ACB: Press Releases

Contact:	Robert Schmermund (202) 857-3104 Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145	Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145 (work) (703) 893-2593 (home) [email protected]	For Immediate Release March 31, 2003 #03-15
E-mail: [email protected]

COMMUNITY BANKS MOBILIZE TO ASSIST MILITARY SERVICE PERSONNEL THROUGH ‘UNITED WE STAND’

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — America’s Community Bankers has launched a nationwide program to support armed services personnel being mobilized around the world. More than 450,000 men and women have been deployed already, with more likely to come.

The program, called “United We Stand,” is making bank customers aware that they can donate directly to one or more of four armed services relief agencies whose purpose is to provide emergency financial assistance to reservists and military personnel and their families during times of extended need.

“The need is great,” said Diane Casey Landry, president and CEO, America’s Community Bankers. “Family separation, combined with a loss of normal income (especially for reservists), extraordinary expenses, family emergencies or other circumstances are creating financial difficulties for many American troops, a situation highlighted in recent major media reports.

“The sheer number of troops and families affected will present a tremendous challenge to the resources of these agencies themselves,” said Casey Landry. “The four armed services relief agencies we are partnering with all provide financial assistance for rent, loan payments and other expenses during times when the military person is away from home. We are particularly pleased and proud that 100 percent of the donations will go directly to assisting military personnel and their families.

“By mobilizing the banking community, we can provide meaningful assistance where it will do the most good. It is a genuine expression of ‘United We Stand,’ the bywords we have all lived by since 9-11,” said Casey Landry.

“Many Americans are not aware of the significant contributions these agencies have made for service members and their families for many decades. Our efforts are designed to increase that awareness, and to multiply their effectiveness through the support of the many bank customers who, we hope, will respond to this urgent call for assistance.”

The armed services relief agencies participating in “United We Stand” are: Army Emergency Relief (www.aerhq.org); Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (www.nmcrs.org); Air Force Aid Society (www.afas.org); Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (www.cgmahq.org)

America’s Community Bankers is the national trade association committed to shaping the future of banking by being the innovative industry leader strengthening the competitive position of community banks. To learn more about ACB, visit www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com.

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