Thursday, June 23, 2005

Area businesses can help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southcentral Kentucky by allowing BB&T to present their new BB&T@Work program to employees.

The bank will give the organization $50 for every business in Bowling Green, Glasgow or Russellville that takes part.

The program is being coordinated locally by Jacob Walters, a Relationship banker at BB&Ts Fairview office.

The first thing we do is contact a business and talk to the owners or human resource people about whether they want to offer the @Work program to employees, he said. At that point, if they agree, they allow us to present the program to employees. Its a free program. We either do a presentation to the employees or prepare some sort of informational packet that is distributed through their human resource department or management.

Through the BB&T@Work program, employees are offered a free checking account at BB&T as well as discounts on loans and other services. There is no cost to the company but employees must be paid by direct deposit to qualify.

Since the program is on a 90-day trial basis, BB&T is focusing on current clients for its potential @Work program candidates.

Walters said the program could have a significant impact on the club.

Our target is at least $2,500-$3,000 which will require about 50 to 60 presentations, he said. I feel like we could greatly exceed that but well have to just see how it goes. Ive personally already done five presentations.

According to Scott Gary, vice president and Financial Center leader for BB&T in Bowling Green, there are 41 branches in the western Kentucky region. Business clients at any of these branches can participate. Gary said its a promotional initiative to raise the companys profile as well as to support a worthwhile community program.

One of the services we talk about with our clients is assistance with payroll services and employee benefit services, he said. If we become a work partner with a business client, then we can offer banking products in the form of a premium package. This program is a benefit that an employer can hand off to employees. Direct deposit is a very cost effective way and more efficient way of administering payroll. And for consumers, direct deposit means no more waiting in line at the teller and no more lost or stolen checks.

Thomas Pope, business deposit officer vice president for BB&Ts Western Kentucky region, said the companys goal is to do 100 total presentations regionally. Depending on the programs success, it could possibly be rolled out in a company-wide initiative. He said about $750 has been raised so far but expects the frequency of presentations to pick up into July and August. The program started May 15. Picking Big Brothers Big Sisters as the program benefactor had a lot to do with the groups mission, he said.

We were looking for a charity that had BB&Ts corporate values, Pope said. One that was family-oriented. We picked Big Brothers Big Sisters because they are universally known and involve kids and they were present in all the communities we market in throughout western Kentucky.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has been operating for nearly 100 years nationally as a social service to area youth, according to program director Brian Becker. The group has been involved locally for 30 years. Becker, who has been with the organization for 21/2 years, said the club gets most of its funding through fund-raising, contributions and grants. He said this was the first partnership the club has had with BB&T through this kind of program.

Were promoting it as well as we can on our side through our volunteers and board members, he said.

Becker said the effort is part of successful partnership the club has with community businesses and individuals.

There are a lot of charitable individuals in the area, Becker said. Im just so amazed at how well were able to perform with the support we get from the community. The BB&T@Work program is a very creative and innovative way to provide charitable assistance.

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