Our mission at Regions Financial Corporation is to Make Life Better, and we will do this by living by our values. Valuing, managing, and leveraging the diversity of all of our resources is the only way to be successful.
At Regions, diversity goes beyond race and gender to encompass ethnicity, lifestyle, age, culture, education, religion and many other primary and secondary dimensions that make each of us unique as individuals.
Our strategic approach to diversity supports this overall mission by recognizing that developing and utilizing all of our available resources – inside and outside of the organization – are critical to meeting our business objectives.
Diversity efforts are supported by senior leaders and associates alike. In addition to having a cross-functional network of internal associates, we are also supported by the external guidance of the Regions Diversity Advisory Council composed of various academic, community and business leaders. And, we measure and report our efforts through the Corporate Diversity Index, an internal management tool.
As we incorporate diversity into who we are and how we work, we recognize that doing what is right, putting people first, reaching higher, focusing on your customer and enjoying life are what define us as a company and are the keys to our continued success.
Regions’ diversity initiatives and activities include the following:
MINORITY CAPITAL MARKETS: Regions Financial Corporation recognizes the important role that African-American-owned investment banking firms play in their communities and throughout the national and international financial services market. For this reason, Regions has a program that formalizes its commitment to diversity by engaging African-American-owned financial services firms in complex corporate financial transactions.
Since inception, the initiative has resulted in several minority-owned firms – including Loop Capital Markets, Touissant Capital Partners, Williams Capital and Ramirez and Co. – participating in transactions totaling more than $3.5 billion.
As part of the initiative, Regions is continuing to look for innovative methods of integrating existing and future participant African-American firms in the management process of its corporate finance transactions.
INROADS: For more than 20 years, Regions has been a sponsor of INROADS, a non-profit international career development organization for talented African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American youth. Our long-time relationship with INROADS is one way we are meeting the diverse talent needs of our company.
INROADS, Inc. has over 30 years of experience in identifying, developing and placing minority students in internships. The high potential students are screened and selected based on the needs of our organization. After evaluating each intern, Corporate Associate Relations matches interns to an appropriate area within Regions.
Through INROADS, Regions’ goal is to provide business opportunities to talented minority students and develop a pipeline of future talent.
UNCF-REGIONS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: Regions Financial Corporation and the United Negro College Fund have formed a strategic partnership to provide scholarships and financial education at historically black colleges and universities.
As a component of the partnership, scholarships will be awarded annually to deserving students who are studying business at UNCF member institutions. Each scholarship will provide $7,500 toward the students' tuition and expenses. In 2009, awards went to a student from Spelman College and a student from Xavier University.
REGIONS DIVERSITY NETWORK: The Regions Diversity Network is an association of senior leaders who work together to advance the company’s comprehensive corporate diversity strategy. The network – comprised of associates who work in areas and on matters that have a substantial impact on the company’s diversity-related activities – provides a formal avenue to gather and distribute diversity-related intelligence and improves the company’s ability to identify diversity-related opportunities and risks. Through the network, the organization’s diversity practitioners meet monthly with senior leaders to share information and collaborate on diversity strategies.
REGIONS DIVERSITY ADVISORY COUNCIL: The Regions Diversity Advisory Council is composed of various academic, community and business leaders. Its members provide Regions with an objective outside perspective and offer guidance on diversity-related matters in the workplace and marketplace.
MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE PROGRAM: Regions Financial Corporation continues to infuse a diverse talent pool into the management levels of the enterprise through a formal recruitment initiative called the Management Associate Program (MAP).
Through the program, high-potential college graduates are recruited from a diverse pool of colleges, including several historically black colleges and universities. Once recruited, the new associates participate in a structured training curriculum that incorporates an organizational overview, financial industry knowledge, leadership development, team-building and community service projects to foster career development. The MAP is designed for those who can learn quickly and master strong leadership skills.
Recent classes of the Management Associate Program included:
- 2008: 28 percent minority, 44 percent women
- 2009: 47 percent minority, 58 percent women
- 2010: 36 percent minority, 41 percent women
REGIONS CORPORATE DIVERSITY INDEX: The Regions Corporate Diversity Index is an internal measurement tool used to assess, analyze and evaluate the company’s overall diversity performance. The index categories include diversity strategy/leadership, employment, marketing/communications, community outreach and supplier diversity. Index results are reported to the company’s operating committe and communicated in company publications.
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY: Regions is committed to building strong business relationships with a wide range of high-quality supply partners. Learn more.
For more information please see Diversity FAQs.