SACRAMENTO – In a recent survey conducted by the California Bankers Association (CBA), CBA member banks reported annual contributions to charitable organizations in excess of $110 million. In 2011 alone, more than 19,000 organizations were the beneficiaries of donations by California banks. Employees of California banks also gave back to their communities, with nearly 600,000 hours of volunteer time invested.

“Banks throughout California provide integral support to their communities,” said Mary Curran, CBA chairman and executive vice president and chief risk officer for corporate banking for Union Bank. “In addition to the loans and other financial services they provide to businesses and families, banks and their employees are continually donating time, talent and dollars to strengthen the communities in which they do business.”

To measure the giving spirit of the California banking community, the California Bankers Association conducted a Community Relations Survey to gauge member bank-sponsored community involvement throughout 2011. A total of 53 CBA-member institutions responded.

“Whether it is supporting local schools or gifting money to charitable organizations, California bankers have a long history of giving back to the community – because it’s their community too,” said Rod Brown, president and CEO of the California Bankers Association. “Our member banks are very committed to making the places where they do business and live the very best they can be.”

Survey Results
In the category of general community causes (charitable groups/nonprofits, schools, hospitals, etc.), CBA members reported the following outreach for 2011:
• 19,605 community groups were assisted
• 584,780 service hours were donated by bank associates to community causes
• $108,382,851 donated by banks to community causes
• $1,327,313 donated by banks to fund scholarships
• $915,402 donated by banks through in-kind contributions to community causes

About the CBA

Established 122 years ago, the California Bankers Association (CBA) is one of the largest state banking trade associations in the country. CBA leads the way in developing relevant educational and legislative solutions to some of California’s more pressing financial and banking issues, including adult financial empowerment, identity theft, financial privacy and financial elder abuse. CBA’s membership includes the majority of California’s commercial, industrial and community banks and savings associations. For more information, visit www.calbankers.com.

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