Award Winners

City/State: Kileen, TX
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Federal Home Loan Bank

First National Bank Texas (FNBT) partnered with Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) to support affordable rental housing, first-time homeownership and housing stability for veterans. In 2025, FNBT secured more than $5.47 million in housing-related grant funding through the FHLB.

Through the Affordable Housing Program, FNBT sponsored four developments in New Mexico that received a combined $5.425 million, creating 227 affordable rental housing units. This expanded access to quality housing in communities experiencing significant affordability challenges.

FNBT facilitated Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership grants that provided $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to income-qualified first-time homebuyers. This helped families overcome one of the largest barriers to homeownership and achieve long-term financial stability through homeownership.

Additionally, FNBT partnered with FHLB Dallas through the Housing Assistance for Veterans program to provide a $22,000 grant that funded critical home repairs for a Central Texas veteran, improving housing safety, stability and quality of life.

City/State: Louisville, KY
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: A Collaborative Approach to Affordable Housing in Elliott County

The Elliott County Revitalization & Affordable Housing Initiative was established to address a critical housing shortage that threatened workforce growth, economic development and long-term community sustainability in one of Kentucky's most rural counties.

Stock Yards Bank & Trust assumed a leadership role in addressing this challenge by partnering with the Kentucky Housing Corporation and local stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive housing needs assessment. Led by director of community engagement & outreach Laurent Houekpon and CRA officer Sarah Stankiewicz, the bank has dedicated more than 90 hours to stakeholder engagement, survey development, data collection, analysis and strategic planning since 2024.

The initiative transformed longstanding concerns about housing into measurable data that can guide future investment and development decisions. The findings now serve as a roadmap for affordable housing development, rehabilitation projects, grant opportunities and policy discussions.

City/State: Thomaston, CT
ABA Asset Size: Small
Program Name: First Time Homebuyer Program

Thomaston Savings Bank launched its First-Time Homebuyer Program in 2017 to help make homeownership more accessible. The program features a reduced interest rate, a low 3% down payment, flexible and alternative underwriting guidelines and no private mortgage insurance requirement. Together, these benefits reflect the bank’s strong commitment to supporting homebuyers in low- and moderate-income communities — helping individuals and families turn the dream of homeownership into a reality.

In 2025, the bank originated nine loans totaling over $2,330,000. The bank also created the First-Time Homebuyer Plus Program and Internal Down Payment Assistance Program to be used in conjunction with either program. The bank originated 16 loans through the First-Time Homebuyer Plus Program totaling over $3,480,000 and offered over $38,000 through the Internal Down Payment Assistance Program in 2025. The bank has seen steady momentum with these programs over the last four years, totaling in over $39,000,000 in support for first-time homebuyers.

City/State: Spokane, WA
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Community Lending Program

Washington Trust Bank introduced its Community Lending Program in 2024. The program was launched with the addition of four new Community Reinvestment Act-focused lenders to the bank’s CRA lending team. Focusing primarily on the Seattle and Portland metro areas where housing affordability issues are most pronounced, the team works to reach underserved populations and promote the possibility of homeownership through community engagement with affordable housing organizations, financial education, personalized guidance for prospective homebuyers (including securing down payment assistance) and the production of CRA-qualified loans. The Community Lending Program exemplifies Washington Trust’s steadfast commitment to investing in its communities, a commitment that has not wavered since the bank’s founding 125 years ago.

City/State: Lancaster, PA
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Fulton Bank Early-Stage Financing Program

Fulton Bank’s Early-Stage Financing Program, delivered through the EMPOWER Community Banking Program, is a powerful example of how financial institutions can drive economic growth, expand opportunity and revitalize underserved neighborhoods. The program was intentionally designed to reach entrepreneurs who are often excluded from early-stage capital, particularly historically underserved businesses and microbusinesses that lack collateral, credit history or generational financial networks.

City/State: Las Vegas, NV
ABA Asset Size: Small
Program Name: Community Spotlight Program

Since 2019, Lexicon Bank's Community Spotlight Program has strengthened Southern Nevada by giving local nonprofit organizations a platform to share their missions, increase awareness and connect with the community. Each month, the bank features different nonprofit organizations serving causes such as food insecurity, education, healthcare, housing, veterans' services, youth development and family support.

More than sponsorship, the program is a long-term partnership. Lexicon Bank supports each featured nonprofit through financial contributions, volunteer service, marketing and community engagement. Organizations are highlighted through the bank's website, social media, email communications, branch locations and client network, helping expand awareness and connect them with new donors, volunteers and advocates.

Bank employees regularly volunteer with featured organizations, and executive leadership actively participates in nonprofit events and community initiatives. Since its launch, the program has featured more than 70 nonprofit organizations and is estimated to have reached more than 150,000 people.

City/Sate: Evansville, IN
ABA Asset Size: Large
Program Name: Empowerment Loan Program

Old National Bank's Empowerment Small Business Loan Program is a commitment to economic inclusion, entrepreneurship and community prosperity. Launched in 2023, the program expands responsible access to capital for eligible small businesses operating in or serving low- to moderate-income and rural communities. To address barriers that limit access to financing, the bank created a structured, relationship-based lending approach that evaluates business opportunities while maintaining prudent risk management and Fair Lending principles.

This program provides loans ranging from $25,000 to $5 million for working capital, equipment purchases, owner-occupied commercial real estate, leasehold improvements and business expansion. Eligibility is based on objective business and geographic criteria, creating pathways to capital in underserved communities. Additionally, business owners receive support from Community Lending Market Executives, commercial lenders, community development professionals and trusted community partners. Since the program’s launch, Old National has approved more than $70 million to nearly 240 entrepreneurs across seven Midwestern markets.

City/State: Vienna, VA
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Community Development Lending Program

The Community Development Lending Program, launched in 2025, is a strategic initiative designed to expand United Bank’s internal capacity to originate, structure and deliver community development loans that address critical needs across United’s footprint. The program equips bank representatives with specialized expertise in Community Reinvestment Act-qualified lending including affordable housing and economic development. Through a structured, six-module curriculum paired with experiential learning, participants develop the skills necessary to identify qualifying opportunities, navigate complex financing structures and build strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations, government entities and community stakeholders.

The program emphasizes practical application, enabling participants to engage directly with community partners, analyze local development strategies and gain exposure to real-world transactions involving layered capital such as Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, New Markets Tax Credits, grants and public funding sources. The program also reinforces United’s role as a trusted community partner, supporting sustainable growth and revitalization efforts in low- and moderate-income communities.

City/State: Wheeling, WV
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Mountaineer Foodbank Partnership

WesBanco Bank's partnership with Mountaineer Food Bank is a comprehensive community and economic development initiative designed to combat food insecurity and strengthen long-term economic stability across the communities they serve. The bank supports Mountaineer Food Bank's mission through strategic financing, philanthropic investment and employee volunteerism.

Notably, the bank played a critical role in financing the expansion of Mountaineer Food Bank facilities, increasing capacity to store, distribute and deliver food resources more efficiently. Additionally, WesBanco team members contribute volunteer hours. This partnership extends beyond hunger relief by addressing the broader social determinants of economic mobility. By ensuring consistent access to nutritious food, the program helps stabilize households, improve health outcomes and supports workforce participation — key factors that contribute to financial stability. Through this collaboration, WesBanco advances its commitment to community reinvestment by supporting infrastructure, strengthening nonprofit capacity and fostering resilient local economies.

City/State: Lowell, AR
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Arvest Bank Bridging the Gap Program

Arvest Bank in Kansas City partnered with local nonprofit, PrepKC, and the Hickman Mills Real-World Learning Center to immerse minority, low- to moderate-income and Title I high school students in a semester-long, academically rigorous case challenge on financial literacy.

The Arvest team provides hands-on mentorship in the classroom every ten days. They guide the students' research while delivering a curriculum called EmpowerEd, produced by The Arvest Opportunity Fund. This training equips students with an understanding of the Community Reinvestment Act, credit, budgeting, banking products and the critical issue of community mistrust in financial institutions.

The program features an experiential kickoff event at the bank and culminates in a formal capstone presentation where students pitch solutions directly to the Arvest community development team. By empowering underserved youth to solve the very financial challenges facing their own neighborhoods, this program transforms students into informed, active agents of financial equity in the community.

City/State: Providence, RI
ABA Asset Size: Large
Program Name: Citizens Money Essentials

Through a combination of community partnerships, colleague volunteerism, charitable investments, digital resources and specialized educational programming, Citizens Financial Group, Inc. delivers trusted, accessible financial education that meets people where they are.

Citizens Money Essentials, the bank's financial education program, launched in 2025 to expand access to high-quality financial education through nonprofit organizations, schools, workforce development agencies and community partners. The program provides practical, engaging financial education for consumers, youth and small businesses that can be delivered in person or virtually and is available in English, Spanish and Chinese.

The program includes partnerships with organizations such as Junior Achievement USA, virtual higher education financing workshops through the college-bound Citizens team and free online financial education resources through Citizensbank.com, providing ongoing access to trusted information beyond the classroom. In addition, the bank invests in nonprofit organizations through grants and charitable giving, helping expand the reach of financial education and local communities.

City/State: Hays, KS
ABA Asset Size: Small
Program Name: 5th Grade Financial Education Lesson Series

Golden Belt Bank provides a series of financial education lessons to 5th graders throughout Kansas. Bank employees meet with each 5th grade class three times over the course of an agreed upon time frame (usually several months) in their classrooms. The fourth and final lesson is taught during a field trip to one of the Golden Belt Bank branches. Each lesson has a different focus with the field trip activities pulling on that prior knowledge. The lesson topics are budgeting, savings and responsible borrowing.

City/State: Lincoln, NE
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: UBT's Financial Literacy Program

In 2020, Union Bank & Trust launched its Financial Literacy Program in Lincoln, Nebraska, with the simple goal of making financial education accessible, practical and even fun. The program expanded into Omaha, Nebraska, in 2025, adding another staff member to facilitate its efforts.

In 2025, the Financial Literacy Program hosted 87 workshops drawing 1,242 attendees. 102 hours were spent educating community members about finances and 24 different community partnerships were fostered. This past year, the program launched its inaugural Scholars Academy scholarship program, selecting six graduating high school seniors demonstrating financial need for a day-long college financial readiness workshop. Upon completion, each student received a $1,000 scholarship.

The bank also provided $560,000 toward the Learn to Dream and People Obtaining Prosperity scholarships, which both offer economically disadvantaged students the opportunity to complete up to 60 semester credit hours at select Southeast Community College campuses without paying any tuition or fees.

City/State: New York, NY
ABA Asset Size: Large
Program Name: Affordable Housing Resident Initiative

Citibank’s Affordable Housing Resident Initiative, piloted in 2025, is focused on credit inclusion and building economic mobility for low-income residents in affordable housing developments. The pilot included three nonprofit affordable housing providers operating in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Washington, D.C.

This initiative includes a three-pronged approach, the first of which is a rent reporting program. In partnership with nonprofit Credit Builders Alliance, residents get a low-risk opportunity to establish or improve their credit. The second piece is financial education. Bank volunteers facilitate workshops on budgeting, homeownership, financial literacy for all ages and more — tailored to the needs of each housing site. Community pop-ups round out this initiative. These half-day events at affordable housing sites have music, food, community resources and Citibank representatives on site — available for one-on-one conversations. In collaboration with FICO, each pop-up features a workshop for adults, focused on credit scores and rent reporting.

City/State: Tyler, TX
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Bonton Farms Financial Resource Center

The Bonton neighborhood in South Dallas, Texas, has long faced generational poverty, inadequate financial services, lacking in healthcare and limited employment opportunities. Recognizing the need for financial inclusion, Southside Bank partnered with nonprofit Bonton Farms in 2021 to unite local financial institutions to bring lasting change through collaboration, not competition.

The Community Financial Resource Center, which opened in April 2025, is where financial institutions rotate time, talent and resources to provide a microloan program, an employee savings program, personal financial coaching and on-site financial education. A local Bonton Farms employee serves as the center’s financial resource manager — working with bank partners to schedule various financial empowerment sessions. Since 2021, more than 200 people have attended financial empowerment sessions. Approximately 300 have visited the resource center for financial education.

City/State: Louisville, KY
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Banking Without Barriers: The Fierce Center Financial Inclusion Initiative

The Fierce Center Limited Service Financial Office is an innovative financial inclusion initiative established through a partnership between Stock Yards Bank & Trust and the Fierce Center in Eastern Indianapolis. It is designed to be a gateway to affordable banking products, financial education and connections to bank services regardless of an individual’s banking relationship.

Rather than relying on a traditional branch model, the bank embedded financial services within an organization already known and trusted by the local community. Supported by the bank's executive leadership, Community Engagement team, CRA function, retail banking staff and community partners, the office offers educational programming and personalized assistance designed to increase financial confidence and expand access to safe, affordable financial services. Recent programming has included sessions focused on fraud prevention, homeownership and basic banking education.

City/State: Birmingham, AL
ABA Asset Size: Large
Program Name: Local Initiatives Support Corporation Partnership

Many rural communities and historically underserved neighborhoods face systemic barriers to financial inclusion. Regions Bank’s partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation directly addresses these barriers by expanding equitable access to capital and financial infrastructure through community-based organizations that understand local needs. The bank supports this model through strategic lending and philanthropy — so the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and its local partners can develop and preserve affordable housing, support small businesses and entrepreneurs, improve community financial health and economic mobility and strengthen nonprofit and developer capacity.

The Regions Community Development Corporation provided a $5 million line of credit to support the Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s community development initiatives, along with a $200,000 Regions Foundation grant to Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation to help address the growing need for safe, affordable housing in rural communities across Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

City/State: Ridgewood, NY
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Financial Inclusion

Across New York City and surrounding communities, underbanked individuals and families continue to face barriers to affordable banking services, credit-building opportunities, homeownership and financial education. Ridgewood Savings Bank addresses these challenges to expand financial opportunity for all.

Through partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations, community groups and government leaders, the bank delivers practical financial education directly into the communities it serves. Programs such as StriveHigher's Kids Building Wealth initiative, The Growth Corner and the High School of Art and Design's Artist Youth Entrepreneurs Program help students and families gain the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed financial decisions.

The bank served as a founding participant in the late-2025 announcement of New York City's new In-School Banking Program, a partnership with the New York City Mayor's Office and Board of Education designed to help educate many thousands of public school children on financial literacy in schools across New York City.

City/State: Bethany, MO
ABA Asset Size: Small
Program Name: BTC Bank Elder Fraud Awareness Program

In response to the growing threat of financial fraud targeting older Americans, BTC Bank launched the BTC Bank Elder Fraud Awareness Program to educate seniors, caregivers, community members and banking professionals on how to identify, avoid and report fraud.

Since its inception, the program has delivered 48 fraud awareness presentations to approximately 1,801 participants across Missouri, Iowa and virtual platforms. Audiences have included senior centers, churches, civic organizations, community groups, professional associations and banking industry organizations. Topics include elder financial exploitation, impersonation scams, romance scams, identity theft, money mule schemes, cryptocurrency fraud and emerging fraud trends.

Beyond education, BTC Bank actively assists potential fraud victims by working with customers, families, employees, and law enforcement to prevent losses and protect vulnerable individuals. Through education, collaboration and direct intervention, the BTC Bank Elder Fraud Awareness Program helps safeguard older Americans from financial exploitation.

City/State: Charles City, Iowa
ABA Asset Size: Small
Program Name: Fraud Talk Program

In 2023, the Charles City Lions Club approached First Security Bank and Trust with a request: to speak about fraud and how people can protect themselves. They did, and bank employees shared real-world examples of fraud they see in their roles and the practical ways individuals can stay safe.

An audience member invited them to speak at the local senior center. Then, another request came from a senior center 40 miles away. Soon, the bank’s marketing team stepped in to support the effort with branded materials, a landing page and tools to track engagement and results. Now, the Fraud Talk program has expanded to reach more than 650 attendees.

As fraud becomes more sophisticated, Fraud Talks meet a critical need by bringing free, accessible and easy-to-understand education directly into the community. Through engaging presentations, relatable examples and practical tools, the program empowers individuals to recognize scams before they happen.

City/State: McLean, VA
ABA Asset Size: Small
Program Name: Wrapping our Seniors Up with Love Program

Elder financial abuse has become a national crisis. Diane Beirne, director of corporate social responsibility at Primis Bank, and Alison Martin, assistant commonwealth’s attorney of Henrico County, have collaborated to make a difference. Along with support from local police and more local organizations, they’re educating seniors and their loved ones on the dangers of elder financial abuse — and helping them identify common scams.

City/State: Winter Garden, FL
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Seacoast Bank Financial Wellness Program

Through a combination of research-driven content and interactive delivery, the Seacoast Bank Financial Wellness Program equips participants with practical tools to better manage their finances, build savings, strengthen credit and protect against fraud.

The program meets people where they are — delivering workshops in their places of work, school or community. Sessions are offered both in person and virtually, ensuring broad reach and flexibility for diverse audiences, including employees, students and community members across varying life stages.

Content is continuously refined based on participant feedback, emerging financial trends and community needs, ensuring each session is relevant, actionable and results oriented. By focusing on real-life application, participants leave with clear next steps to improve their financial well-being.

A cornerstone of the program’s success is its strong network of partnerships with businesses, nonprofits and educational institutions.

City/State: Shawnee, OK
ABA Asset Size: Small
Program Name: Fraud Fighters Program

Sovereign Bank’s Fraud Fighters program is a community-centered fraud awareness and prevention initiative designed to help seniors and consumers recognize scams, safeguard personal information and confidently navigate an increasingly digital financial landscape. Through ongoing education, outreach and proactive fraud prevention tools, the program equips individuals with practical knowledge to identify suspicious activity and reduce the risk of financial loss before it occurs.

The initiative focuses on fraud tactics that disproportionately target seniors, such as impersonation scams, phishing, fraudulent phone calls, identity theft, check fraud and financial exploitation. Through educational materials, social media outreach, community presentations and weekly Fraud Fighters radio segments, the program delivers clear, accessible guidance that keeps consumers informed and protected from evolving threats. By meeting people where they are, both in person and over the airwaves, Fraud Fighters strengthens financial safety across the communities Sovereign Bank serves.

City/State: Wellsboro, PA
ABA Asset Size: Small
Program Name: Giving Back, Giving Together - Honor our Heroes

Giving Back, Giving Together is C&N Bank's teammate-led community engagement program. Each year, teammates and community members nominate causes affecting their communities. After teammates and the community select the annual cause through a public vote, local teams choose nonprofit partners and build relationships that address their greatest needs.

The focus of the 2025-2026 campaign is Honoring Our Heroes, recognizing that supporting active-duty military members, veterans and their families requires showing up. Working alongside 22 local veteran-serving organizations, teammates organized fundraisers, volunteered time and supported initiatives including wheelchair ramps, transportation to medical appointments, service dog training, care packages for deployed service members, therapeutic programs and memorial trips that improve the quality of life for military families. During this campaign, teammates raised more than $119,000, donated more than 1,500 essential items and contributed nearly 200 volunteer hours in support of veterans and military families.

City/State: Killeen, TX
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: First Heroes National Bank

First Heroes National Bank is dedicated to improving the financial well-being of active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses and military families.

In 2025, the bank delivered 321 financial education classes reaching 18,075 soldiers and family members on budgeting, credit management, debt reduction, auto buying and saving, and provided free financial counseling through certified counselors and conducted deployment readiness briefings for 2,060 participants.

The bank partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas to provide 13 HAVEN housing grants totaling $29,523.64 for disabled veterans needing home repairs and accessibility improvements, assisted 577 customers through Credit Builder Loans, issued 9,206 Smart Cash Loans totaling more than $1.3 million and opened 450 Power Savings Accounts. The bank also supported 92 military families and 206 children through its annual AUSA Toy Drive and awarded $11,600 in scholarships to military-affiliated students.

City/State: Clarksville, TN
ABA Asset Size: Small
Program Name: Legends Lift Program

As the community’s only locally owned bank, Legends Bank in Clarksville, Tennessee, is uniquely positioned to understand the needs of military families — the main branch sitting just 12 miles from Fort Campbell’s Gate 1. Soldiers, retirees and their loved ones comprise a significant share of the bank’s customers and team members. Many military heroes face their toughest battles at home — especially financial hardship and food insecurity. Legends Lift is the bank’s dedicated network of bank employees, partners, and volunteers focused on meeting those needs, from combating military food insecurity to responding quickly to disasters. Now in its third year, Legends Lift partners with service organizations to deliver essentials like food, water and household supplies to veterans and families in crisis.

City/State: Glen Allen, VA
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: Community Impact Maker Program

The Community Impact Maker program is Atlantic Union Bank’s enterprise-wide volunteer program designed to connect teammate engagement with meaningful community outcomes. Launched in 2018, the program aligns volunteer efforts with the bank’s community impact plan and Community Reinvestment Act priorities, ensuring service is both strategic and sustained.

The program uses a structured model that includes a Volunteer Ambassador Network, which drives local engagement by connecting teammates with community needs, and Board Connect, which places teammates on nonprofit boards to strengthen leadership and capacity.

Volunteer hours have increased from approximately 2,600 in 2018 to more than 16,700 in 2025, with over 1,200 teammates and nearly 1,000 nonprofit organizations engaged annually. Recognition efforts continue to grow, reinforcing a culture where service is valued and visible across the organization.

City/State: Helena, MT
ABA Asset Size: Small
Program Name: Rock Solid Community Outreach Program

Rock Solid Community Outreach is the driving force behind Bank of the Rockies’ commitment to the overall health, wellbeing and long-term success of the communities they serve. At the heart of the program is a commitment to employee volunteerism. Every employee receives 32 hours of paid volunteer time annually, creating opportunities to serve causes and organizations that matter most to them. This encourages active engagement while reinforcing the importance of giving back through service, advocacy and outreach.

By encouraging their teams to share their skills, talents, experiences and leadership, the program creates meaningful opportunities to support schools, strengthen nonprofits, revitalize neighborhoods and improve quality of life throughout the community. This strengthens collaboration and deepens relationships across offices, departments and communities, creating a cooperative spirit grounded in integrity, dignity and respect.

City/State: Jacksonville, FL
ABA Asset Size: Medium
Program Name: EverBank Builds Program

EverBank Builds is EverBank’s enterprise-wide community impact platform that is focused on three core pillars: financial education, community development and associate empowerment. EverBank Builds initiatives advance these core pillars through strategic partnerships, volunteerism and targeted investments.

EverBank Builds works with organizations such as Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and Thrive Scholars to expand access to financial literacy, workforce development, affordable housing and career readiness opportunities in the communities in which the bank operates.

Since the program’s launch, EverBank Builds evolved from a community engagement initiative rooted in Jacksonville, Florida, into a national platform. In 2025, associates contributed nearly 26,000 volunteer hours in support of nonprofit and community organizations nationwide. Building on this momentum, EverBank committed to bettering 1 million futures through financial education by 2030.