The American Bankers Association Foundation named Pathward, formerly known as MetaBank, a winner of its 2022 Community Commitment Award. The award recognizes Pathward’s Community Impact Program in the Volunteerism category. The Foundation presented the award to Pathward during the ABA’s Annual Convention on Oct. 4 in Austin, Texas. Award winners were chosen by a field of nationally recognized experts.

Launched in 2021, Pathward’s Community Impact Program partners with organizations that provide resources for the unbanked and underbanked and aid historically marginalized populations. Through corporate giving, employee volunteer activities, and charitable investments, the Community Impact Program delivers on Pathward’s purpose of powering financial inclusion for all™ by lifting up the communities Pathward serves. In the first year of the program, Pathward tallied nearly $700,000 in charitable investments, 4,096 total employee volunteer hours tracked and 740 hours of paid time off for volunteering.

“At Pathward, we believe in creating lasting, positive change within the communities where we live and operate,” said Anthony Sharett, Pathward’s President. “Our Community Impact Program has led to fruitful partnerships with community stakeholders and organizations that are providing wraparound services for those in need. I’m proud of our employees who have worked so hard to serve their communities and promote economic mobility in the spirit of our purpose. We are honored to accept this award for the team’s collective efforts.”

The ABA selection committee chose the winning banks based on the creativity and thoughtfulness of programs — traditional or innovative in nature and structure — that embody the ideals of corporate social responsibility and demonstrate success in measurable terms.

“We received many strong entries this year, but Pathward and its Community Impact Program stood out among the pack,” said Lindsay Torrico, executive director, ABA Foundation. “It’s wonderful to see an organization identify a need within its community and immediately get to work. We applaud Pathward for its unwavering commitment to community and hope others throughout the industry will be inspired to give back and drive community change.”