Every April, we celebrate Community Banking Month by publicizing the efforts that community banks make to serve the people and institutions around them. This year’s Community Banking Month series closes with a snapshot of the efforts community banks across the nation have made to increase financial literacy and other finance-related education.Hosting Workshops and Educational EventsFirst Foundation Bank’s branch in Honolulu, Hawaii believes that financial empowerment is the cornerstone of a thriving community. Its commitment to service goes beyond banking to include investments in education and resources that help individuals and businesses succeed. In 2025, the bank delivered a series of impactful workshops, including Anti-Scam Awareness Classes that equipped residents with tools to protect themselves from fraud. In addition, How to Start a Business and Business Lending Resources classes offered guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs.Beyond these workshops, First Foundation Bank regularly hosts community business educational events in partnership with leading organizations such as ID8, HISBDC, the SBA, and Inspire Collective. These events create opportunities for entrepreneurs to network, learn, and sharpen their skills while engaging directly with industry experts who share practical insights and strategies for success.First Foundation Bank is deeply committed to serving the community — not just as a financial institution, but as a trusted partner in growth and education.Teaching Middle Schoolers About EntrepreneurshipAt Meredith Village Savings Bank in Meredith, New Hampshire, financial literacy comes to life through the Middle School Business Program. This partnership with local schools helps students learn the fundamentals of business, banking, and community giving in a fun and interactive way. Each year, branch managers and staff volunteer their time to mentor students as they form small business teams, develop products, and bring their ideas to life. Past projects have included Silverhawk Suds, a team that created colorful, scented soaps shaped like snowflakes and rectangles, and Adopt a Rock, a group that sold “emotional support rocks” decorated with googly eyes and unique personalities. The Middle School Business Program transforms classrooms into thriving hubs of creativity and collaboration. Students take on real-world roles such as CEO, Treasurer, and Marketing Director and work together to design a product, calculate costs, and set pricing. Once their business plans are complete, they pitch them to bank loan officers, who review the proposals and decide whether to approve the loan requests. Approved teams receive funds to launch their ventures, selling their products during school sale days and at holiday fairs. After the sales wrap up, students repay their loans with interest, which is donated back to the class fund. Students then choose a local nonprofit to receive the proceeds from their sales.Strengthening Communities, Not Just Providing TransactionsFounded in 1867, Merrimack County Savings Bank, headquartered in Concord, New Hampshire, was built on the idea that local financial institutions should strengthen the well-being of their neighbors, not simply provide transactions. That belief continues to guide how the bank approaches community banking through education, charitable investment, and hands-on involvement. Over the past two years, Merrimack County Savings Bank has delivered more than 70 free, in-person seminars focused on fraud prevention, scam awareness, and financial literacy. Led by the frontline banking team, these sessions prioritize vulnerable populations and provide practical tools to recognize scams, safeguard personal information, and make informed financial decisions. The bank also addresses housing challenges through free First-Time Homebuyer and Construction Loan seminars hosted by the mortgage lending team. These seminars create an open, welcoming environment where prospective homebuyers can ask questions to better understand the homeownership process. This helps reduce uncertainty around what can otherwise be an overwhelming experience.Gearing Up Students for Real-World Financial & Business ExperienceLas Vegas, Nevada-based Lexicon Bank has a strong mission to make financial literacy engaging, accessible, and impactful for younger generations. Through a partnership with Junior Achievement’s BizTown, the bank provides an immersive experience where students can build hands-on skills with budget management and making financial decisions from a business perspective. The bank offers a second program through the Girl Scouts CEO initiative, where Lexicon Bank staff work with young entrepreneurs to develop business ideas, work on product and business pitches, learn how to market products, and build confidence in presenting and selling their work.In addition, Lexicon Bank President & CEO Stacy Watkins drives forward that same financial literacy initiative at the state level. She currently serves as the Vice Chair for the Nevada Advisory Council for Financial Literacy, helping shape initiatives that expand access to financial education across communities. The bank takes pride in its involvement in financial literacy programs and their dedication to creating a fun, interactive environment to help the rising generation build practical skills they can carry into the future.
Helping Customers Get Financially FitIn 2025, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust in Coldwater, Michigan launched a financial literacy resource center designed to empower individuals at every stage of life — from teens getting their first paycheck to adults navigating their retirement years. Financially Fit offers a variety of interactive and engaging resources, including quizzes, self-paced courses, blogs, and videos. Each piece of content is designed to break down complex financial topics into clear and digestible information that can be applied to everyday life.Topics include simple budgeting, advanced budgeting, college and money management, buying your first home, debt repayment strategies, investment strategies, and retirement planning. Financially Fit resources are offered free of charge to both customers and non-customers. Since the program launched last July, Financially Fit has generated several hundred site sessions and subscriptions. In 2026, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust will continue to grow engagement with Financially Fit by adding new quizzes, blogs, courses, and video content. New tools will also be added, including downloadable budget templates, financial cheat sheets, awareness guides, and other supportive resources.Helping Guard Against FraudOver the past year, Las Vegas, Nevada-based GBank has launched three new financial literacy programs designed to educate students, low-to-moderate income families, and seniors about the risk of fraud. In addition, the bank partnered with Senior Crimestoppers to provide fraud-prevention education at nine senior community centers across Las Vegas, reaching more than 60 seniors and caregivers. These interactive sessions equipped participants with practical tools to recognize scams, protect personal information, and build confidence in navigating potential fraud.Empowering Nonprofit OrganizationsAfter attending a town hall in early 2025, a Coastal Community Bank banker observed confusion and concern about how nonprofit organizations can access funding. “At that time, many nonprofits were facing a funding cliff due to executive orders and actions cutting federal funding,” the banker said. “Nonprofits were left to make difficult decisions, many of which may diminish their ability to carry out their missions.”To help clear up this confusion, Coastal Community Bank, headquartered in Everett, Washington, collaborated with the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation (SCAF) to develop an educational session sharing grant funding opportunities, application processes, and strategies for securing financial support with nonprofit organizations. “The event was well received by the 30 attendees, and it gave them the opportunity to connect with other nonprofit peers in the community,” the banker said.Wrapping Up Community Banking MonthWe are so grateful at PCBB for the community banks that have shared their stories with us. PCBB is honored to recognize the hard work of community banks and employees as they continue their dedication to serving their communities. Although our Community Banking Month series has come to an end for the year, we know that community bank efforts to make their employees, customers, and communities feel supported are an ongoing journey. We hope you’ll give all of the banks featured in this year’s articles a well-deserved round of applause. You’ll soon see an e-book roundup of this year’s entries, complete with photos of the banks’ teams in action, on our website.
Helping Customers Get Financially FitIn 2025, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust in Coldwater, Michigan launched a financial literacy resource center designed to empower individuals at every stage of life — from teens getting their first paycheck to adults navigating their retirement years. Financially Fit offers a variety of interactive and engaging resources, including quizzes, self-paced courses, blogs, and videos. Each piece of content is designed to break down complex financial topics into clear and digestible information that can be applied to everyday life.Topics include simple budgeting, advanced budgeting, college and money management, buying your first home, debt repayment strategies, investment strategies, and retirement planning. Financially Fit resources are offered free of charge to both customers and non-customers. Since the program launched last July, Financially Fit has generated several hundred site sessions and subscriptions. In 2026, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust will continue to grow engagement with Financially Fit by adding new quizzes, blogs, courses, and video content. New tools will also be added, including downloadable budget templates, financial cheat sheets, awareness guides, and other supportive resources.Helping Guard Against FraudOver the past year, Las Vegas, Nevada-based GBank has launched three new financial literacy programs designed to educate students, low-to-moderate income families, and seniors about the risk of fraud. In addition, the bank partnered with Senior Crimestoppers to provide fraud-prevention education at nine senior community centers across Las Vegas, reaching more than 60 seniors and caregivers. These interactive sessions equipped participants with practical tools to recognize scams, protect personal information, and build confidence in navigating potential fraud.Empowering Nonprofit OrganizationsAfter attending a town hall in early 2025, a Coastal Community Bank banker observed confusion and concern about how nonprofit organizations can access funding. “At that time, many nonprofits were facing a funding cliff due to executive orders and actions cutting federal funding,” the banker said. “Nonprofits were left to make difficult decisions, many of which may diminish their ability to carry out their missions.”To help clear up this confusion, Coastal Community Bank, headquartered in Everett, Washington, collaborated with the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation (SCAF) to develop an educational session sharing grant funding opportunities, application processes, and strategies for securing financial support with nonprofit organizations. “The event was well received by the 30 attendees, and it gave them the opportunity to connect with other nonprofit peers in the community,” the banker said.Wrapping Up Community Banking MonthWe are so grateful at PCBB for the community banks that have shared their stories with us. PCBB is honored to recognize the hard work of community banks and employees as they continue their dedication to serving their communities. Although our Community Banking Month series has come to an end for the year, we know that community bank efforts to make their employees, customers, and communities feel supported are an ongoing journey. We hope you’ll give all of the banks featured in this year’s articles a well-deserved round of applause. You’ll soon see an e-book roundup of this year’s entries, complete with photos of the banks’ teams in action, on our website.
