Online voting campaign supports organizations helping people learn
how to save more, spend wisely and reach financial goals.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Money isn’t everything. But for our communities to see more inclusive
growth and prosperity, more people need access to information and tools
that can help them manage and grow their finances.
Today, Regions
Bank announced volunteer service and financial grants from the bank
in support of nonprofits across the Southeast, Midwest and Texas that
are helping children, adults and families take charge of their financial
futures.
The volunteer service and grants are being awarded as part of the bank’s
latest “What a Difference a Day Makes” contest. Throughout April,
Regions used its news website, regions.doingmoretoday.com,
to highlight 18
nonprofits that serve people through financial education. Readers
could learn more about each nonprofit and then vote daily for their
favorite.
As the top recipient of online votes, the
Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE) will receive a $5,000
grant from Regions in support of its mission. The GCEE works with
thousands of public school teachers across Georgia to help them develop hands-on
learning opportunities on the topics of economics and personal
finance. The result is students from grades K-12 consistently receive
engaging, informative lessons that meet or exceed state standards, while
helping children learn how to make practical financial decisions from an
early age.
The GCEE received 7,487 out of 28,961 online votes during the contest,
more than any other participating nonprofit. The second-place finisher, the
Junior League of Birmingham, Inc., received 4,475 votes and will
receive a $2,500 grant from Regions. All other nonprofits in the contest
will receive grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 based on their rankings
in the contest.
Each of the 18 participating nonprofits will receive a day of volunteer
service from Regions associates. All year, teams from Regions work with
nonprofits across more than a dozen states to help them reach children
and adults at all stages of life with helpful, interactive financial
education.
“The greatest benefit of What
a Difference a Day Makes is not a monetary award. Rather, it’s the
increased awareness of the importance of financial education and how
these nonprofits are making a meaningful difference in the lives of
others,” said Keith Herron, head of Corporate Responsibility and
Community Engagement for Regions. “While April served as Financial
Literacy Month nationwide, these organizations and our local teams are
connecting with people every month of the year to share important
information and tools that can help them achieve financial security. We
believe financial education leads to financial empowerment, and we are
proud to work with a wide range of nonprofits to help accomplish this
goal.”
Mike Raymer, Executive Director the Georgia Council on Economic
Education, said the month-long contest generated excitement among
teachers from districts across the state. The GCEE will begin its next
series of teacher workshops this summer.
“We are committed to active learning and connecting teachers with tools
and resources that can help them bring the topics of economics and
personal finance to life in their classrooms,” Raymer said. “For most
students, budgeting may not be the most exciting topic. But when people
learn at an early age how to save money, how to spend it wisely, and how
to plan for the unexpected, they are much better prepared to achieve
financial success. And when students understand the benefits of what
they’re learning, that’s when they get excited. The volunteer support
and financial grant provided by Regions will help us build on our
progress, empower more teachers and, in turn, reach more students in the
coming school year.”
The online contest is one component of Regions’ ongoing What a
Difference a Day Makes program. As part of the program, Regions gives
each of its associates a paid day off every year to volunteer for
nonprofits of their choice. What a Difference a Day Makes also
complements Regions’ strategic
priorities for community engagement.
Additionally, in the last five years, Regions has taught nearly 400,000
financial wellness classes and has helped more than 5 million people
better understand their finances. The company also makes financial
education available to anyone for free through the Regions Next Step
financial wellness program. To learn more, visit www.regions.com/nextstep,
or speak with a Regions associate at any Regions Bank location.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $129 billion in assets, is
a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest
full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth
management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers
across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions
Bank, operates approximately 1,500 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs.
Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and
services can be found at www.regions.com.
Contacts
Jeremy D. King
Regions Bank
205-264-4551
Regions News
Online: regions.doingmoretoday.com
Regions
News on Twitter: @RegionsNews
