We’re wild about the Oakland Zoo

Communities flourish when their cultural institutions flourish. We know this as bankers and as residents of the Bay Area — staying on the pulse of our community. One such place is the Oakland Zoo, which provides a safe, family-friendly place for enjoyment and education.

As a publicly funded nonprofit, the Conservation Society of California, better known as the Oakland Zoo, needs a financial partner who understands the complexity of its model and the unique role it plays in the community. 

Fremont Bank, the Bay Area's premier community bank, proved a perfect fit. Like the Zoo, we’re a trusted fixture in the community. We understand what it means to live and work here. We’re invested in the future and the future successes of our community. We want a vibrant community with thriving institutions, like the Oakland Zoo. What’s more, along with our reputation for stellar, highly personalized service to all our clients, we offer a division of the bank dedicated to nonprofit banking.

Oakland Zoo knew to look to Fremont Bank because long before they were a client, they were a community partner. As dedicated community members, we get to know the organizations and institutions in the area and build relationships regardless of our banking relationship. That’s as individuals living in the Bay Area and team members of Fremont Bank. You’ll find us at events, visiting the Zoo as patrons, and developing an understanding of who our institutions are, what they need, and what they mean to our community.

Over the years, we've collaborated with Oakland Zoo as a valued client on many projects: a veterinary hospital, the California Trail expansion, and most recently funding the purchase of electric vehicles and replacing a diesel train well past its prime with an all-electric train. Those projects reflect the deep nature of our relationship—we're there in good times and in challenging stretches, too.

Dreaming of — and funding — an expansion

While many of us and our families have long been patrons and visitors of the Oakland Zoo, the vet clinic was the start of our banking relationship. We were among the first to step forward and help finance the Zoo's $10.5M state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, one of the best in the country. The vet clinic now benefits zoos throughout California and other states because it has the technology to handle larger animals.

The vet clinic was considered Phase 1 of what eventually became the California Trail, a plan first conceived in 1992 that looked to double the size of the Zoo and provide a unique focus on California native species: grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, jaguars, wolves, and bald eagles.

The Zoo needed a line of credit to support the ambitious project's fundraising. During fundraising efforts, institutions use lines of credit to show proof of concept to other funding sources, creating confidence that the project can and will be successful.

Unfortunately, the Zoo was not getting a lot of interest from its current bank. Fortunately, Fremont Bank was there. "The clinic allowed us to have a further discussion with the Zoo about its future plans," shared Gene Anderson, Sr. Director, Commercial Underwriting. "Then, we could provide the line of credit– and were thrilled to see other foundations and funding sources begin to come in.

"We have a deep bench of people who understand nonprofit banking but also have personnel to advise on fundraising and new projects. The fact that we are a local bank means that what we do in the community impacts us as much as it does the nonprofit."

Helping through a pandemic

After the California Trail's grand opening in 2018, Zoo visitation skyrocketed. By all accounts, the project was a smashing success.

Then came COVID-19. As many individuals, businesses, and institutions struggled to adapt to stay-at-home guidance, the Zoo was in a difficult position. With no visitors, no cash could come in. However, the animals still required care, and the buildings and grounds required maintenance. Zoo workers became essential workers. 

Fremont Bank was there to help. We stepped in with a line of credit during the initial start of the pandemic. As closures continued, we helped the Zoo secure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds to pay employees. "Our phones were ringing off the hook — but when Nik (Nik Dehejia, Oakland Zoo CEO) called, we leapt to action. We all knew this was like family. We wanted kids to have a zoo to go to after this was all over. We were able to get PPP funds to them in a matter of days. I don't think many other banks had that kind of connection with their clients," said Gene.

Supporting a zoo – and a relationship – for the future

Today, our relationship continues to not just thrive but grow. We stay in constant contact with the Zoo about the maintenance of their existing accounts and their plans for the future. These efforts have enabled the Zoo to continue providing exciting and vital programming to the larger community, including free education programs for Title 1 schools.

The relationship goes beyond account management and programming. Fremont Bank's Executive Vice President and Fremont Bank Foundation President Brian Hughes serves on the board for the Zoo. He shared,

"How do we support the community? By being a good corporate citizen. By giving back in a variety of ways. By staying in the conversation. If the community grows, we'll grow with it." 

Our shareholders and board members share a keen interest in the community because we live here, too. Gene said, "At the end of the day, most of our clients are our neighbors. We really do care about the people we're working with." That's why so many team members, including Gene, are donors. We just really love the Zoo!

"I hear all the time how much people love the Trail, but also that they are parents now bringing their kids to see animals that they used to be amazed by. The Zoo's deep belief in conservation means it works on projects that impact the greater world. It's pretty powerful when you think about how a zoo in Oakland can have a greater impact on the world," said Gene. Fremont Bank shares the values of community citizenship with Oakland Zoo. We are so proud to partner with the Zoo in expanding this magnificent resource and making it accessible to all.

"Fremont Bank has gone beyond providing good banking services. They've also provided advice and expertise.” — Dr. Joel Parrott, former President and CEO, Oakland Zoo

Want to learn more about the California Trail expansion project? Watch this video:

Are you a nonprofit looking for a bank as committed to your community as you are? Let’s talk.