The ABA Foundation has announced the six banks recognized for their outstanding commitment to their communities. The ABA Community Commitment Awards — to be presented on Nov. 10 at ABA’s Annual Convention in Los Angeles — are given in six categories to honor innovative, high-impact bank programs and projects that produce lasting results in the communities they serve. Bank award winners and categories were:
- HomeStreet Bank, Seattle, for affordable housing.
- Banco Popular, San Juan, P.R., for community and economic development.
- Old National Bank, Evansville, Ind., for financial education.
- BankPlus, Ridgeland, Miss., for serving nontraditional borrowers and the underbanked.
- First Financial Bank, Abilene, Texas, for protecting older Americans.
- Inland Bank and Trust, Oak Brook, Ill., for volunteerism.
For the second year in a row, the ABA Foundation presented the George Bailey Distinguished Service Award to an individual banker demonstrating outstanding initiative, effectiveness and inspiration to others. The winner of the Bailey Award was Ben Joergens, financial empowerment officer at Old National Bank. Partnering with 27 nonprofit and educational institutions, Joergens’ financial education presentations reach more than 5,000 individuals per year.
