The ABA Foundation is seeking submissions for its ninth annual Community Commitment Awards. The awards, one of the industry’s highest honors for extraordinary bank commitment to communities, recognizes innovative, high-impact programs that improve the quality of life for customers and communities banks serve. The entry period ends July 1.
“Over the last year, America’s banks worked tirelessly to serve their customers and communities during a public health crisis and tremendous economic uncertainty,” said Rob Nichols, president and CEO of the American Bankers Association. “While we have always been proud of their efforts, 2020 required banks nationwide to go above and beyond. To recognize this incredible show of support and assistance for communities in need, we encourage banks of all sizes to submit Community Commitment Award entries in all relevant categories.”
Banks interested in submitting Community Commitment Award nominations can enter in one of seven categories ranging from affordable housing to volunteerism, while the George Bailey Award recognizes an individual non-CEO banker demonstrating extraordinary commitment to their community.
“We encourage banks of all sizes to take stock of the many ways their institution supported its customers and communities during an undeniably challenging year,” said Corey Carlisle, executive director, ABA Foundation. “The Community Commitment Awards are an opportunity for ABA to recognize banks across the country for their innovative and thoughtful programs, and to provide a blueprint for others in the industry.”
Banks of all asset sizes are eligible to enter and submissions will be judged by a panel of nationally recognized experts. The categories for 2021 are:
- Affordable Housing;
- Community and Economic Development;
- Financial Education;
- Economic Inclusion;
- Protecting Older Americans;
- Supporting Military Families;
- Volunteerism; and
- The George Bailey Distinguished Service Award, for non-CEO bank employees who demonstrate outstanding service to their bank, industry and community.
Full category descriptions are available here.
For banks interested in learning more about the program and how to submit a successful entry, the ABA Foundation will host a webinar, Best Practices for Preparing an Award-Winning Entry, on May 25 at 2 p.m. ET.
Award winners will be recognized at ABA’s Annual Convention in October, and featured on the Foundation’s “Banks in Their Communities” map, an interactive, searchable map on aba.com that showcases all program entries by state. The map serves as a database for corporate social responsibility efforts in the banking industry and currently features over 900 program profiles from across America.
For an entry form or a list of past winners, visit aba.com/awards. For more information on applying, please contact Melissa Murray at mmurray@aba.com or 202-663-5440.