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Build on a Decade of Impact, Advance Education
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Make Your Tax-Deductible Donation Today!
The OBA Education Foundation is building on a decade of advancing the education, development and recruitment of future Oregon bankers. Since its founding in 2013, the Foundation has helped bring commercial banking curriculum, speakers, internships and/or career awareness to three Oregon universities, reaching hundreds of students (and future bankers) each year. But we aren't stopping there. With your help, the Foundation will expand our reach across Oregon.
Through the 50 Forward >> campaign, the Foundation aims to raise $50,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024 to continue this important work. With your support, we can reach more parts of the state and more diverse students. Help us build the banking talent pipeline and inspire Oregon’s next generation of bankers by making a tax-deductible donation to the OBA Education Foundation today. |
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About Our Work
University PartnershipsThe OBA Education Foundation partners with Oregon universities to raise awareness about career opportunities in banking and to ensure the availability of commercial banking curriculum where none previously existed. The Foundation also hosts banker-student roundtable events and places interns to further engage students and enhance their understanding of, and interest in, banking careers. Working together, Oregon universities and the Foundation provide opportunities for students to enter into and excel within the banking industry. As Foundation resources grow, so will the breadth of such partnerships.
Our partnerships with Oregon universities support:
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Workforce Development
BankWork$ is a free, eight-week training course. The program is headquartered in Seattle and is operated under its umbrella organization named CareerWork$. It seeks out local workforce development nonprofit organizations to provide the financial services training courses in 13 locations across the nation, including Portland.
The program is open to anyone who is interested. There are only five criteria for applicants. They must: 1) Be 18 years of age or older 2) Have earned a high school degree or GED. 3) Be fluent in written and spoken English. 4) Possess basic computer skills. 5) Pass a background check. Most of the trainees are between the ages of 18 and 34. BankWork$ will accept an older applicant who has faced career barriers, is trying to change their life or needs help getting started. Almost 80% of the applicants are female and 83% are from communities of color. More than 70% nationally are placed in a financial services position. |
Testimonials
"We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of the OBA Education Foundation. Over the past 32 cohorts, their steadfast partnership and endorsement have empowered our program participants to progress from transitional employment to long-term career paths in the financial services industry. By doing so, they have played a crucial role in addressing the social determinants of health in our community through uplifting program participants who have faced significant workforce challenges and barriers. SE Works, WorkSource Portland Metro, Work Systems, Inc., the Portland BankWork$ Program Staff, and well over 300 Portland, Oregon BankWork$ graduates thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Johanna Redmond
CareerWork$ Programs Coordinator & Instructor
"I’ve come a long way thanks to my early exposure to commercial banking at the University of Oregon. Eleven years after graduation, I’m now a Senior Relationship Manager for Affordable Housing and a vice president at Umpqua Bank. It is hard but deeply fulfilling work."
Grace Chang
VP & Senior Relationship Manager, Affordable Housing
Umpqua Bank
"One of the biggest takeaways I got from the event was that the banking industry is incredibly diverse and has a wide array of excellent opportunities to get involved. This has made me increasingly excited to enter the industry."
University Roundtable Student Participant