On Wednesday evening, CCIP J-1 interns (www.theccip.com) had dinner with Mark Ricca, the president and CEO of First American International Bank. It was a special opportunity to learn how the bank interacts with and supports the community.

FAIB was founded in 1999, specifically with the purpose of serving the Chinese-American immigrant population in New York City. From its first branch in Brooklyn, the bank has grown to include multiple branches in Queens and Manhattan. The staff is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and multiple Chinese dialects.

"It's impressive to see how the Chinese population in New York City has built such a strong community," a student leader said.

Mr. Ricca's more than 25 years of business experience includes expertise in finance and law, with a special focus on community banking. He was the managing partner at Ricca & Donnelly and is currently a professor. His involvement in the Chinatown community includes being on the board of the Chinatown YMCA and a director and secretary of the Chinese American Bankers Association.

After dinner and Mr. Ricca's talk, the exchange visitors had a better understanding of how businesses can benefit the community.

"It's very important that a business gives back to the community it serves," a student leader explained of what he had learned from Mr. Ricca's talk. "Neither one can be successful without the other."