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 24, 2004 #04-15
E-mail: [email protected]

AMERICA’S COMMUNITY BANKERS RECIPIENT OF CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AWARDS

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — America's Community Bankers, the national trade group for community banks, is the first trade association recipient of corporate social responsibility awards from PR News, edging out Fortune 500 companies and their PR agencies.

The Most Outstanding Nonprofit Partner award honored ACB’s unique national partnership with Habitat for Humanity in stepping up efforts to build affordable homes for low-income families. In the Diversity Communications category, ACB won an honorable mention award for Community Banker magazine’s article promoting service to non-English-speaking customers.

“At a time when corporate reputations are under assault in the media, ACB and its member institutions are distinguishing themselves as outstanding corporate citizens,” said ACB Chairman William W. Zuppe. “ACB is extraordinarily proud of our relationship with Habitat for Humanity and the tangible results that we have left behind in cities across America. We are also pleased that Community Banker magazine was recognized for its innovative and creative cover story that reflects the commitment of community banks to actively reach out to all segments of our diverse communities.”

The Most Outstanding Nonprofit Partner award was given for ACB’s unique partnership with Habitat to promote the Congress Building America program at the national, state and local levels to community bankers. As part of the partnership, ACB is encouraging its member banks — with great success — to partner with local Habitat affiliates in such resource development activities as gift-in-kind donations, sponsorship of homes and/or volunteer labor.

ACB has set a goal of member institutions collectively contributing an additional $500,000 to local Habitat affiliates annually, and to building 10 new homes across the country.

The Diversity Communications award was given to ACB for the use of its magazine, Community Banker, in promoting its public policy priority of fighting predatory lending while improving financial literacy.

The feature story’s message in the magazine’s November 2003 issue was that Spanish-speaking customers are a growing constituency for community banks, but they can find the experience of walking into an English-only bank branch isolating, confusing and distressing.

To call attention to the story, the magazine used a novel “double-take” cover, with the first cover in Spanish, and an explanatory note from the publisher, followed by an English version of the cover inside.

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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