The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today announced BayCoast Bank as the grand national award winner for the 2018 National Community Bank Service Awards, which celebrate the outstanding and innovative volunteer efforts of the nation’s community banks.
ICBA selected BayCoast Bank for the top award from a group of more than 100 nominations for its creative and impactful service and economic empowerment program, “Get on the Bus.” As part of its effort to raise education awareness, the bank used a refurbished school bus to visit schools and community events, encouraging local students to pursue higher education.
“We are honored that ICBA has recognized our bank for the ‘Get on the Bus’ program, which has helped make education top of mind for South Coast residents, creating a movement that generates continued support for school funding and education initiatives,” said Nicholas Christ, Chief Executive Officer of BayCoast Bank. “This effort has been a labor of love that will pave the way for future generations to realize their dreams through education.”
In its first year, BayCoast Bank’s “Get on the Bus” drove various efforts in collaboration with educators, and civic and business leaders, including:
- Sponsoring and facilitating a tour to the University of Massachusetts for 800 Fall River seventh grade students.
- Developing a professional development program for nearly 300 Massachusetts educators focused on the relationship between academic success and social-emotional learning.
- Launching an online financial education program with 14 area schools to educate students on money management best practices.
- Securing necessary votes to green light two new area high-school construction projects.
- Providing major funding for Fall River Public Schools Teach for America, the Argosy Collegiate Building the Bridge to College campaign, and Carney Academy’s “STEAM the Streets” outreach program, among others.
“Community service and volunteerism are hallmarks of community banking,” said ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey. “We commend and thank BayCoast Bank and its employees for their unwavering dedication and commitment to ensuring the vitality of their communities and the financial health of local residents who call it home.”
More than 100 community banks and employees have been recognized since ICBA launched the National Community Bank Service Award program in 2002. Bank technology services provider FIS, of Jacksonville, Fla., sponsored this year’s program.
BayCoast Bank and other award recipients will be featured in the September issue of Independent Banker® magazine.
About BayCoast Bank
BayCoast Bank is mutually-owned, serving the needs of consumers, businesses, non-profits and municipalities through 18 branches and three loan offices throughout southeastern MA and RI. Additional services are offered through the Bank’s affiliates: BayCoast Financial Services, Plimoth Investment Advisors, Partners Insurance Group, LLC, BayCoast Mortgage Company, LLC, and Priority Funding LLC. Nicholas Christ is the Bank’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Visit www.BayCoastBank.com or call 508-678-7641 or 888-806-2872.
About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America®, the nation’s voice for nearly 5,700 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org
