Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is no longer a “nice-to-have” – it’s a strategic imperative for financial institutions. According to Deloitte, 77% of employees consider a company’s commitment to social good when deciding where to work, and nearly 9 in 10 Americans say they would switch brands to one associated with a good cause. In the banking sector, employee volunteering is one of the most authentic and effective ways to live out your company’s values while strengthening local communities.

Why Employee Volunteering Matters in the Banking Sector

Employee volunteering is a powerful way for banks to foster stronger communities while cultivating internal culture and meeting compliance and CSR goals. Here’s why it matters more than ever.

• Strengthens Community Ties: Banks are deeply embedded in their local communities. Volunteering allows employees to build relationships with individuals and nonprofits that your institution supports, increasing trust and loyalty.
• Boosts Employee Engagement: Employee volunteering has been linked to higher morale, lower turnover, and stronger company culture. People want to work for organizations that reflect their values.
• Drives CRA Credit Opportunities: Strategic volunteering—particularly related to financial education or community development—can help banks earn Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit.

Unique Employee Volunteer Ideas for Banks

Looking to inspire your team and support your community? These creative volunteer ideas can help your bank take action in a meaningful way.

Financial Literacy & Education

• Host a Financial Education Workshop: Empower local youth or adults with basic financial skills.
• Mentor Students at Local Schools: Encourage employees to participate in career days or after-school programs to discuss budgeting, saving, and investing.
• Volunteer at Tax Prep Sites: Employees can assist with free tax filing for low-income families, offering valuable support during tax season.

Community Revitalization

• Organize a Neighborhood Clean-Up: Bring teams together to beautify local parks, streets, or schools – perfect for a quick win that builds pride and visibility.
• Partner with Local Housing Organizations: Volunteer with organizations like Habitat for Humanity to assist with builds or repairs in underserved communities.

Skills-Based Volunteering

• Offer Pro-Bono Financial Consulting: Employees can lend their expertise to small business owners, nonprofits, or individuals in financial distress.
• Support Local Entrepreneurs: Partner with business incubators or schools to offer resume reviews, interview coaching, or budgeting advice.

Virtual & Flexible Options

• Remote Financial Education Mentoring: Use EVERFI’s virtual tools to guide students or adult learners through modules at their own pace.
• Letter-Writing Campaigns or Donation Drives: Allow employees to give back from anywhere, especially useful for remote or hybrid teams.

Tips for Encouraging Employee Participation

Even the best ideas won’t succeed without employee engagement. These tips can help you build a culture where volunteering is encouraged and celebrated.

• Make it Part of the Culture: Recognize and reward volunteerism in performance reviews or internal shoutouts. Leadership participation is key.
• Offer Paid Volunteer Time Off: Give employees dedicated hours each year to volunteer on the clock.
• Create Team-Based Opportunities: Organize quarterly volunteer days to turn service into a bonding experience.
• Communicate Impact: Share stories and outcomes of employee volunteering regularly to foster pride and momentum.

For more ideas, check out 5 Ways to Get Employees Involved in CRA Opportunities.

Measuring the Impact of Your Bank’s Employee Volunteering Initiatives

Tracking your impact not only helps with reporting and compliance but also drives ongoing participation and long-term support from leadership. Consider the following metrics when evaluating the success of your volunteer programs:

• Employee Participation Rates: How many employees volunteered, and how often?
• Total Volunteer Hours: Especially valuable for CRA reporting.
• Community Outcomes: Number of people educated, meals served, or events hosted.
• Employee Engagement Metrics: Survey results before and after volunteer events.
• Brand Perception: Monitor community sentiment or social media mentions.

Bank Employee Volunteering in Action: Real World Examples

Home Bank’s approach to employee volunteering comes from a recognition that community involvement is not just philanthropic, it’s strategic. Understanding how different generations—from Gen Z to Baby Boomers—interact with financial services shapes how Home Bank empowers employees to give back.

Home Bank’s employee volunteer opportunities are not only ways to support the community, but also as initiatives that drive employee engagement, customer loyalty, and brand trust. From financial literacy workshops to local revitalization projects, volunteering at Home Bank is seen as essential to doing business well in a globally connected—but locally grounded—society.

Build a Successful Employee Volunteer Program

EVERFI works with financial institutions to power scalable, impactful employee volunteer programs—especially those focused on financial education. Whether your team is hosting a community workshop, mentoring students, or supporting adults navigating credit and budgeting challenges, we provide the resources, reporting, and training to ensure every volunteer effort is a success. Our programs are designed to align with CRA guidelines and can be implemented virtually or in person, giving your employees the flexibility to make an impact on their own schedule.

Volunteering through financial education not only strengthens your brand’s presence in the community—it creates lasting, measurable change in people’s lives. Explore our financial education programs and learn how we can help you build a volunteer initiative that drives engagement, earns CRA credit, and makes a real difference.