Applications accepted through July 1
?WASHINGTON – June 24, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The American Bankers Association Community Engagement Foundation is accepting entries for the 2015 Community Commitment Awards through July 1. The Community Commitment Awards recognize innovative and high impact projects and programs in seven categories, including ‘Affordable Housing’ – a topic of particular importance during June’s “American Housing Month.” ABA will present the awards at its annual convention in Los Angeles, Nov. 8-10.
“Banks have a long history of investing time and resources to improve the availability of quality housing in their local communities,” said Frank Keating, ABA president and CEO. “The Community Commitment Awards are an opportunity for ABA to recognize their efforts.”
The 2014 winner of the ‘Affordable Housing’ category was Bank of McKenney in McKenney, Va. for its rehabilitation grant program designed to serve homeowners whose family incomes fall below 80 percent of HUD median levels. The program —with support from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta — offers up to $15,000 to assist the homeowner with energy efficiency and weatherization or accessibility improvements like roofs, insulation and ramps. See more 2014 winners on aba.com.
The other six categories include financial education, volunteerism, community and economic development, nontraditional borrower and underbanked, protecting older Americans, and the George Bailey Distinguished Service Award.
New to the Community Commitment Awards this year is an interactive, searchable map on aba.com that will showcase all program entries by state. The map, which is expected to launch later this summer, will serve as a database for corporate social responsibility efforts across the industry.
The awards are given to banks of all asset sizes and judged by a panel of nationally recognized experts. Visit the Community Commitment Awards for more information and to enter.
For more information on American Housing Month, visit aba.com/housing.
The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation’s $15 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ more than 2 million people, safeguard $11 trillion in deposits and extend more than $8 trillion in loans.
Through its leadership, partnerships, and national programs, ABA’s Community Engagement Foundation, a 501(c)3, helps bankers provide financial education to individuals at every age, elevate issues around affordable housing and community development, and achieve corporate social responsibility objectives to improve the well-being of their customers and their communities.
ABA Media Contact: Blair Bernstein
(202) 663-5315
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Follow us on Twitter: @ABABankers
