Consultative Banking Case Study: Forging Financial Stability for Irvine International Academy

Line of Credit Maintains Highest Quality Education for Students

At Endeavor Bank, we believe great banking helps great organizations do even greater things. That’s why we were proud to provide a $1.5 million line of credit to Irvine International Academy, a Mandarin-English immersion charter school preparing students for the future through STEM education, real-world projects, and industry partnerships.

Like many growing charter schools, Irvine International Academy faced challenges with the timing of public funding, creating gaps in cash flow and uncertainty in covering ongoing expenses. Endeavor Bank’s Senior Vice President and Team Leader Kathy Gonzales worked closely with school leadership to understand their financial cycles and structure a flexible credit solution to help bridge these gaps and support daily operations.

For Endeavor Bank, it’s more than a loan — it’s an opportunity to stand behind those making a meaningful impact.

“By partnering with organizations that uplift our community, we’re helping build a stronger future for everyone,” said Steve Sefton, President of Endeavor Bank. “This is community banking in action.”

Irvine International Academy Director Dr. Amy Kernan shared:

“As a Mandarin-English immersion charter school, ensuring financial stability while maintaining the highest quality education for our students is our top priority. Like many growing schools, we face challenges with cash flow timing due to the structure of public funding. Thanks to Endeavor Bank, we secured a line of credit that has provided us with the flexibility and confidence to manage our operational expenses without disruption."

Endeavor Bank truly understands the unique financial needs of charter schools. Their team was knowledgeable, responsive, and committed to helping us find the right solution. With this funding, we can continue to invest in our students, faculty, and programs without the stress of short-term cash flow gaps. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership, consultative approach to solutions and highly recommend them to other schools looking for tailored financial guidance.”

Dr. Kernan’s words remind us why this partnership matters: when schools have the financial flexibility to focus on their mission, students and communities thrive.

We’re honored to support Irvine International Academy and the visionary educators behind it — and proud to help other mission-driven organizations achieve financial stability through consultative banking.

Interested in learning how Endeavor Bank can help your organization achieve financial stability? Contact us today to start a conversation.