News and Press Releases

Nov 07, 2002

First National Bank Wins CRA Community Impact Award

First National Bank Alaskas Distressed Communities Rural Banking Program and Assistant Vice President Dawn Coursey were awarded the prestigious Community Relations Act (CRA) Community Impact Award at the CRA & Fair Lending Colloquium in Denver Oct. 22. In winning the award the bank beat out a national field of nominees, including some of the largest banks in the U.S.

The award recognizes a CRA or community development program and the person responsible for implementing or maintaining the program within the financial institution. Programs are judged primarily by the breadth of their positive impact on low- and moderate-income communities, and secondarily by their innovation. All U.S. financial institutionsincluding banks, mortgage companies
and credit unionsare eligible to be nominated for the award.

First Nationals Distressed Communities Rural Banking Program provides needed housing to remote Alaska villages inaccessible by road systems, with the goal of alleviating the overcrowding and inadequate housing conditions in the
Arctic. Over time, the program has expanded to offer consumer and commercial banking services and financial education to rural Alaskans.

Bringing banking services to the unserved communities in rural Alaska has been a tremendous challenge, said Coursey, who oversees the program. When all is said and done though, First National has proven that providing banking services in rural Native lands can be successful on many levels.

Established in 1922, First National is Alaskas largest locally owned bank, with 27 branches throughout Alaska and ATMs in 17 rural communities.

 

Contact: Marketing Department, (907) 777-3409