FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Grant Beck, Marketing and Communications Manager
Phone: (202) 851-7550
Email: g.beck@nextstepus.org
Hancock Bank and Trust Joins Next Step Network
Western Kentucky-based bank to participate in the SmartMH Program
LOUISVILLE, KY – Wednesday, August 8 – Today, Next Step Network is pleased to announce that Hancock Bank and Trust is joining Next Step’s efforts to promote the use of affordable, factory-built homes and sound financing options for manufactured home buyers. Hancock is a community bank in western Kentucky dedicated to providing services and products to its clients in a caring and professional manner.
“Next Step is excited to have Hancock Bank and Trust join our network of organizations and businesses dedicating to expanding manufactured housing solutions,” said Stacey Epperson, president & founder of Next Step Network. “Partnering with Hancock Bank and Trust – and leveraging their reputation as a respected and community-focused lender – we can help better serve prospective home buyers in western Kentucky.”
Hancock Bank and Trust has served the western Kentucky region for more than 130 years, and has locations in Hancock, Breckinridge, Hopkins and Warren counties. They provide a full range of financial services, but specialize in commercial, consumer and real estate lending activities.
“We are pleased to join the Next Step network dedicated to expanding manufactured housing solutions,” said Danny Coffey, CEO of Hancock Bank and Trust. Next Step allows Hancock Bank to promote the use of affordable, factory-built homes and sound financing options for manufactured home buyers in our market area.”
Next Step members are a part of a national network of individuals, business and organizations that believe that manufactured housing is a viable, affordable, environmentally responsible solution to help solve America’s affordable housing crisis. Our members benefit from Next Step’s work to transform the manufactured housing industry. Network members are dedicated to: delivering education, removing barriers to housing, changing the image of manufactured housing, and advancing policy changes around manufactured housing finance and Duty to Serve that better benefit home buyers and communities.
Next Step’s SmartMH program connects educated homebuyers with financial institutions and manufactured home retailers to increase access to affordable, ENERGY STAR® manufactured homes with fair financing. Freddie Mac has partnered with Next Step to expand the program, while improving access to credit for prepared, manufactured homebuyers.
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About Next Step® Network, Inc.
Next Step® Network, Inc. is a national, nonprofit housing intermediary that works to promote expanded use of factory-built housing as a viable solution to address housing affordability. Our organization mobilizes a national network of mission-driven nonprofits, leaders in the manufactured housing industry and lending institutions serving home buyers and homeowners in their communities. Next Step’s system – Manufactured Housing Done Right® – connects responsible financing, comprehensive homebuyer education and delivery of high-quality, ENERGY STAR® manufactured homes at scale, creating a model that brings more value to the homeowners and communities. Learn more at www.nextstepus.org.
Hancock Bank & Trust
Offices in Hancock, Breckenridge, Hopkins, and Warren Counties, learn more at www.hancockbankonline.com.