ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 10, 2011).  Recognizing the need for solid personal money management skills, members of the Maryland Bankers Association have a strong commitment to providing quality financial education to Maryland students and adults/seniors in communities across the state.  Their efforts help Marylanders make informed financial decisions.

2010 marked the seventh year where members of the Maryland Bankers Association showcased their banks’ efforts by participating in Maryland Bankers Association’s 2010 Financial Education Awards Program.  This year, 23 member banks participated in the awards program, submitting 38 entries.  Entries are judged and awards provided in three categories:  School-Age Children (pre-school through 8th grade); Young Adults (high school & college students); and Adults and Seniors (age 25 and older).  These awards allow the Maryland Bankers Association to recognize member banks that have excelled in teaching financial education within the communities they serve.

The award winners were announced at the Maryland Bankers Association’s 2011 Economic Outlook Forum on Friday, January 7, 2011.  Below are the Maryland Bankers Association’s 2010 Financial Education Award winners in the following award categories:

School-Age Children
Sandy Spring Bank
New Windsor State Bank
Baltimore County Savings Bank
The Columbia Bank

Young Adults
New Windsor State Bank
Wachovia Bank, A Wells Fargo Company

Adults and Seniors
PNC Bank, N.A.
The Columbia Bank

A Certificate of Excellence was also presented to the following 23 member banks that participated in the Maryland Bankers Association’s 2010 Financial Education Awards Program:

•    Arundel Federal Savings
•    Baltimore County Savings Bank
•    Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company
•    Capital Bank
•    Carrollton Bank  
•    Community Bank of Tri-County
•    First Shore Federal Savings and Loan
•    First United Bank & Trust
•    Fraternity Federal Savings & Loan
•    Hamilton Federal Bank
•    Howard Bank
•    M&T Bank
•    NBRS Financial Bank
•    New Windsor State Bank
•    Old Line Bank
•    PNC Bank, N.A.
•    Prince George’s Federal Savings Bank
•    Sandy Spring Bank
•    SunTrust Bank
•    The Columbia Bank
•    The Harbor Bank of Maryland
•    The Talbot Bank of Easton, Maryland
•    Wachovia Bank, A Wells Fargo Company 

Members of the Maryland Bankers Association also participate in two national initiatives throughout the year, they are: Get Smart About Credit Day held in October that connects bankers with students and young adults to help them to develop a stronger understanding of credit and how to use it responsibly; and Teach Children to Save Day in April which raises awareness about the important role that banks and bankers play in helping young people develop lifelong savings habits.

In the last two years, over 1,000 bankers from more than 45 Maryland Bankers Association member banks completed in excess of 2,155 financial education presentations which reached over 25,697 students and/or residents across Maryland.  These statistics demonstrate that Maryland bankers continue their commitment to making a difference in their communities everyday by teaching financial education skills that enable the public to improve their money management skills.   

Founded in 1896, MBA’s member banks hold 97% of the FDIC insured deposits in Maryland in more than 1,800 branch offices.  MBA serves member banks and thrifts as a legislative and regulatory advocate at all levels of government, as the public relations voice for the industry, as a provider of professional education to members and a promoter of financial education to the community.

Source: Maryland Bankers Association