Hoosier Banker 13 Bank of America, Indianapolis, believes the true story of banking is to provide communities with the lending, investing and giving they need to remain vibrant and vital. In determining the highest impact for financial investments, the bank engages with community leaders and employees to understand the community’s needs, then uses that information to develop a strategic plan for philanthropic investment. Through partnerships with nonprofits, charitable programs and the power of employee volunteers, the bank works to strengthen communities and advance racial equality and economic opportunity. Employees are also encouraged to remain active in their communities and advocate for the bank’s involvement when a need arises. Many bank employees are involved in local nonprofit boards and committees in addition to volunteering with community organizations. The bank gives employees up to two hours per week of paid time off to volunteer with managerial approval. Bank employees logged over 4,200 volunteer hours in 2021. Since 1895, Centier Bank, Merrillville, has been a steward of the community. Besides the corporate dollars it donates on a regular basis, the bank incentivizes employees by providing a paid day off so they can volunteer, and rewards associates who acquire certain levels of volunteer hours with bonus time off. Additionally, the bank tries to incorporate nonprofits and outside organizations into its day-to-day operations, whether it’s a casual-for-acause day or a donation matching program. These efforts are designed to make corporate giving, volunteerism and community outreach fun, feasible and favorable. Having a footprint across 11 counties requires the bank to focus on broader needs to see where it can be of service. The bank tracks how many organizations and how many communities it touches throughout the year, both through dollars and volunteerism, by looking at total hours and total volunteer participation rates. The bank also engages a philanthropic adviser group to quantify the impact of all areas of community outreach. DeMotte State Bank has established three Pillars of Giving to guide its community service: community reinvestment, prioritizing education and commitment to service. From officers to entry-level staff, all bank staff is encouraged to engage with their communities and invest their time and talents in volunteer efforts. In 2021, a group of bank employees mapped out an extensive plan to engage staff and source needs in all five counties that the bank serves. Last year, bank staff served 66 nonprofit organizations such as Junior Achievement, local food pantries, Relay for Life and Tim Tebow’s Prom. Staff and officers alike have been proponents of change by starting local efforts to combat hunger, be a partner in education, and enrich the local arts. The bank donated $2,800 in 2021 to local food pantries located throughout five counties, $20,000 to local schools and educational organizations, and over $50,000 to nonprofits in total. At The Farmers Bank, Frankfort, serving local communities is at the core of the bank’s identity. To celebrate the bank’s 145th anniversary in 2021, employees teamed up to participate in a Pay It Forward campaign, in which each team was given $145 to help a person or group in need. Employees were asked to purchase items and personally deliver them to local organizations, and employees could combine teams to make more impactful donations. This project resulted in a total of $8,115 gifted to individuals and organizations in the community. The bank promotes economic development, innovation and social well-being, and community engagement and corporate philanthropy is a top priority. In addition, the bank supports local educational and community development projects with a direct positive impact on customers and neighbors. The bank considers supporting the community an integral part of its role as an economic engine, as its success is directly tied to the success of the communities it serves. Bank of America The Farmers Bank
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