#55: From Elementary School Principal to Community Development Banker

“One of the things that are appealing to me about being a Community Reinvestment Officer is helping those who are underserved,” says Melvin Hugans, a Community Reinvestment Officer at Thomasville National Bank. In honor of National Financial Capability Month, where financial institutions and organizations support programs that promote economic empowerment, host Linda Ezuka interviews Melvin Hugans on his life as a CRA officer. A retired elementary school principal with a history of non-profit community work, Melvin is now on a mission to educate America’s youth on the benefits of financial literacy.With debt on the rise in America, people need financial literacy more than ever. Understanding this all too well, Melvin works to educate young people on how they can start saving and create spending plans now. Through Thomasville National Bank, a company whose mission is to promote economic development in their community, Melvin can continue doing what he loves while bettering the lives of others. Tune into this week’s episode of CRA Podcast for a meaningful conversation on financial literacy education. Learn more about Melvin’s transition into the CRA profession, how Thomasville National Bank serves its community, and the importance of staying committed to your mission all year.The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) encourages banks to invest in and deploy financial literacy efforts in their communities. If you would like to learn more about the intersection between banks, the CRA, financial literacy, and how to join their efforts, visit the Community Developments Fact Sheet from the OCC. Financial capability resource from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.Melvin Hugans has served as the Thomasville National Bank Community Reinvestment Officer for 2 years. He has a long history of involvement in community non-profits in the communities where TNB branches are located. Prior to assuming the role as the Community Reinvestment Officer, Melvin retired as an elementary school principal. The relationships he established as a principal have helped him grow in his role as a community reinvestment officer. TNB is a regulated by the OCC and has 1.3 Billon dollars in assets.Links:Thomasville National Bank: https://tnbank.com/about-usCommunity Developments Fact Sheet: https://www.occ.gov/publications-and-resources/publications/community-affairs/community-developments-fact-sheets/pub-fact-sheet-financial-capability-jan-2019.pdfFor more information on the CRA Hub, a membership for bankers to connect, inspire, and master the art of CRA: https://cratoday.com/hub/ CRA Today Website: https://cratoday.com/ Linda Ezuka, LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-ezuka-cra-today/Copyright © 2022 by CRA Today LLC(No claim to original U.S. government material)All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author and publisher.This podcast is a periodic publication of CRA Today LLC and is intended to notify and inspire recipients of new developments in the Community Reinvestment Act. It should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult your own attorney concerning your situation and specific legal questions you have.Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm