Bank of the West 2013 Annual Report Download - page 11

Community Affairs
Since 2002, Bank of the West has supported
under-resourced communities with more
than $87 billion in loans, investments and
charitable contributions. We strive to have
a positive impact through volunteerism,
philanthropy and responsible approaches
to financial services. In doing so, we aspire
to help our neighborhoods grow into vibrant
places to live and work.
“To help bridge the opportunity gap, we need
more companies like Bank of the West who think
outside the box and see the benefits of sourcing
talent from nontraditional places.”
— Jay Banfield, Executive Director, Year Up Bay Area
YEAR UP BAY AREA
Year Up Bay Area is an intensive, one-year training program
that combines hands-on skill development, college credits
and corporate internships to transform Bay Area youth
(ages 18–24) into professionals who can successfully
navigate careers they believed to be beyond their reach.
Since 2008, more than 800 young adults have been through
Year Up Bay Area’s program, with 88% employed or
attending college within four months of completion.
Bank of the West has partnered with Year Up since
2011 and continues to take on more interns each year.
Beyond internships and charitable contributions, Bank of
the West’s team members support Year Up by mentoring
youth, serving on Year Up’s leadership committees and
giving guest lectures to Year Up classes. We also named
Year Up Bay Area as a winning finalist during our 2013
Bank of the West Philanthropy Awards. We are proud
to partner with Year Up to provide opportunities for youth
and to support the organization’s mission of closing the
opportunity divide.
130K
Employee volunteer service hours
since 2010