Engaging our associates

Community Engagement

Regions® associates come to work every day motivated not only to meet the needs of our customers, but also to help our neighbors beyond the walls of our bank. We value the enthusiasm, expertise, and heart they bring to their roles. We are proud of them and their dedication to supporting the needs of our communities to make life better. Read more about their impact in our annual Community Engagement highlights.

Making Life Better Institute®

The mission of the Making Life Better Institute (MLBI) is to promote and coordinate associate volunteerism and all forms of the bank’s non-monetary contributions to nonprofit organizations, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs)1.

Its components include:

  • Regions Associates in Action®  – Throughout the year, our associates offer thousands of hands-on volunteer hours to schools and nonprofit organizations. Activities such as homebuilding, tutoring and donation sorting provide extra help in addressing the immediate needs of our communities.
  • Regions Skills in Service® – Using a skills-based approach, the bank is matching the talents and experience of associates with the specific needs of community partners. This targeted approach allows associates with subject-matter expertise in various areas to provide pro bono assistance and help nonprofits and CDFIs reach their goals.
  • Nonprofit board service – Regions associates provide leadership and strategic guidance to numerous community organizations by serving on their board. The bank provides training and resources, as well as connects our associates to board service opportunities.
  • Financial education – The Regions Next Step® Financial Wellness program provides free tools and resources to help people bolster their money-management skills and build their financial confidence. In addition to online resources, our associates deliver virtual and in-person financial education seminars to nonprofit organizations and schools. Customized courses are available for youth, Spanish speakers, low vision or blind, and people with cognitive disabilities.
  • Support for CDFIs – To further the bank’s long-term commitment to supporting CDFIs, Regions engages in executive-led informational sessions and idea-sharing opportunities with organizations in the bank’s footprint. This innovative approach for improved collaboration and technical assistance in areas such as business and human resources consulting services helps expand access to essential financial services and better support communities, especially underserved populations. These efforts enhance longstanding community lending programs within Regions Bank and the Regions Community Development Corporation.
  • Volunteer recognition programs – Regions celebrates our associates’ dedication to giving back. The Lee Ann Petty Heart of Service Award honors an associate, nominated by a colleague, who has made a significant impact to the community. The Regions Community Champions designation recognizes associates who have recorded 16 or more volunteer hours during the year.

What A Difference A Day Makes

Through the What A Difference A Day Makes volunteer program, our associates have the opportunity to take one paid day off each year to make life better by volunteering with community organizations and giving back where we work and live within the communities Regions serves.

Share the Good®

Share the Good® is an annual program organized by Regions associates. Thousands volunteer at dozens of initiatives happening in the local communities we serve. Read more about how our associates make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

United Way®

In addition to volunteering with agencies funded by United Way, Regions' associates are long-term financial supporters of these organizations through personal giving to local United Way chapters throughout our footprint. Associates come together annually for our United Way fundraising campaign that supports United Way and its network of member agencies in their efforts focused on the health, education, and financial stability in the communities we serve.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

  • Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
  • Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
  • Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
  • Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
  • Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
  • Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Associates and recent retirees can submit matching gift requests on Regions Community Engagement Central.