Hoosier Banker 11 Giving a voice to associates in the bank’s charitable donations helps ensure that funds apply where needed most, as well as strengthening the team’s connection to community. These connections also build the bank’s reputation for customer service. Community First Bank of Indiana, Kokomo Holding to a core belief of making its community a better place to live and do business, Community First Bank of Indiana invests in others – businesses and nonprofits alike – to empower them to have a greater impact on the community. The bank takes a holistic approach to community outreach by supporting families, mentoring the next generation, equipping sports leagues, feeding the hungry, protecting animals, providing scholarships and supporting economic development. At the beginning of each year, the marketing team works with nonprofits to determine needs and set budgets, and employees are encouraged to submit service records for rewards. Associates also may participate in a CFB Cares committee, contribute $5 on Fridays in exchange for wearing jeans, and have the opportunity to engage in service projects on designated closure days. In 2019 the bank gave some 6,000 hours of service, with employees contributing more than $8,500 and the marketing budget supporting over $100,000 in donations. awarded the same amount to all 17 causes nominated. Employees also personally provided groceries and gifts to four area families for the Christmas season, and baked more than 1,200 holiday sweets to deliver to area shut-ins and nursing homes. Bedford Federal Savings Bank “Where Community Comes First” is not only the slogan of Bedford Federal Savings Bank, it also serves as the bank’s guiding principle of committing to community through leadership, volunteerism and monetary donations. In 2019 Bedford Federal provided approximately $99,000 in financial assistance to benefit more than 65 organizations. One project was hosting an eight-week school supply drive for each elementary through high school in Lawrence County, during which employees donated a different school supply item each week. Additionally, some customers were inspired to participate. The bank also razed and renovated property adjacent to the main office, providing parking and green space for downtown Bedford, and it created an ongoing co-op advertising campaign to give community organizations the opportunity to advertise for free in local media outlets. In 2019 Bedford Federal had 16 employees and board members serving 29 organizations in various capacities. Direct engagement helps employees and board members recognize and address community needs. Bippus State Bank, Huntington Committed to fulfilling its mission with service beyond words, Bippus State Bank uplifts the citizens and businesses of its community in various ways, including giving priority to local enterprises when making purchases and conducting other business. The bank also provides financial contributions to area organizations, both profit and nonprofit, for community support. The bank’s popular Jeans Fund takes place on Fridays, when employees may wear jeans in exchange for $2 donations. The success of the program is driven by direct support of staff, who determine where the collections will go and handle the logistics. The program provides more than $2,000 donated per year, for a total of over $20,000 donated over the course of the program’s lifetime. Gifts are wrapped and ready for area families adopted for the holidays by employees of Bath State Bank. A school supply drive hosted by Bedford Federal Savings Bank provides for students in Lawrence County. Employees of Bippus State Bank donate each year to Love INC of Huntington County to bring holiday cheer to children. Community First Bank of Indiana funded the creation of a community patio at Ivy Tech Community College-Kokomo.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==