Keeping winning streaks alive for both companies, the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) presented its Joe Belew Award to Discover Bank and PNC Bank. This marks the eighth year CBA has given the award to honor member banks for providing innovative and impactful programs serving underbanked and unbanked consumers.
The winners each received $5,000 from CBA to donate to a non-profit program partner of their choice.
Discover won its second straight Belew for its “Bank on Wheels” program, which provides low-and-moderate income citizens in Wilmington, Del. with access to “no-barrier savings accounts” (Share Accounts) and financial education.
PNC Bank’s third consecutive Belew recognized its “Community Connections Center,” which has provided more than 300 low-and moderate-income individuals from the surrounding community of Rich Square, N.C. with free access to digital and mobile banking, online classes, financial education, college preparation tools and professional development services.
“CBA’s member banks are committed to making basic banking services accessible for the millions of underbanked and unbanked consumers across the country,” Sue Whitson, chair of CBA’s Community Reinvestment Committee and CRA Governance Manager at BMO Harris Bank, said when announcing the awards. “These two innovative and exemplary programs expand access to necessary financial products and services for those who need them most. This year, we are pleased to honor two outstanding banks – PNC and Discover – with the Joe Belew Award and we thank them for their commitment to bringing consumers into the banking system.”
Share accounts accept direct deposits and provide free-of-charge access to the largest ATM network in Wilmington, thereby eliminating the need for check cashers and pre-paid debit cards. The program was developed in partnership with Barclays Bank, WSFS Bank, Stepping Stone Community Federal Credit Union and Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council.
“It is a wonderful achievement for Discover to once again be recognized with CBA’s Joe Belew Award for our community development efforts,” Discover Bank President James Roszkowski said. “We are proud to say our Bank on Wheels program has helped many residents in the City of Wilmington gain needed access to the banking system and we look forward to continuing to build a strong bond with the local community.”
“Receiving CBA’s Joe Belew Award is a testament to the good work of our employees and partners,” said Discover Bank Assistant CRA Director Amy Walls, who oversees the Bank on Wheels program. “Since the program began, we set out with a simple goal: To provide banking products and services to the residents of Wilmington who need them most. I am proud of the benefits the program has given local community.”
PNC Bank developed the Community Connections Center through a partnership with the Choanoke Area Development Association of North Carolina.
“It is an honor to be recognized with the prestigious Joe Belew Award for three years in a row,” said PNC Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Distribution Todd Barnhart, who also serves on CBA’s Board of Directors. “We are committed to the financial well-being of all citizens in the communities that we serve. With millions of underbanked and unbanked consumers across the country, PNC is especially proud of our collaboration with the PNC Community Connections Center to ensure that our neighbors have secure access to electronic banking, financial education and professional development opportunities.”
“Receiving CBA’s Joe Belew Award is an honor as it acknowledges the hard work and dedication that our team members and community partners display each and every day,” said Lori Jones Gibbs, PNC’s senior vice president of community development banking and market manager for North and South Carolina. “The financial well-being of the greater Rich Square community is important to PNC. I am proud to accept this award on behalf of PNC and I look forward to continuing to help our customers and improve their access to basic banking services.”
The winners were selected by CBA’s Community Reinvestment Committee from a record 12 entries from nine banks.
The runners up for the award included Bank of the West, BMO Harris Bank, Citi Bank, KeyBank, MUFG Union, Santander Bank and Woodforest National Bank.