Texas Bankers Foundation celebrates 30th anniversary

The Texas Bankers Foundation, the charitable arm of the Texas Bankers Association, recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the organization’s founding, marking three decades of providing support to banks and communities throughout the state of Texas.

Thirty years ago, on Feb. 20, 1991, the Foundation’s first focus was on Graduate School of Banking Scholar­ships, partnering with SWGSB at SMU, the University of Wisconsin and LSU. 

The Foundation took over management of TBA’s Robbery Reward Program to discourage robberies against Texas banks and the 50-Year Banker Awards that honors bankers who have devoted 50 years or more of service to the banking industry. 

Since then, the organization has developed several new awards including the Cornerstone, Leaders in Financial Education and Emerging Leader Awards to recognize banks and bankers for their contributions. 

As the Foundation continued to evolve, financial literacy became a priority. The organization set out to improve financial literacy and promote consumer education across Texas through grants, training and resources. In 2007, the Texas Bankers Foundation developed its annual Financial Literacy Summit and since then has debuted various successful programs such as its children’s book program, $martPath Texas sponsorship and 4-H & FFA Financial Literacy Grant program, to name a few. 

In 2011, the Foundation began to coordinate disaster relief funds, collecting and distributing donations to designated organizations and Texas bankers, and the organization later developed its TBA CARES (Crisis Assistance, Response and Emergency Support) program. Efforts have included the Wildfire Relief Fund, West Fertilizer Plant Explosion Disaster Relief Fund, Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, Texas Banks 4 Food Banks, Texas Unity Grant and more.

In addition, the Texas Bankers Foundation is devoted to ensuring the future of the industry by growing and supporting the banking programs at Texas colleges and universities, as well as promoting a diverse workforce, through multiple scholarship and partnership opportunities. Most recently, the Texas Bankers Foundation made a $100,000 commitment to the Jesse H. Jones School of Business at Texas Southern University to help build a leading banking program at the Historically Black College & University (HBCU).

Since the organization’s inception, the mission of the Foundation has grown and today its commitment is to serve and support Texas banks, their employees and communities through several programs that reflect the deep care and concern Texas banks show in their communities each day.

For more information about the Texas Bankers Foundation, visit www.texasbankers.com/foundation.