The ABA Foundation is seeking submissions for its eighth 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 the customers and communities banks serve. The entry period ends July 1.
“Now more than ever, America’s banks are working around the clock to support their customers and communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Rob Nichols, president and CEO of the American Bankers Association. “We know that banks of all sizes were already doing incredible things in their communities before this crisis, and we want to recognize banks of all sizes for their outstanding efforts. We encourage our members to submit entries to showcase their critically important programs.”
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.
“As banks work with their customers and impacted communities during these difficult times, they are responding with creative programs and initiatives that will serve as an inspiration for others to follow,” said Corey Carlisle, executive director, ABA Foundation. “We encourage bank leaders to take stock of what your organizations have accomplished and consider entering for one or more Community Commitment Awards.”
Banks of all asset sizes are eligible to enter and submissions will be judged by a panel of nationally recognized experts. The categories for 2020 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.
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.