We are pleased to announce Oxford Bank & Trust - Addison, IL  as our third  Community Banking Month winner!

There is no stronger act of kindness than to help others. That is why we are so glad to name Oxford Bank & Trust of Addison, IL as a Plansmith Community Banking Month award recipient. Through the Budget Assistance Program (BAP) they created, Oxford Bank & Trust and other local banks they have partnered with are able to volunteer their financial prowess to those who need it most. This program features volunteer time donated by bank employees, as well as a fund-matching program once participants have completed their session.

Through time, effort and tremendous dedication, Oxford Bank & Trust has managed to make a lasting and positive imprint on the citizens of its community.

Plansmith is honored to have Oxford Bank & Trust as our client since January 2016 and to name them a Community Banking Month award recipient. Thank you for sharing your story; your efforts are nothing short of inspiring!

Please enjoy Oxford Bank & Trust’s winning entry below:

In 2011, Oxford Bank organized a consortium of local banks to create the Budget Assistance Program (BAP) for the clients of Hope’s Front Door (HFD).  HFD is a local social service agency which offers several programs to assist individuals facing financial and/or medical crises.

BAP offers several types of free banking-related assistance to BAP clients, such as debt management, cleaning up credit reports, providing budget counseling and answering general banking questions. Oxford Bank employees join other bank volunteers to be available for one-on-one counseling sessions with HFD clients during four designated times during the week. Clients are also encouraged to build banking relationships by opening savings accounts with one of the participating banks. After completing follow-up BAP sessions, any deposits made will be matched up to $280 from funds contributed by the participating banks. BAP banks are also required to make regular donations to HFD’s general operating budget in order to participate in  the Budget Assistance Program.

As bankers, we tend to take our knowledge of banking for granted. It is gratifying to be able to de-mystify banking for our clients and to use our experience to help those who are under- or unbanked.

Oxford Bank is a $460 million community bank with six branches located in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Please check out this video that was recently put together by Hope's Front Door that highlights the organization and Oxford Bank & Trust's involvement.