Bank of the West
WHAT WE DO:
At Bank of the West, we have an abiding interest in building economically healthy communities. We are dedicated to helping improve the social and economic health of the many communities we serve, particularly by promoting financial education to achieve a higher level of financial literacy across the country.
Founded in 1874 and headquartered in San Francisco, $63.7 billion-asset Bank of the West is the second-largest commercial bank based in California. Bank of the West offers a full range of business, trust, international and personal banking services. The bank currently operates more than 700 commercial and retail banking locations in 19 Western and Midwestern states. In 2008, Bank of the West ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with retail banking in the West" by J.D. Power and Associates. Bank of the West's holding company, Banc West Corporation, is owned by BNP Paribas, a leading global financial services institution ranked by Standard & Poor's as one of the world's three strongest banks.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Be Aware- Protect Your Assets Elder Financial Abuse Protection Seminar:
In 2007, Bank of the West in partnership with the Elder Financial Protection Network created a consumer awareness program on elder financial abuse prevention and piloted the program in three California cities. The "Be Aware" seminar invites senior citizens, their family members and caregivers to listen to representatives from Bank of the West, the Elder Financial Protection Network, Adult Protective Services, the local District Attorney's Office and local law enforcement agencies speak on how to protect against identity theft, check scams and other financial fraud aimed at elders. This year, "Be Aware" expanded into other states, including Arizona, Utah, Iowa and Oklahoma.
Operation Hope:
Since 2000, Bank of the West and Operation Hope, Inc. have cooperated with the aim of providing underserved urban markets financial education and services. This relationship has grown substantially over time and has included establishment of a "HOPE Center" counseling center within Bank of the West's Fruitvale branch in Oakland, and partnering to teach the Banking on Our Future (BOOF) financial education program in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Portland, and Denver. The BOOF program is a standards-based curriculum of financial basics including needs vs. wants, earning vs. receiving, banking, checking, saving, budgeting, credit and investments. Once students have completed the BOOF program with a Bank of the West teacher, they are eligible to open a free custodial savings account at Bank of the West, where they can put their financial knowledge about saving into action. Then, after 6 months of saving, Bank of the West will match the student's savings up to 50 dollars.
Mad About Money:
The National Theatre for Children's "Mad About Money" production is an educational theatre program focused on teaching key financial topics including managing spending, prioritizing needs, saving, investing and paying interest. Bank of the West partnered with The National Theatre for Children to present a "Mad About Money' tour performed at 10 middle schools throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
WHAT'S NEW:
President's Council on Financial Literacy:
The President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy's Financial Literacy Challenge is taking place from November 3 through 26, 2008. The Challenge is a voluntary, 35-question test that students can take online to earn recognition of their financial knowledge. For more information visit: http://FLC.treas.gov/teacher.
Don McGrath, Chairman and CEO of BancWest Corporation, was appointed to the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy along with 15 other members in an effort to bring national attention to the need for financial education and find ways of improving financial literacy.
Financial Services Roundtable Community Service 2008:
Co-chaired by Don McGrath, Chairman and CEO of BancWest Corporation, and Richard K. Davis, President and CEO of US Bancorp, this year's Financial Services Roundtable Community Services 2008 effort took place July 1 through September 31, 2008 with a focus on financial education. Bank of the West hosted 31 financial education projects with Operation Hope, Junior Achievement, National Theatre for Children's "Mad About Money" and Bank of the West's Be Aware Financial Fraud Seminars to benefit more than 4,200 students, adults and seniors throughout the Bank's footprint.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rebeca Rangel
VP Community Affairs Regional Manager
Bank of the West
180 Montgomery Street 14 floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 399-7274
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Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy |
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