Community banking in the Garden State just got a localized boost. Hamilton-based First Bank has officially joined the nationwide Bankers Care initiative through the New Jersey Bankers Association (NJBankers), making it the premier bank in New Jersey to participate in the program.
Originally launched by the Washington Bankers Association, Bankers Care is a nationwide movement dedicated to highlighting and expanding the ways financial institutions support their neighbors—ranging from volunteerism and financial literacy education to direct support for local nonprofits and small businesses.
“Joining the Bankers Care initiative was one of the easiest decisions we’ve ever made,” Patrick Ryan, president and CEO of First Bank said. “Giving back is in our DNA as community bankers, and partnering with the New Jersey Bankers Association helps ensure we can have an even greater impact.”
To mark the launch of its engagement, representatives from First Bank and NJBankers headed straight to the community, visiting the Hamilton Area YMCA’s Sawmill branch to lead an interactive financial literacy session for local summer campers.
The campers are participants in the YMCA’s Community Camp, an innovative partnership with the Hamilton Township School District designed for children from Title I schools. Combining academic enrichment, leadership development, social-emotional learning, and swim lessons, the program gives working families access to affordable summer care while helping children build confidence and return to school ready to succeed.
During the visit, the First Bank team combined practical financial lessons with active fun, hosting a high-energy game called “The Vault” at the branch’s splash pad. Campers raced relay-style to collect multi-colored balls, which were later tallied with shifting monetary values to create an engaging, team-building learning experience.
“First Bank’s long-standing partnership with the Hamilton Area YMCA is helping change lives through Community Camp,” Ryan Young, the Hamilton Area YMCA’s Chief Operating Officer said. “Together, we provide children with a safe, enriching summer where they build confidence, develop life skills, and return to school ready to succeed.”
As the first New Jersey institution to step into the Bankers Care fold, First Bank is setting a precedent for how local banks can visibly invest in their surrounding communities.
“Programs such as this are at the heart of what Bankers Care is all about,” Brittany Wheeler, NJBankers vice president and director of Government Affairs, said. “It’s about bankers giving back to the communities where they live and work, reaching out to their neighbors and ensuring all New Jersey residents have access to the programs, services and supports to help them thrive.”
