Reviewed by: Patience Itson
See how this Huntsville banker is inspiring change at Girls Inc in her spare time
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Kristy Smith knows a thing or two about girls, mortgages and money management. A mother and grandmother of four, she volunteers twice a month with the Huntsville chapter of Girls Inc, helping girls build skills in budgeting and finances through a local arm of the country’s longest-running girls’ leadership program.
For Kristy, it’s a chance to combine her passion for uplifting young folks in her free time with her day job with Regions Bank in Huntsville as a mortgage production manager. And thanks to Regions’ commitment to giving back, these things go hand in hand.
See how working at Regions Bank in Huntsville helps meld Kristy’s on-the-job knowledge with a passion for helping girls in the Huntsville area strengthen their financial futures.
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How Kristy and her colleagues give back to Huntsville
Smith is a 38-year veteran of Regions Mortgage, having started her career with the company in 1988. She serves as Mortgage Production Manager for North Alabama, and, in turn, Regions has supported Girls Inc. with annual donations for several years.
“We enjoy spending time with Girls Inc., teaching financial literacy and helping the girls build financial skills that last a lifetime.
Volunteering with this organization allows us to empower girls.”
Kristy Smith, Mortgage Production Manager at Regions Bank in Huntsville
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The mortgage team at Regions Bank in Huntsville enjoys getting out in the community and giving back whenever they can. (Kristy Smith / Regions Bank)
Smith and her team volunteer twice per month, and over the summer they lead a session called “Next Steps Reality Check.” In it, they teach financial literacy to the girls, who learn about money, budgeting and handling and counting cash.
“We make it fun for the girls to learn with a cash register, playing store, teaching them budgeting basics to smart money choices.”
Kristy Smith, Mortgage Production Manager at Regions Bank in Huntsville
Eventually these exercises can translate into life skills necessary to research and select a mortgage when buying a first condominium or home, for example.
When she’s not spending time with these future financial leaders at Girls Inc, you’ll likely find Smith with her four young grandchildren, as they “keep me hopping and provide me with lots of laughter, joy and love beyond my Regions job!”
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How Regions Bank helps connect its employees with opportunities to give back
Kristy and her team aren’t the only Regions employees who enjoy volunteering: The bank encourages all of its associates to get involved with causes they hold near to their hearts. The company does so by:
- Providing a dedicated day off to volunteer: Regions’ “What a Difference a Day Makes” program provides one paid day off to volunteer with a non-profit—great for those who find their off hours full of other commitments.
- Connecting managers looking for additional volunteer opportunities: Along with team opportunities, managers are often connected with more chances to give back throughout the year.
- Celebrating volunteer efforts: Frequent employee spotlights happen all year long, but the big celebration takes place every fall with Regions’ annual Evergreen Week, which spotlights associates who go the extra mile for their teams, customers + communities.
During this year’s Evergreen Week, nearly 400 associates have been volunteering throughout Alabama, including Kristy and her team.
In addition to being a caring, service-driven place to work, Regions is connecting its associates to opportunities to give back and make a difference—during Evergreen Week and all year long.
Learn more about the extraordinary volunteer work Regions associates are doing here in Huntsville—and all across Alabama.
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