Serving the Community in a Multitude of Ways

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 22, 2024 / Regions Bank

Regions leaders share insights with nonprofit partners to help navigate current economic, operational and workforce challenges.

By Candace Higginbotham

Regions Bank has a strategic and cultural commitment to do what is right for our customers and communities.

Philanthropy, volunteerism, community development lending, financial education, sponsorships, disability and veterans outreach, and board service are among the tactics Regions Foundation, Regions Bank and bank associates utilize to make life better for the communities and neighborhoods where we live and work.

Recently, Regions' Leroy Abrahams and his Community Affairs team have developed an additional approach: sharing insights.

"We see a lot of need in our communities," Abrahams said. "And we work with many organizations across our 15-state footprint to help address those needs. Frankly, we only have so much time and money to share. But at Regions we have an unlimited supply of knowledge, skill and experience.

"And during times like this, with economic and market volatility, geopolitical and political uncertainty, operational challenges as well as labor market and workforce issues - we've found that technical support can be extremely beneficial to our community partners."

We see a lot of need in our communities. And we work with many organizations across our 15-state footprint to help address those needs.

Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Affairs at Regions

The team put some of that know-how to work recently by hosting an Important Insights seminar at Regions Center in Birmingham, Alabama, for local community partners. Leaders from 25 organizations gathered for a half-day session to engage with Regions specialists on topics that are top of mind for nonprofits.

Regions Chief Investment Officer Alan McKnight spoke to the group about the state of the economy, reporting that inflation is coming down, unemployment is staying relatively low and balance sheets are basically healthy. But he acknowledged that consumers are paying significantly more for food and those prices "stay sticky."

McKnight also discussed increased housing costs and shortages. Like any business, those economic factors have a big impact on a nonprofit's funding and the needs of their clients.

In this presidential election year, politics and legislative agendas are on the forefront for everyone, including community organizations. Jason Isbell, head of State Government Affairs and Economic Development at Regions, spoke to the group about current issues being debated, including economic development, education, workforce development, childcare, housing and healthcare.