$26,000 in College Scholarships to be Awarded to Twelve Students through VBA Bank Day Scholarship Program

Article Monica McDearmon Virginia Bankers Association

This month, banks across Virginia are hosting more than 650 high school seniors for the Virginia Bankers Association Education Foundation (VBA) Bank Day Scholarship Program (Bank Day). The third Tuesday in March was declared Bank Day by the Virginia General Assembly in 1991, and students will shadow Virginia bankers in their roles for this important program to learn more about the banking industry, careers in banking, financial services, and the vital role banks play in their communities. Other topics to be discussed include banking fundamentals, the importance of establishing credit, managing the student loan process, and more. Students also have access to a Virginia banking industry resource website that houses videos, articles, and podcasts to explore and research.

From their experience, participating students will write an essay for the chance to win a scholarship. A total of $26,000 will be awarded to twelve students by the VBA. Six regional scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded. One of the regional winners will also be selected as the statewide winner, who will receive an additional $5,000 scholarship – $7,500 in total. There will also be six honorable mention scholarships of $1,000 each.

“Bank Day is one of the best short-term experiences for students – the opportunity to learn about the many services that banks offer and the ways Virginia banks support the communities they serve, and to start the networking that often leads to part-time and summer jobs, scholarships, internships, and a start on a career path in the financial industry,” said VBA President & CEO Bruce Whitehurst.

The following 29 Virginia banks will serve as bank hosts for this year’s program:

  • Atlantic Union Bank
  • Bank of Botetourt
  • Blue Ridge Bank
  • Burke & Herbert Bank
  • C&F Bank
  • Chesapeake Bank
  • F&M Bank
  • First Bank & Trust Company
  • First Bank, Virginia
  • First Carolina Bank
  • First National Bank
  • Highlands Community Bank
  • MainStreet Bank
  • Movement Bank
  • New Peoples Bank
  • Oak View National Bank
  • Old Point National Bank
  • Pendleton Community Bank
  • Powell Valley National Bank
  • Select Bank
  • Taylor Bank
  • The Bank of Marion
  • The Bank of Southside Virginia
  • The Farmers Bank of Appomattox
  • Touchstone Bank
  • TowneBank
  • Truist Bank
  • United Bank
  • Village Bank

For specific press opportunities, please email cowdom@vabankers.org.

About the VBA Education Foundation

The Virginia Bankers Association Education Foundation was formed in 2007 with the objective of recognizing the importance of economic education and financial literacy in Virginia and supporting the banking industry as a key participant in these areas. Their mission is to advance personal financial literacy to students in all public and private schools across the Commonwealth. Learn more about the VBA Education Foundation here.