DANVILLE, Va., February 7, 2023 – American National Bank & Trust announced that its Clear Checking account was officially certified by the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards (2023 – 2024). The Bank On designation ensures that consumers have access to safe and affordable financial products and services.
The Bank On National Account Standards identify critical product features for appropriate bank or credit union accounts, making it easier for local coalitions across the country to connect consumers to accounts that meet their needs.
Key features of the Clear Checking account include an opening deposit of only $25, a monthly cost of only $5, which is waived for individuals 13-24, unlimited ATM waivers when using other banks’ ATMs, and unlimited check writing.
“So much of a community’s health and vitality stems from the financial wellness of its people,” said Alex Jung, Executive Vice President and Co-Head of Banking for American National Bank & Trust’s Consumer and Financial Services. “We’re incredibly proud to have our Clear Checking account receive the Bank On certification and how it furthers our mission to provide locally minded, relationship-focused banking for everyone.”
According to the United Way, more than half of households across Southwest Virginia live below the ALICE Threshold – the minimum amount needed to meet basic needs[1]. Access to free and low-cost banking resources routinely has shown to be a pivotal first step toward financial stability.
“The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund is delighted to award its national Bank On account certification to American National Bank & Trust’s Clear Checking account,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “Clear Checking offers individuals who are looking to improve their finances a safe, affordable, and truly useful mainstream banking product to access and manage their money. American National Bank & Trust’s offering of this terrific account brings them into the forefront of national banking access efforts, and we thank them.”
American National Bank & Trust’s Clear Checking account is available at all branches in Virginia and North Carolina. With the addition of the Clear Checking, accounts that meet Bank On National Account Standards are now available at over 46,000 branches in all 50 states and Washington, DC; financial institutions with Bank On certified accounts already comprise over 56% of the national deposit market share.
Data collected by the CFE Fund in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis through Bank On’s national reporting platform shows that these accounts are meeting consumers’ needs; since their offering, millions of consumers have opened Bank On certified accounts, with approximately 85% of them opened by consumers new to the financial institutions.
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About American National Bankshares Inc.
American National is a multi-state bank holding company with total assets of approximately $3.0 billion. Headquartered in Danville, Virginia, American National is the parent company of American National Bank and Trust Company. American National Bank is a community bank serving Virginia and North Carolina with 26 banking offices. American National Bank also manages an additional $1.2 billion of trust, investment, and brokerage assets in its Wealth Division. Additional information about American National and American National Bank is available on American National’s website at www.amnb.com.
About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund)
The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience with large scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build
[1] Source: The United Way of Southwest Virginia’s Alice In Southwest Virginia: A Financial Hardship Study – 2020 Southwest Virginia Report
For more information, contact:
Carolyn B. Kiser
SVP, Director of Marketing & Community Affairs
American National Bank & Trust Company
540.278.1703