ABA Banking Journal
The American Bankers Association today announced that it will donate a total of $45,000 to help communities in California recover from the most devastating wildfires in the state’s history. The money will be donated to three different funds created by California banks — Tri Counties Bank, Golden Valley Bank and Bank of the West — to help those affected by the fires, including bank employees.
Both Tri Counties Bank and Golden Valley Bank are headquartered in Chico, Calif. — the heart of the fire zone in Northern California — and at least 40 employees of the two banks lost their homes to the fire. Bank of the West has operations and employees in both Northern and Southern California that were affected by the fires. In the aftermath of the disaster, banks have helped lead the business community’s response, with Wells Fargo donating $1.75 million, JPMorgan Chase contributing $1 million and Bank of America donating $350,000 to relief efforts.
“The fires may be contained, but the devastation caused by the California wildfires continues,” said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. “With our contributions, we are joining banks in California and across the country in doing what we can to help fire victims, including banking colleagues, who have lost everything. We urge banks, bankers and bank customers everywhere to consider donating to these funds or other ongoing relief efforts in the state.”