Availa Bank Celebrated for Community Financial Education Efforts
Availa Bank has earned commendation from the American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation, securing an honorable mention in the 2023 Community Commitment Awards. This recognition highlights the bank’s dedication to financial education within its community. As part of the awards, which celebrate excellence across various categories including Financial Education, Availa Bank stood out for its innovative and impactful educational outreach.
Empowering Communities Through Financial Knowledge
In its commitment to community service, Availa Bank launched an extensive financial education outreach in 2022, aligning with their mission to empower and inspire financial success. The bank has implemented a robust educational framework across its 15 branches, engaging with the community through diverse programs tailored to all age groups. Their efforts have notably reached nearly 5,000 individuals, enhancing financial literacy with a dynamic approach that spans from youth to older adults.
Availa Bank’s Comprehensive Financial Literacy Programs
Availa’s proactive educational initiatives include ‘FinEd 4 Kids’, which reached over 2,300 children in 2023, and ‘BizU’, a business-focused competition for high school students. Additionally, the bank supports families with college preparation through their annual ‘Kickoff to College Night’, and addresses senior fraud with targeted education, benefiting over 1,400 seniors. These programs exemplify Availa Bank’s dedication to nurturing financial knowledge across every stage of life, reinforcing its role as a community pillar in financial education.
Jeff Scharfenkamp, President and CEO of Availa Bank, expressed pride in their achievements, emphasizing the foundational role of financial literacy in serving their communities effectively. This accolade from the ABA not only acknowledges Availa Bank’s efforts but also reinforces their longstanding commitment to fostering financial empowerment since their founding in 1870.