Making an Impact is a new column in Exchange featuring community banks making a difference in their communities. If you know of a bank program that should be featured, contact IBA Editor Emily Saveraid at 800.532.1423 or email esaveraid@iowabankers.com
Shelby County State Bank “Pays for A’s”
It pays to get A’s at Shelby County State Bank. Launched in the fall of 2005 the Pays for A’s program gives area students the opportunity to win scholarship money just for earning an “A” on a quarterly report card. This program has become an important part of the community as well as being uniquely beneficial for the bank.
Students in middle school through high school are invited to bring their quarterly report cards in to any Shelby County State Bank location to be eligible for the scholarship. For each “A” grade that is earned, students are entered into a drawing. At semester, a drawing is held and a $100 scholarship savings account is awarded to a student in each of the four area high schools. At the end of the year, all of the entries are put into a grand prize drawing for a $1,000 scholarship savings account.
These scholarships are actually accounts opened at Shelby County State Bank. Students are not required to be bank customers in order to be eligible but often remain customers after they receive the scholarship.
“This program has been a great way to reward the scholastic achievements of students in our area,” said Janet Buman, Marketing Officer at Shelby County State Bank and the organizer for the program. “It’s also a great way for our bank to get our name out there and bring young people into the bank.”
In addition, each time a student brings in their report card, they earn a gift certificate to Burger King, all of which are generously donated by the restaurant.
“Burger King donated everything,” said Buman. “They jumped right on board and we are extremely appreciative.”
The program, which is in its second year has been well-received by the community.
“I hear from parents all the time about what a great program it is,” Buman said. “School principals and counselors also tell me that they think it really helps to encourage students.”
“The first year we did the program, I said ‘Let’s try it!’ and it’s been so successful we’ve barely had to make any changes.”
“We’re really enjoyed this program,” said Roger Claypool, president of Shelby County State Bank. “It’s really gotten the youth involved and it’s been fun to watch the participation of the kids in our communities. It also really promotes education, which is something that we truly value.”
The program has also received recognition for its work, winning a Gold Award in the Community Service category of the 2006 Best of Iowa Marketing Awards.
“We’re really happy with this program,” said Buman. “It has truly been beneficial not only to our bank but to our communities as well.”
For more information on the Pays for A’s program, contact Shelby County State Bank’s Janet Buman at 712.755.5112.
Cutline: Pays for A’s grand prize winner, Taylor Assmann of Panama, Iowa is awarded the Grand Prize Check from Shelby County State Bank President Roger Claypool (right). Taylor’s an 8th grader from Shelby County Catholic Schools and will be a freshman at Harlan Community High School in the fall.
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