Specifically, it will provide more than $50 million in mortgage and homeimprovement loans at below market interest rates to low- and moderate-incomecensus tracts, including multifamily properties, and $25 million in smallbusiness loans. Both of these programs join Mayor John Street's ongoingNeighborhood Transformation Initiative.

Another $26 million will go toward financing property acquisition related tocommunity development over the next five years. The bank's program alsoincludes $850,000 in grants for technical assistance for small businessesand the initiation of "Clean and Green" projects. The latter are based on amodel for reclaiming neglected land that was developed by the PA HorticulturalSociety.

Stephen D. Steinour, chairman and CEO of Citizens, announced the pledge atthe offices of the Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises, Inc., anon-profit community development corporation that has invested and leveragedmore than $50 million in affordable housing and business development in twoinner city neighborhoods.