Join the Regions Bank of Ideas Challenge
Here’s your chance to make your mark in the business world while still in school. The Regions Bank of Ideas Challenge is a competition open to Ole Miss and Mississippi State undergraduate students of any major, where teams of one to five students from the same school solve a real business problem and pitch their ideas to Regions execs. Gain real experience solving actual problems, get direct exposure to senior leadership, give your resume a serious boost, and have the opportunity to win a cool prize – that includes a $500 Regions gift card and a Regions bike!
Contest overview and participation instructions
The 2025 Regions Bank of Ideas Challenge (the "Contest") is a business plan presentation competition between teams of undergraduate students from Ole Miss and Mississippi State who solve a real business problem and pitch their ideas to Regions execs. Teams must consist of at least one (1) eligible student, and may include up to a total of five (5) eligible students, all of whom must be enrolled at the same institution. In order to participate in the Contest as a team, each individual team member must separately register for the Contest by completing and submitting the applicable Contest registration form by September 17, 2025 at 11:59:59 PM (CT).
On September 18, 2025, Sponsor will send each registered team member a confirmation email containing a link to this Contest website (regions.com/bankofideas) and (i) the Release Agreement and (ii) the Nondisclosure Agreement. In order to participate in the Contest, each registered team member must individually complete and sign the Release Agreement and the Nondisclosure Agreement, and return each signed document to Sponsor via email at bankofideas@regions.com on or before September 29, 2025 at 11:59:59 PM (CT).
For additional details including eligibility requirements, see the Contest abbreviated rules below; for complete Contest details, business plan presentation requirements, judging criteria and Official Rules, click here.
Competition business cases
Teams must create a business plan presentation for one of the following business cases. Teams will deliver their business plan presentations to the judging panel in late October. Business plan presentations will be evaluated based on the judging criteria described in the Contest Official Rules.
"Bank of the Future" Innovation Challenge
Objective: Students design a next-gen banking solution (e.g., a mobile app feature, fintech partnership idea, etc.).
Banking on Small Business
Objective: Design a strategy, solution, or experience that helps Regions more effectively connect with and retain small business owners as long-term, loyal Customers
Retail Bank Branch of Tomorrow Challenge
Objective: Redesign the physical bank branch to appeal to Gen Z customers while optimizing for cost, efficiency, and customer experience.
Young Adult Retention Plan
Objective: develop a strategy, product, or digital experience that helps a traditional bank retain and grow relationships with customers in their early 20s as they navigate major life transitions.
Official rules and timeline
For full Regions Bank of Ideas Challenge details see the Official Rules.
Key dates:
- Registration Deadline: Sept. 17, 2025 at 11:59:59 PM (CT). (Each individual team member must separately complete and submit the registration form by the registration deadline.)
- Release Agreement and Nondisclosure Agreement Return Deadline: Sept. 29, 2025 at 11:59:59 PM (CT). (Each registered team member must individually complete and sign the Release Agreement and the Nondisclosure Agreement, and return each signed document to Sponsor by the return deadline.)
- Orientation & Live Q&A Session: Oct. 2, 2025 (All registered team members should attend the Orientation & Live Q&A Session.)
- Preliminary Round Competitions: Late October. (Two (2) Teams from Mississippi State and Two (2) Teams from Ole Miss will be selected as Team Finalists in the Preliminary Round Competitions.)
- Final Round Competition Hosted by Regions: Nov. 13, 2025. (Mississippi State Team Finalists will compete against Ole Miss Team Finalists.)
Complete, sign and return the Release Agreement and the Nondisclosure Agreement.
In order to participate in the Contest, each registered team member must individually complete and sign the Release Agreement and the Nondisclosure Agreement, and return each signed document to Sponsor via email at bankofideas@regions.com on or before 09/29/25 at 11:59:59 PM (CT). You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to participate in the Contest. If you are a resident of Mississippi, and under twenty-one (21) years of age, you are considered a “Minor,” and you must also have your parent or legal guardian sign the Release Agreement and the Nondisclosure Agreement.
