Twin Cities Financial Firms Speak Out After Floyd's Killing, Protests

News June 01, 2020 at 03:41 PM
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Ameriprise headquarters in Minneapolis (Credit: Ameriprise)

In Minneapolis, appeals for peace were made Monday from the brother of George Floyd, a black man who died as a white police officer pinned his neck down a week ago. Such calls also have been also been made by financial services firms based in the region. 

The killing have sparked several nights of protests that have turned violent in Minneapolis and other cities across the U.S.

Appearing at the intersection in south Minneapolis where his brother's life ended, Terrence Floyd said: "In every case of police brutality the same thing has been happening. You have protests, you destroy stuff … so they want us to destroy ourselves. Let's do this another way," according to The Associated Press. 

RBC Wealth Management said Monday that the community and country are "reeling after the senseless death of George Floyd."

"It's clear that there remains a tremendous amount of work to do here in the Twin Cities and across the country to eliminate racism and inequities," it explained in a statement.

"We're working to provide more information on how we are supporting our employees, how they can support one another, and how we will stand with the communities that have been most impacted by these events," added the firm, which as about 2,000 advisors nationwide.

US Bancorp, which includes a wealth management unit, says its staff members and executives "take the safety of our employees very seriously and are heartbroken by these recent events."

The bank's commitment "to diversity, equity and inclusion is core to the values of our company, and we will continue to work with local leaders to help our community heal," it added in a statement. 

It also said two of its branches in Minneapolis were damaged on Wednesday and remain closed as of Monday. 

Ameriprise Financial said its leaders and staff are "deeply saddened by the devastating events in the Twin Cities and the unrest across the country," according to a statement.

Most Ameriprise staff and its nearly 9,900 advisors are "working remotely," the firm explained "and for the small number who are working from the office, we are making decisions based on local safety conditions and working with them to ensure they remain safe."

Joint Support

Several financial organizations expressed their support of the health care system Children's Minnesota and its stand against acts of racism and violence.

"As business leaders in Minnesota committed to the principles of greater equity, diversity and inclusion in our companies and in our community, we are deeply saddened and horrified by the recent death of Mr. George Floyd," they explained in a press release signed by 28 local executives.

The remarks were endorsed by Chad Abraham of Piper Sandler Cos., Christopher M. Hilger of Securian Financial Group, Andrew Cecere of US Bank and Laurie Nordquist of Wells Fargo Minnesota.

"His death while being restrained by Minneapolis police officers is yet another senseless loss of life — one that reflects deeply ingrained, long-standing injustice within our society. We are encouraged by the quick response of the authorities in terminating the officers and launching an investigation," they added.

"The repeated occurrence of racially charged events of this nature are contrary to the close-knit employment and residential communities we desire to have in Minnesota," the 28 leaders said. "We are committed to taking steps to eliminate the repeat of events like this in our society and committed to investing in substantive change in our organizations and the communities we serve to address racial inequities and social justice. Change has to start today, and it needs to start with us."

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