United Abilities Tour

Regions Bank has a history of providing accessible products and services, welcoming associates with diverse abilities and supporting community organizations that serve people with disabilities and their families. In late 2020, we launched 'Money Basics for Life' designed to provide financial education to people with disabilities in an accessible way. In 2021, we expanded our work in this community through our 'United Abilities Tours,' named after our long-time community partner, United Ability, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities. This goes above the volunteerism, board service, financial education and financial support provided in the past, and extends classroom training into the real world with student visits to a local Regions Bank branch. The tour starts with how to deposit and withdraw money and the appropriate ID needed to complete a transaction. Students meet bankers and learn how they help customers achieve their financial goals, how to access their accounts and use an ATM, see what it is like to work in a bank. Students visit with an HR associate to learn about careers in the banking industry and opportunities with Regions. Our Disability Services and Outreach Manager shares information about accessible banking to help navigate the banking process. Students are taught the importance of being knowledgeable about their finances and how that relates to being independent, with the goal of putting their classroom instruction to practice so when they visit a bank in the future, they will know what to do, who to talk to and what information they need to have. These lessons will help students be successful managing their financial futures. We have had 7 tours representing 7 public schools and served 116 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Planning will begin in July for the 2022-23 year.