The CA DVB Alliance is announcing a $100,000 donation from Union Bank, N.A. to support “Keeping the Promise,” the nation’s largest annual disabled veteran business expo. This substantial donation, to be made over the next three years, is a significant contribution to helping disabled veterans create business opportunity and return to financial independence.

“Keeping the Promise,” presented by the CA DVB Alliance, places disabled veteran entrepreneurs directly across the table from buyers with the state and federal government,  as well as some of the world’s most recognizable business names. This direct networking helps disabled veteran-owned companies create meaningful opportunities to provide goods and services on contract bids. The 2012 “Keeping the Promise” created more than 700 matchmaking sessions between disabled veteran-owned companies and potential customers, and untold numbers of new business relationships.

“We salute Union Bank for their generous donation and offer our heartfelt thanks for their commitment to California’s veterans,” said Gary Herbold, President of the CADVB Alliance. “The bank’s gift offers financial support for veteran rehabilitation and helps turn unemployed veterans into viable, tax-paying business owners. I believe this donation will serve as an inspiration to other donors.”

The 2013 “Keeping the Promise” sponsored by Union Bank is scheduled for May in Southern California and open to all service-disabled veteran owned companies. California is home to approximately 3 million veterans, including 264,000 disabled veterans. Each year for the next ten years 30,000 will return home, with 35-50% disabled from serving the country. Union Bank and the CA DVB Alliance believe that providing veterans with the entrepreneurial opportunity to start their own business will help establish a clear path to financial independence after military service.

“Union Bank is proud to make this commitment to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who have bravely served our nation,” said Richard Chacon, Union Bank Senior Vice President and Director of Supplier Diversity and Development. “Especially in this challenging economy—with veteran unemployment rates many times higher than the national average—we think providing business assistance to veterans is a fitting way to say thank you.”

In addition to its direct donation, Union Bank has identified more than $2 million in contracting opportunities for disabled veteran businesses in California. The bank’s Supplier Diversity and Development Office is actively identifying qualified businesses, helping them prepare bids, and providing professional mentoring.

For more information, please visit www.cadvbe.org and https://www.unionbank.com/global/about/corporate-social-responsibility/supplier-diversity/index.jsp

MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

MUFG Union Bank, N.A., is a full-service bank with offices across the United States. We provide a wide spectrum of corporate, commercial and retail banking and wealth management solutions to meet the needs of customers. We also offer an extensive portfolio of value-added solutions for customers, including investment banking, personal and corporate trust, global custody, transaction banking, capital markets, and other services. MUFG Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, one of the world’s largest financial organizations. The corporate headquarters (principal executive office) for MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, which is the financial holding company and MUFG Union Bank, is in New York City. The main banking office of MUFG Union Bank is in San Francisco, California.

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