Six banks were recently honored with the American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation for leadership in corporate social responsibility.
The ABA Foundation’s Community Commitment Award was bestowed on banks for embodying the ideals of corporate social responsibility and demonstrating success in measurable terms.
“This year’s recipients have performed meaningful work and inspired others in the process,” Corey Carlisle, executive director of the ABA Foundation, said. “These banks’ extraordinary efforts have improved the lives of consumers, as well as their local communities, and have raised the bar for our industry.”
The 2018 award winners include U.S. Bank, Minneapolis, for its American Dream Home Loans program. The program offers loans for low-to-moderate income borrowers to help them become homeowners.
Citizens Bank in Batesville, Arkansas, received the award for its Impact Independence County program – an initiative that brought together county residents and area leaders to identify ways to kick-start the local economy and improve the overall quality of life.
Eastern Bank in Boston was awarded for its Business Equity Initiative (BEI). BEI received a 3-year, $10 million commitment from Eastern to build out an ecosystem to mitigate wealth inequality in Massachusetts’ and Southern New Hampshire’s Black and Latino communities.
The Bank of Nevada, Las Vegas, was honored for its Green Our Planet program. Through the Green Our Planet program, the bank piloted a program that allowed area students to learn how to grow and harvest fruits and vegetables and create a business out of their school gardens.
Additionally, Old National Bank in Evansville, Indiana, was cited for its Money $afety for Seniors program, which provided clients and community members with the tools to avoid financial abuse of seniors. They partnered with local law enforcement to enhance conviction rates.
Finally, United Bank of Parkersburg, West Virginia, won for its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Action Committee. This initiative connected employees with volunteer opportunities to move the needle on key challenges facing its communities.
The ABA Foundation also presented one individual with the George Bailey Distinguished Service Award, which goes to a non-CEO bank employee who demonstrates outstanding commitment to their customers and community. This year’s winner is Marcus Vasquez, a vice president and fair banking officer for Allegiance Bank in Houston. Vasquez led initiatives on behalf of Allegiance Bank to engage employees in clean up and volunteer efforts after Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston last fall. He also spearheaded the creation of a grant program with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB) top provide quick funding and financial assistance to people who had their homes and businesses destroyed. They were able to provide 41 grants to businesses, homeowners and non-profit organizations totaling $367,000.
Vasquez, as well as representatives from the six award winning banks, will be officially honored at ABA’s Annual Convention in New York City on Oct. 23.