to serve food insecure families, and we are honored to provide this donation.”

“Operation BBQ Relief is grateful for the generous support of BOK Financial as we expand programs to address food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Stan Hayes, Operation BBQ Relief Co-Founder and CEO. “With the contribution from BOK Financial, we are able to grow the Operation Restaurant Relief program which has proven to be an effective vehicle to provide meals in Kansas City and support the local restaurant industry. The program is giving restaurants a lifeline, hiring back or maintaining staff on payroll, and serving approximately 2,500 meals a day at each restaurant. Thank you, BOK Financial, for joining together with Operation BBQ Relief as we continue to provide the one hot meal that matters.”

The contribution is the centerpiece of the company’s COVID-19 response which also includes assistance for its clients and employees.

Meeting client needs

Throughout the crisis, BOK Financial employees across the footprint have been working nearly around the clock to serve client needs including processing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications. The bank began accepting applications on April 3, the day the Small Business Administration opened its portal, and in less than two weeks, was able to secure $1.8 billion funding for clients.

“I am so proud of our people and the effort they put in to get these funds to the businesses who desperately need the help right now,” said Steve Bradshaw, BOK Financial Corporation President and CEO.

In addition, the company is offering assistance to individuals, mortgage customers and commercial clients. Financial relief is being offered through temporary changes to fees related to excessive withdrawals, overdraft protection fees and late fees.

About BOK Financial Corporation

BOK Financial Corporation is a more than $40 billion regional financial services company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma with $80 billion in assets under management and administration. The company's stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the Global Select market listings (BOKF). BOK Financial Corporation's holdings include BOKF, NA; BOK Financial Securities, Inc., BOK Financial Private Wealth, and BOK Financial Insurance, Inc. BOKF, NA operates TransFund, Cavanal Hill Investment Management and BOK Financial Asset Management, Inc. BOKF, NA operates banking divisions across eight states as: Bank of Albuquerque; Bank of Arkansas; Bank of Oklahoma; Bank of Texas; BOK Financial in Colorado, and Arizona; and Mobank in Kansas and Missouri; as well as having limited purpose offices Nebraska, Milwaukee and Connecticut. Through its subsidiaries, BOK Financial Corporation provides commercial and consumer banking, brokerage trading, investment, trust and insurance services, mortgage origination and servicing, and an electronic funds transfer network. For more information, visit www.bokf.com.

About Operation BBQ Relief

Operation BBQ Relief is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in May 2011 in response to a need for tornado relief efforts in Joplin, MO. Competitive pitmasters from eight different states answered the call to feed displaced families and first responders. Together, they were able to serve over 120,000 meals in a thirteen-day period. This experience of building a network to feed individuals in need has been the inspiration for Operation BBQ Relief. To date, Operation BBQ Relief has provided over 3 million meals throughout the United States and over 260,000 meals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, visit www.obr.org or follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @opbbqrelief.