Regions Bank surpasses $12 million commitment to economic empowerment initiatives

Alabama-based Regions Bank, in collaboration with non-profit Regions Foundation, surpassed a $12 million, two-year commitment to advance initiatives that promote economic empowerment and racial equity for black and ethnic minority communities.

As of November, the bank and the foundation had allocated a total of $14.6 million to programs that support economic equality in communities across the nation.

The $12 million in funding, which was supposed to be achieved by June 30 2022, was reached six months early.

Individual grants were allocated to inclusive opportunity efforts and strategic community partnerships were also formed, have expanded, and are advancing their work across various States.

“The community commitment of Regions Bank and the Regions Foundation spans the history of our organizations, and it was in 2018 when the bank and foundation came together and updated their focus to specifically prioritize more inclusive prosperity,” said Leroy Abrahams, president of the Regions Foundation and head of community affairs for Regions Bank.

“Then, in 2020, our world changed as never before with the impact of the pandemic as well as a series of racial injustices. Regions Bank and the Regions Foundation recognized they both had an opportunity to do more. And while the commitment made in 2020 has been surpassed, the work that’s underway will continue,” he added.

The Regions Foundation is primarily funded by Regions Bank.

According to a Credit Invisible Policy Report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, one in 10 US adults are credit invisible, or have no credit at all, making it more difficult for them to access financial services and resources.

Increasingly, regional banks are scaling investment to fund social initiatives. Last month, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, Arvest, Bank OZK, Bancorp South Bank, Bank OZK and First Security Bank allocated a $17,650 grant to housing non-profit IN Affordable Housing.