34 MAY / JUNE 2020 Aimee Leeper Communications & Marketing Officer CRA Partners Aimee.Leeper@ shcpfoundation.org CRA Partners is a Preferred Service Provider of the Indiana Bankers Association. PRODUCTS & SERVICES PROFILE Hoosier Bankers Protecting Senior Citizens Fellow Hoosiers can be proud of the example a number of community banks are setting by protecting those in the state that are among the most vulnerable – senior citizens residing in nursing home facilities. Elder abuse is a growing problem; like the rest of the nation, Indiana is experiencing a significant population change due to the aging of the Baby Boomer generation. By the year 2025, this entire generation will be 60 and over, with the largest population growth occurring in those 85 and older. As the population ages, scams targeting the elderly increase. Currently, eight banks in Indiana sponsor the Senior Crimestoppers program and earn CRA credit for doing so. Their funds are protecting over 2,500 seniors living in nursing homes, HUD facilities and veterans’ homes in the state: • Centier Bank, Merrillville • Old National Bank, Evansville • First Farmers Bank and Trust, Converse • Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, French Lick • German American Bank, Jasper • State Bank of Lizton, Brownsburg • Lake City Bank, Warsaw • Famers and Mechanics Federal, Bloomfield. Jamie Shinabarger, president and CEO of Springs Valley Bank & Trust Company, said, “Our partnership enables us to offer solid and safe community development loan, investment or grant options, and a Senior Crimestoppers Program designed to provide a safe and secure environment for our senior citizens. Springs Valley is proud to be a part of this program.” Similarly, Centier Bank’s Brad Roubitchek said, “With CRA Partners, we have enjoyed the opportunity to put an investment in place that allows us direct contact with the people we are serving in our communities.” CRA Partners, powered by The Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation, is now offering two additional programs bankers can participate in, regardless of their need for CRA credit. First is Senior Sentry, an educational program for facility staff, loved ones and caregivers, featuring a dynamic, fact-filled training video on how to recognize and prevent elder financial abuse. This is particularly relevant now as we contend with the COVID-19 virus and all the scams that have popped up around it that seniors can be vulnerable to. Benefits to your bank and your community include: • Protects local community members near you against fraud; • Creates goodwill in the community; • Positive PR. “Banks already have access to training materials on financial abuse for their own employees,” said Terry Rooks, president of Senior Crimestoppers. “The gap is in training for those that have the closest contact with America’s elder population, housing facility staff members. Facilities administrators appreciate having a resource like this that adds a level of security to their residents.” In addition to Senior Sentry, also new is Senior Secure, a program directed toward senior housing facility staff and residents that includes both educational and protective components: Continued on facing page.
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