Since 2006, Signature has supported more than 1,000 organizations while strengthening the communities it serves
When Signature was founded in 2006, its mission centered on building meaningful relationships with business owners and entrepreneurs. But from the beginning, our founders also believed a strong bank should contribute to something larger than its balance sheet.
Communities thrive when businesses, nonprofits and community organizations work together. Over the past two decades, Signature has embraced that responsibility by supporting organizations that expand opportunity, strengthen neighborhoods and help individuals build brighter futures.
A philosophy rooted in relationships
Executives Mick O’Rourke, Kevin Bastuga and Bryan Duncan guide the bank on the idea that relationships should extend beyond transactions. That same principle shapes how the bank engages with the communities where its clients and employees live and work.
"From the beginning, we wanted Signature to be the kind of financial institution that shows up for the communities it serves," said Bryan Duncan, Executive Vice President of Signature, a division of Esquire Bank, N.A. "When the communities around us grow stronger, the businesses we serve grow stronger too. That’s why supporting local organizations has never been separate from our work – it’s part of how we build lasting relationships."
Over the years, Signature's charitable giving has touched a wide range of causes, from education and youth development to disability services and food access. Many of those efforts have grown into long-standing partnerships built through consistent involvement and a shared commitment to making a difference.
Meaningful partnerships close to home
Some of those partnerships have become especially personal. Misericordia Heart of Mercy, a Chicago nonprofit providing residential and support services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has long been close to the team's heart. Employees have supported Misericordia through financial contributions, volunteer efforts and its Candy Days fundraiser, with the downtown branch serving as a counting station where volunteers gather, track donations and share a meal together.
The Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full college scholarships and housing to hardworking caddies with financial need, holds that same kind of deep personal significance. The connection runs deep: several employees are proud Evans Scholars themselves, and Mick O'Rourke, President of Signature, a division of Esquire Bank, N.A., serves as Treasurer of the Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation. The team regularly participates in WGA and Evans Scholars Foundation fundraising events, including golf invitationals and the annual Green Coat Gala, helping support scholarships for students across the country.
"Education opens doors that can change the trajectory of someone's life," said O'Rourke. "Organizations like the Evans Scholars Foundation create those opportunities. When we support causes like this, we are investing in future leaders, and that has always felt like the right thing to do."
Expanding the impact
Signature's community presence extends well beyond its closest partnerships. The financial institution has been a long-time supporter of Big Shoulders Fund, which strengthens Chicago's network of Catholic schools in underserved communities through scholarships, school support and volunteer efforts. Employees have also participated in Mercy Home for Boys & Girls Job Skills Seminars, helping young people prepare for interviews and future careers. And over the years, charity golf tournaments have offered another way to give back, with employees supporting organizations such as Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Alzheimer's Association, Boys Hope Girls Hope and others.
A culture of giving back
"Some of the most rewarding moments for our team come from volunteering together," said Kevin Bastuga, Executive Vice President of Signature, a division of Esquire Bank, N.A. "When you spend time with the people these organizations serve, it reminds you why showing up in person matters."
That sentiment extends well beyond leadership. Community involvement has become part of who the team is, showing up in countless ways across every branch and every season of the year, from organizing food and Thanksgiving donation drives for A Just Harvest Food Pantry and joining the Village of Niles spring community cleanup, to volunteering at Border Tails Rescue and so much more.
"Some of the most meaningful moments happen when employees come together for causes they care about," said Wynne Terlizzi, Vice President of Treasury Management Client Service and Support Manager and an active leader in many of the Signature's volunteer efforts. "Those efforts reflect the kind of team we have built here."
Since 2006, Signature has contributed more than $1.33 million in support across more than 1,000 organizations. Each contribution serves a different mission, but all share a common thread: strengthening the communities where the Signature's employees and clients live and work.
Continuing the commitment
In the past two decades, our financial institution has grown, but our underlying philosophy remains unchanged: success should be shared.
“The relationships we’ve built over the past two decades extend well beyond banking,” said O’Rourke. “Our clients are part of these communities, our employees raise their families here and the organizations we support help make these places stronger.”
Looking ahead, Signature plans to continue investing in organizations that create meaningful impact, whether through financial support, volunteer service or long-term partnerships.
Because when a financial institution grows alongside the communities it serves, the benefits reach far beyond business. That was true in 2006, and it remains true today.
