WASHINGTON — The American Bankers Association Foundation has recognized six banks for their noteworthy corporate social responsibility with a 2016 Community Commitment Award. The awards were given to banks for their efforts in categories ranging from affordable housing to community and economic development. Winners will be presented with their award at ABA’s Annual Convention in Nashville on Oct. 16.
The selection committee, made up of national experts in each category, chose winners based on the creativity and thoughtfulness of the bank program. Each program must embody the ideals of corporate social responsibility and demonstrate success in measurable terms.
“This year’s honorees demonstrate the impressive and impactful work of America’s banks,” said Rob Nichols, ABA’s president and CEO. “Their programs highlight an on-going commitment to building thriving, sustainable communities and to enhancing the quality of life for the customers they serve.”
The 2016 award winners are:
Affordable Housing
- National Cooperative Bank, Arlington, Va. for its ROC USA Financing Program, which provides purchase financing for resident-owned manufactured home communities (ROCs). The program offers affordable long-term fixed rate financing and technical assistance to low and moderate-income residents in the community, enabling them to buy and own homes, improve their communities and remain long-term stewards of their neighborhoods.
Community and Economic Development
- TD Bank, Baltimore for its East Baltimore Historic Program, which has helped to improve market and neighborhood conditions in East Baltimore. Since its inception, the initiative has invested more than $40 million to fund the redevelopment of 175 new or rehabilitated homes and consolidated more than 100 vacant lots. Their efforts have helped significantly reduce abandonment rates, improve safety, stimulate market growth and enhance the overall look of the community.
Financial Education
- Triumph Bank, Memphis, Tenn. for its Personal Financial Management with the Boy Scouts of America Program. The program empowers boy scouts from low to moderate-income communities by providing them with in-depth, personal financial education on topics such as saving, setting financial goals, paying for college and the difference between renting and buying a home. It aims to improve the socioeconomic status of the boy scouts and their families by helping them make well-informed financial decisions.
Nontraditional Borrower and Underbanked
- TheBANK of Edwardsville, Fairmont City, Ill. for its Fairmont City Branch Program, which established the first, full-service bilingual banking center in the St. Louis area. The bank provides products and services specifically catering to the needs of the Hispanic population, helping families cash their checks, save money, access car loans and achieve homeownership.
Protecting Older Americans
- Montecito Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara, Calif. for its Preventing Elder Financial Abuse Program, which helps raise awareness and educate older customers about the red flags associated with elder financial abuse. The bank holds regular workshops to engage members of the community in conversations around their financial safety.
Volunteerism
- Old National Bank, Evansville, Ind. for its 100 Men Who Cook Initiative, a fundraising event in which local celebrity chefs volunteer their talents and time to prepare food for the community. Through these activities, the bank has raised more than $3.2 million for local charities.
In addition to the six bank awards, the ABA Foundation will present the George Bailey Distinguished Service Award to David Devine, senior vice president and marketing director, Columbia Bank in Tacoma, Wash. Each year, this award is given to a non-CEO bank employee who demonstrates outstanding initiative, commitment to their customers and community, and inspires others.
In 2015, Devine helped establish the Warm Hearts Winter Drive, an initiative that benefits homeless shelters in local communities throughout Northeast Washington. Devine’s philanthropic efforts have helped collect more than 12,000 articles of winter clothing and raise more than $150,000 in donations to benefit local homeless shelters.
All entries for this year’s Community Commitment Awards will be added to the ABA Foundation’s Banks in their Communities interactive map. The map showcases the corporate social responsibility efforts of banks across the country and allows users to search and view program profiles. Winning and honorable mention entries are also noted.
See below for a complete list of Community Commitment Award honorable mentions.
Affordable Housing
TheBANK of Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Ill.
Florida Community Bank, Weston, Fla.
Gate City Bank, Fargo, N.D.
First National Bank of Omaha, Omaha, Neb.
Community & Economic Development
Resource Bank, N.A., DeKalb, Ill.
F&M Trust, Chambersburg, Pa.
SunTrust Bank, Franklin, Va.
First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Port Angeles, Wash.
Financial Education
Montecito Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Blue Hills Bank, Hyde Park, Mass.
MidFirst Bank, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Community State Bank, Union Grove, Wis.
Nontraditional Borrower/Underbanked
United Bank, Atmore, Ala.
BB&T Bank, Winston Salem, N.C.
LegacyTexas Bank, Plano, Texas
Heritage Bank, Tacoma, Wash.
Protecting Older Americans
People’s United Bank, Bridgeport, Conn.
Thomaston Savings Bank, Thomaston, Conn.
Bank of America, Charlotte, N.C.
Arrow Bank, Glens Falls, N.Y.
Volunteerism
Webster Bank, N.A., Waterbury, Conn.
Berkshire Bank, Pittsfield, Mass.
Sandy Spring Bank, Olney, M.D.
Katahdin Trust Company, Houlton, Maine