What is Bank Day?

The third Tuesday in March was declared Bank Day in Virginia by the Virginia General Assembly in 1991. On this day, Virginia high school seniors learn about banking, financial services, career opportunities in the industry and the vital role banks play in their communities. 

From their experience, the students are required to write an essay, and thirteen scholarships (six honorable mention, six regional, and one statewide) will be awarded on the basis of the essays. 

Program Details

The 2025 Bank Day Scholarship Program will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person or virtual experiences provided by your bank supplemented by content provided by the VBA! The VBA will also provide recommendations for how to host your students on your Bank Day, no matter what format you choose.

In addition to what the students learn during Bank Day gatherings hosted by your bank, participating students will have access to a VBA-created Bank Day resource page during the month of March 2025. The VBA-created resource page will house relevant information that will help students complete their essays for a chance to win college scholarships. 

Student Participation Criteria

• Currently enrolled as a high school senior in a Virginia high school
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Resident of Virginia
• Teacher/guidance counselor contact information provided by the student

Complete the Bank Interest Form Today!

After completing this form, the VBA will send you information on how best to contact teachers and how to promote your participation in this program to the media beginning in January 2025. The VBA will keep you updated on Bank Day information and students’ registrations. 

Learn More About the Program: Informational Meeting Recording Now Available!

Interested banks can learn more about the 2025 program by watching the recording of the informational meeting that was held in December here.

View the slides from the informational meeting here!

Scholarship Amounts: $28,500 to Be Awarded in 2025!

$28,500 total will be awarded in 2025!

• $1,000 Each for six honorable mention scholarships
• $2,500 Each for six regional winners
• $2,500 Statewide Runner-Up winner ($5,000 total since all candidates will also be regional winners)
• $5,000 Statewide winner ($7,500 total since all candidates will also be regional winners)

Congratulations to the 2024 Winners!

Each of the six regional winners received a $2,500 college scholarship. These students were entered into the statewide contest for a chance to win an additional $5,000 scholarship as the overall winner. There were also six honorable mention winners who each received a $1,000 college scholarship. 

Congratulations to the following students and bank hosts:

• Capitol Region Winner: Charles Riccardino, Jr., Atlee High School, Hosted by Truist Bank
• Capitol Region Honorable Mention Winner: Gabriella Greth, Hanover High School, Hosted by C&F Bank
• Central/Southside Region Winner: Ele Norton, Blacksburg High School, Hosted by First Bank & Trust Co.
• Central/Southside Region Honorable Mention Winner: Sarah Dinkel, Blacksburg High School, Hosted by First Bank & Trust Co.
• Eastern Virginia Region Winner: Destiny Caravello, Nansemond River High School, Hosted by Blue Ridge Bank
• Eastern Virginia Region Honorable Mention Winner: Joseph Scott, Lancaster High School, Hosted by Chesapeake Bank
• Northern Virginia Region Winner: Sydney Guthrie, James Madison High School, Hosted by Burke & Herbert Bank
• Northern Virginia Region Honorable Mention Winner: Ashraf Abdou, Justice High School, Hosted by Burke & Herbert Bank
• Valley Region Winner: Savannah Hillman, Valley Baptist Christian School, Hosted by First Bank, Virginia
• Valley Region Honorable Mention Winner: Mason Cubbage, Page County High School, Hosted by Blue Ridge Bank
• Southwest Virginia Region Winner: Blair Rutherford, Patrick Henry High School, Hosted by First Bank & Trust Co.
• Southwest Virginia Region Honorable Mention Winner: Ethan Cloud, Eastside High School, Hosted by Powell Valley National Bank